Published May 9, 2025
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences

This May, the College of Health Sciences is celebrating its seventh cohort of Outstanding Seniors. The designation of CHS Outstanding Senior is awarded to ten graduating seniors in the College each academic year. These students are selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal excellence, and positive impact on the College of Health Sciences. This year, CHS will recognize students in a special ceremony to take place on the UTEP campus.

The 2025 College of Health Sciences Outstanding Seniors include:

Yasmin Abukhurma (Public Health): Yasmin’s most meaningful experiences at UTEP revolved around her internship at Sun City Dietitians. There, she discovered a passion for research in epigenetics, specifically in the area of obesity. While shadowing dieticians during consultations with clients, Yasmin also conducted her own research, which combines the science of epigenetics with nutrition to ultimately suppress the obesity gene.

While honing her professional skills in both research and patient communication through the internship, Yasmin also balanced a full schedule of classes. She says keeping her grades up was no small feat – at one point, she struggled with difficult concepts in a few of her classes. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she adopted a growth mindset, taking advantage of office hours and revising her study habits to ultimately achieve her goal of A’s in the courses. She says that viewing obstacles as opportunities instead of setbacks, and pushing through them, no matter the circumstance, kept her on track throughout her degree. Like a diamond, she has been shaped through pressure. Yasmin is on track to graduate this spring summa cum laude, with an impressive 4.0 GPA. She will also serve as the University Banner Bearer in the spring commencement ceremony.

After graduation, Yasmin intends to continue her education and enroll in a dietetics program. Ultimately, she hopes to become a registered dietician and open her own practice where she can assist children and parents who struggle with obesity. She also hopes to continue her research in epigenetics and highlight the need for continued research in the field.

Austin Blake (Rehabilitation Sciences: Physical Therapy concentration): From the beginning of his academic career, Austin followed the saying “You get out what you put in.” He jumped into an experience as a peer leader for the Chemistry Department, where he tutored fellow students and became a published author for a revised Chemistry workbook, ultimately presenting his work at the Peer-Led Team Learning International Society. While the experiences undoubtedly shaped Austin professionally, he says the most valuable part was learning that his choice to be in a helping profession was the right one. As his confidence grew, Austin decided to join three student clubs, and took on the responsibility of fundraising chair for the Student Association of Rehabilitation Sciences (STARS). The struggle to balance his full calendar and dedicate time to family and friends became real. To overcome the challenge, he created a set schedule for all of his activities and stuck to it. Austin graduated summa cum laude in December 2024 with an impressive 4.0 GPA and also served as the Undergraduate College Banner Bear for the fall ceremony.

Austin’s next adventure is to complete his doctor of physical therapy degree. He has been accepted into the UTEP DPT program and will begin this summer. His long-term goal is to open his own practice, where he can combine his love of fitness with physical therapy. He also hopes to continue to be involved with the Pre-Physical Therapy Association and STARS so he can share his experiences and mentor aspiring PT students.

James-Paul Duran (Rehabilitation Sciences: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences concentration): James-Paul describes his experience in Dr. Gregory Schober’s research lab as the most impactful of his academic career. During his two years in the lab, he had the opportunity to build a research idea from the ground up, and ultimately presented his project at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

As his research interests shifted to food insecurity, he collaborated with Dr. Eva Moya on developing keychains with campus resources for fellow students as well as the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs to support the mobile food pantry on campus. While developing as an undergraduate scholar, James-Paul also grew in his leadership roles with the Student Government Association (SGA), beginning as a Senator-at-Large and ultimately being elected as the Collegiate Senator for the College of Health Sciences. His legacy at CHS also includes having graduated magna cum laude in December 2024 as the first student with an Interdisciplinary Health Sciences concentration in the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences degree. This pathway will open the door for future students to pursue programs such as medical school, physician assistant studies, and respiratory care while also gaining a broader perspective on healthcare.

James-Paul will continue his academic journey at UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he will pursue his physician assistant degree. His long-term goal is to create a strong pipeline of aspiring PAs at UTEP by offering shadowing opportunities and summer internships at his own practice. 

Samantha Garcia (Rehabilitation Sciences: Physical Therapy concentration): Like many of her peers, Samantha felt a calling to serve the community that shaped her. Through her participation in a research project on improvement of balance, gait and quality of life in Hispanic elderly populations, she was able to gain insight into her future career as a rehabilitation therapist as well as the importance of integrating culturally relevant interventions. As part of the Neurological Disorders and Stress Management Lab, Samantha wrote multiple literature reviews targeting minority populations with multiple sclerosis, which ultimately led to a publication in the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation. With the help of her peers, her research on minority populations was also shared at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and UTEP’s Viva la Salud Health Disparities conference.

While juggling a demanding schedule of academics and a job as an undergraduate assistant in the College of Health Sciences Dean’s Office, Samantha also took on leadership roles as the historian for the Student Association of Rehabilitation Sciences and secretary for the Pre-Physical Therapy Association. These experiences helped her to hone her communication and time-management skills as well as her creativity. Shortly before the fall 2024 semester, Samantha also became her grandmother’s primary caretaker while her grandmother was in hospice. During this time, she leaned her true strength and how to embrace every moment, never letting little things overcome her from that point forward.

Samantha is on track to graduate summa cum laude this spring. She will also serve as the College of Health Sciences Banner Bearer at the spring commencement ceremony. This summer, she will begin the UTEP Doctor of Physical Therapy program. After graduating with her clinical doctorate, she plans to pursue a residency or a physician assistant degree.

Alejandra Ochoa Alvarado (Rehabilitation Sciences: Occupational Therapy concentration): Alejandra’s time in the College of Health Sciences was shaped by multiple opportunities for service to others. As a Peer Career Advisor at the University Career Center, she spent countless hours working with other students to hone their professional skills and prepare them for their future careers. She also served her community as a volunteer for the Teen Survivor program, creating activities and presentations aimed at developing healthy coping strategies for area children and pre-teens.

In addition to her campus employment and volunteer work, Alejandra was part of the Experimental Pain Research Laboratory. There, she honed her critical thinking and technical skills by learning about chronic pain and the sociocultural impact of pain on individuals living in the border community. She also co-authored an abstract that ultimately earned recognition at the largest undergraduate research conference in the nation, NCUR. Alejandra’s biggest challenge was learning how to become resilient in the face of managing her multiple responsibilities while also coping with a chronic anxiety disorder. She says that overcoming this challenge taught her to self-advocate and allowed her to gain authentic empathy, qualities that will ultimately help her fulfill her purpose in life.  

Alejandra is on track to graduate magna cum laude this spring. After graduation, she intends to pursue her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree and become a clinician focusing on underserved populations.

Hazel Padilla (Clinical Laboratory Science): Hazel’s start at UTEP was a bit rocky. Upon beginning her studies, she felt a lack of belonging. That changed dramatically after joining biology professor Dr. Giulio Francia’s research laboratory, where she met a small community of like-minded STEM students. She began thriving and growing as a scientist, serving as a student assistant and immersing herself in studies on metranomic chemotherapy for metastatic cancer. After moving into her upper division Clinical Laboratory Science studies, Hazel found her network growing even larger. As a CLS student, she was actively involved in community service, participating in UTEP’s Project Move, and the Get Involved and Well Being Fairs and HOPE+ initiative. She says her interaction with clients at the health fairs not only allowed her to put her clinical skills into practice, but also opened her eyes to the health disparities present within the El Paso community. While there, she was able to assist clients with the interpretation of their health screenings and provide them with recommendations to improve their health.

As Hazel’s confidence grew, she began representing the program at UTEP’s Orange and Blue Day, speaking with high school students and their families about the tremendous support system available. In this role, she also shared how the program integrates internships in the final year of study to link student knowledge with practical applications. Her own experiences at the Hospitals of Providence and University Medical Center opened up opportunities to network with different providers, equipping her for a successful future in the healthcare workforce.

Hazel is on track to graduate summa cum laude this spring with an outstanding 4.0 GPA. After graduation, she intends to take her ASCP certification and start working in El Paso as a clinical laboratory scientist. In the future, she hopes to work as a clinical researcher and foster the success of future CLS students by serving as a preceptor.

David Reveles (Kinesiology: Exercise Science concentration): Like many of his peers who ended their high school years during the COVID pandemic, David initially struggled in his transition to college. But he learned to adapt to the structured environment by joining study groups and dedicating more time to reviewing lectures, an effort that ultimately led him to earn and maintain high grades. While balancing his school schedule, David also volunteered at the MiNER Laboratory and Biomechanics Laboratory. There, he worked alongside graduate students and faculty, collecting data and interacting with research participants. He says the most rewarding part of it all was the opportunity to help clients learn more about their bodies and help improve their health.

Along with his volunteer work, David also held a part-time job in the Human Resources Department at Socorro Independent School District. He says his time with SISD reminded him why he loves working with people and also reinforced how important it is to create positive, supportive environments. These skills will be crucial in his future career as a physical therapist, where building trust and helping others feel cared for will be his top priorities.

After graduating summa cum laude in December 2024, David took a semester off from school to prepare himself for his next step. He will begin the UTEP Doctor of Physical Therapy program this summer. He hopes to specialize in pediatric physical therapy and sees himself practicing in a community with a large Hispanic population. He also plans to stay connected to UTEP by mentoring future students or working on community projects.

Brianna Rizo (Rehabilitation Sciences: Occupational Therapy concentration): Two chronic health diagnoses during Brianna’s senior year in high school made it challenging for her to plan for her future. At a time when she was supposed to feel invincible, her body provided constant reminders of its limitations. Yet despite the significant challenges, and with the support of her family, Brianna decided to shift her mindset, learning to view her conditions as part of her identify, and she set her sights on a career in health care.

During her time at UTEP, Brianna balanced her academics with meaningful extracurricular experiences, including volunteering in the UTEP NeuroExcel laboratory. As one of the few Spanish speakers in the lab, Brianna was able to provide a space for Spanish-speaking stroke survivors to share their experiences. She says the value of this went far beyond just effective communication; it provided a sense of connection during a time of significant change in the survivors’ lives, a feeling that resonated deeply with her on a personal level. Another pivotal experience for Brianna was volunteering at Compadres Therapy. There, she was inspired not only by an occupational therapist, but also by the clients themselves, as they experienced the therapeutic benefits of hippotherapy. She quickly learned that her passion for horses and occupational therapy could intersect in a meaningful way.

Brianna graduated summa cum laude in December 2024 and also served as the undergraduate student marshal for the fall ceremony. She is currently in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy program at Baylor University and hopes to work in a clinical setting where she can help patients with chronic pain and mental health conditions. She also hopes to serve as a mentor to future OT students.

Aliyah Sanchez (Rehabilitation Sciences: Speech-Language Hearing concentration): Aliyah says that taking Dr. Vannesa Mueller’s SPLP 1300 American Sign Language Rehabilitation course was one of the best decisions she’s ever made. While she was initially hesitant, remarking that the class put her way out of her comfort zone, it ultimately sparked a love for ASL and the deaf community that has become the cornerstone of her journey at UTEP.

Shortly after taking the ASL Rehabilitation course, Aliyah noticed something was missing – there wasn’t a space where students interested in American Sign Language could meet. So, she decided to create Everyone Signs, the first ASL club on campus, with the goal of bringing awareness to the language and the deaf community, as well as the importance of access to communication. What started as a simple idea turned into a passionate project, and students now meet to practice signing and learn about deaf culture. Working with people from different cultures and perspectives helped her understand how language and accessibility impact our daily lives.

In addition to her role as founder of Everyone Signs, Aliyah also served as the fundraising officer for the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association. Her service to both organizations honed her communication, organization and leadership skills, and made her time at UTEP not just about academics, but also about community and purpose.

Aliyah is on track to graduate magna cum laude this summer. Following graduation, she intends to pursue a master’s degree in speech-language pathology, with a special focus on bilingualism and integration of ASL into therapeutic practices. She intends to continue supporting the development of Everyone Signs by helping future leaders grow the organization and developing community partnerships, guest workshops and alumni events.

Norma Sandoval (Social Work): Norma’s path to a degree in social work had an unlikely start in environmental science. While she was enjoying what she was learning, she felt out of place and had a difficult time making meaningful connections. The COVID pandemic provided her with an opportunity for reflection, and she decided to reconnect with her love for volunteerism and community work. She applied to the Bachelor of Social Work program, was accepted, and never looked back.

During her time in the BSW program, Norma began surrounding herself with people who shared her passions. She became comfortable being in her own skin, and decided to grow her leadership skills. She founded Bringing Awareness to Mental Health student organization, which aims to improve the stigma surrounding mental health conditions, and educates students on local resources. In her role in BAMH, Norma coordinated with local agencies to create free events for students including art therapy, sound bath sessions, yoga, and educational presentations on mental health. She feels most grateful for having had the opportunity to create a safe space on campus where students can connect with others.

During her senior-year internship, Norma discovered a passion for working with geriatric populations. By navigating the challenges of casework with older adults, she learned that every older adult deserves to age with dignity, independence, health and respect. She realized that much more can be done, and looks forward to being involved in the future.

Norma is on track to graduate cum laude this spring and will return to UTEP to begin the Master of Social Work program. She hopes to continue her work with BAMH as an MSW student and hopes to host a mental health fair for students on campus before she graduates.

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