Member Directory

Expertise/Goals

My research program is community centered. I have conducted studies focusing on childhood obesity in diverse early childhood contexts, low-income, and U.S. Latino families. For example, I have engaged in research activities with participants in: (a) Flea markets and Laundromats in low-income community settings in San Antonio, TX; (b) Hispanic Church settings in San Antonio, Texas; (c) Family child care settings, and Hispanic family homes in East-Central Illinois; (d) Low-resourced child- and health-care settings abroad (Eastern Mexican and Sub-Saharan populations); (e) and Low-income neighborhoods in the greater Boston area. Conducting research in these contexts is critical for a number of reasons, including: (a) Targeting participants otherwise underrepresented in research; (b) Better understanding the social and neighborhood conditions affecting human health in certain communities (i.e., access to health promoting features, walkability); and (c) Embracing the multistage process to logistically conduct the research (i.e., building rapport and establishing partnerships, documenting process). As an aspiring member of the Cornell Center for Health Equity, I hope to share my experiences in promoting equitable health among priority populations with affiliated members of the center through networking, collaborations, and education.