Bioergonomics Lab Team
Director
Dr. Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia
Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences
gabmejia@utep.edu
Faculty Profile
Associate Professors
Dr. Daniel Conde
Adjunct Faculty, Physical Therapy
Research: Tendon inflammation; endothelial function; artery bioprinting
Skills: Cell culture; genomic and proteomic analysis; 3D bioprinting
Fun Fact: I teach a human anatomy cadaver lab.
daconde@utep.edu
Postdoctoral Associates
Doctoral Students
Manuel Gomez
Major: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Project: Working on dissertation project
Skills: Data science, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, flow mediated dilation, tonometry, pulse wave analysis and velocity, venous occlusion plethysmography
Fun Fact: Researcher by day, Spiderman at night.
Fernanda Lugo
Major: Environmental Science and Engineering
Research Project: Coordinator for Citizen Science Project Branches to Roots, Ecocrafts class facilitator
Skills: Environmental and economic reform advocacy, certified yoga teacher, artist and muralist facilitator, aspiring master naturalist and permaculture gardener
Fun Fact: I'm exploring meditation and the benefits of ice baths.
Michelle Martinez
Major: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Research Project: Well-being and medication adherence in rural communities
Skills: Hispanic health, rural health, social determinants of health, cultural competency, health communication
Fun Fact: I am passionate about exploring new cities and catching live concerts.
Shaila Nazneen
Major: PhD Candidate in Environmental Science and Engineering, MPH
Project: Impact of environmental pollutants on maternal and child health
Skills: GIS, GEO ML and DL, big data mining, statistical analysis, geospatial analysis
Fun Fact: My ultimate goal is to travel around the world and explore.
Benjamin Ojo
Major: Environmental Science and Engineering
Project: Geospatial modeling of outdoor co-exposure to particulate matter pollution and heat, and the associated kidney diseases in Texas
Skills: GIS; geo-AI, statistical analysis, research writing
Fun Fact: I like to travel and explore new places and listen to Christian songs.
Richard P. Petri, Jr.
Major: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Project:The Effect of Targeted Traditional Chinese Medicine Duality Principles on Western Pain Management: A Cultural Paradigm Exploration
Skills: Physical medicine an rehabilitation, pain management, integrative medicine, educator, clinician, administrator, military veteran
Fun Fact: I'm a former competitive body builder and a world traveler of over 60 countries.
Graduate Students
Anahi Avila
Major: Master of Public Health
Research Project: Behavioral and dietary predictive factors of vitamin D deficiency in outdoor workers: An analytical cross-sectional study in El Paso, TX
Skills: Organizational skills, team player, open to learning new perspectives, 12 years of experience working in pediatric nutrition
Fun Fact: I love listening to all kinds of music; live music is my happy place!
Omar Cano
Major: Master of Public Health
Research Project: Detecting early physiological signs of work-related muscle strain and fatigue using quantitative sensory testing
Skills: Data analysis, laboratory experience in RTQPCR, pain pressure threshold (PPT), thermal threshold testing (TTT)
Fun Fact: I play softball on the weekends and am a big baseball and Yankees fan.
Yazmin Curtis
Major: Master of Public Health
Research Project: The association of perceived state-of-change and substance use disorder risk
Skills: Data analysis, EMR systems, Microsoft Certified, SPSS, medical assistant, research assistant, systematic reviews
Fun Fact: I am obsessed with coffee and plan to open a cafe in the future as my retirement plan.
Valeria Fontes
Major: Master of Public Health
Research Project: A cross-sectional study conducted to assess the prevalence of diabetes risk factors among landscaping workers in El Paso, TX
Skills: Data analysis, clinical research, cellular biology, ethical awareness, patient care
Fun Fact: I do indoor cycling during my free time and am a skincare enthusiast.
Josdell Guerra-Ruiz
Major: Master of Public Health
Research Project: Exploratory proxy occupational health risk assessment on PM2.5 exposure among outdoor personnel at international ports of entry
Skills: Environmental and occupational health, data analysis, 3DSSPP, risk assessment, exposure
Fun Fact: I am a black belt in Taekwondo.
Johnathan Gutierrez
Major: Master of Public Health
Research Project:Gathering perspectives on food insecurity, perceived stress, and added sugars among students at The University of Texas at El Paso
Skills: Environmental advocacy, analytical skills, systems thinking, PCR, data analysis, community outreach, program intervention development
Fun Fact: I'm an outdoor hiking and trail running enthusiast, and I enjoy spending time with my dogs.
Undergraduate Students
Alumni
Rachel Elliott, BS in Public Health
Bioergonomics Lab Alum
Project: Monitoring PM2.5 Concentrations at International Border Crossings and Occupational Health Risk Assessments
Skills: CPR, BLC, CPI, Certified Diabetes Awareness Advocate, assess vitals, PowerPoint, Microsoft Suite
Fun Fact: I am obsessed with pink and Hello Kitty.
