Meet The Team
Director
Dr. Alfonso Rojas Alvarez
Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences
Specialization: Health disparities, chronic disease (diabetes), aging, public health policy, data science
ajrojasalvarez@utep.edu
Faculty Profile
Postdoctoral Fellows
Dr. Eduardo Cabrero-Castro
Postdoctoral Fellow
Specialization: Cognitive aging in older adults, socioeconomic disparities in health outcomes, and healthcare access and utilization among older populations.
jecabrer@utmb.edu
Bio
Graduate Students
Marissa Gonzalez
Research Assistant
About: Marissa Gonzalez is a public health professional and U.S. Air Force veteran with over a decade of experience in emergency and global health. Her expertise spans project management, emergency preparedness and response, mental and behavioral health, and policy advocacy, with a strong passion for veterans’ health and addressing systemic inequities. Dedicated to lifelong learning, Marissa is completing her Master's in Public Health and pursuing a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). She envisions creating sustainable programs, shaping health policy, and serving as an advocate for vulnerable communities worldwide.
mgonzalez130@miners.utep.edu
Karena Steele
Research Assistant
About: Karena Steele, a former American Red Cross volunteer at WBMAC, is committed to serving the El Paso-Juarez border community through health policy and education. As a first-generation Hispanic female graduate student in the Public Health program, she is dedicated to addressing women's health disparities, with a particular interest in reproductive health and rights. She is eager to expand her expertise and forge partnerships with community organizations to create a lasting and meaningful impact.
khsteele@miners.utep.edu
