CHS Students Discover Passion for Research during MHIRT Internships
Published August 11, 2022
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences
In late July, the 2021-22 cohort of the MHIRT program arrived back in El Paso after completing their summer research internships at partner institutions in Panama. The MHIRT program, a university-wide initiative administered by the College of Health Sciences, prepares UTEP students across all major health disciplines for an intensive summer research experience focusing on health disparities. The 2022 cohort included four CHS students, including Jimena Fernandez (senior Public Health major), Kelsey Hernandez (senior Clinical Laboratory Sciences major), Vi Nguyen (senior Clinical Laboratory Sciences major), and Jorge Rossell (Master of Social Work major).
Hernandez said the opportunity to conduct research abroad and help others first drew her attention to the MHIRT program. Upon her arrival in Panama, she was surprised to learn about the country’s diverse cultures. While there, Hernandez also had her first experience conducting research as an intern at INDICASAT, assisting other researchers with a project about health issues associated with ticks in Panamanian cattle. She said that this introductory experience was exciting and motivational, and allowed her to achieve a dream of assisting others experiencing health disparities.
“I learned that I’m more capable than I thought,” she said. “I felt encouraged to keep going and am looking forward to my next research opportunity.”
Fellow MHIRT participant Jimena Fernandez echoed Ramirez’s sentiments regarding using research to serve the underserved, adding that as a Hispanic woman, she was particularly drawn to the opportunity. During her internship at la Unidad Clinica in INDICASAT-AIP, Fernandez worked on the literature review for a project that is part of the Panama Aging Research Initiative, a cohort study that aims to examine the association between multidimensional health disadvantages and late-life cognition in older adults in Panama. She focused specifically on sex differences related to frailty among older Panamanians.
In addition to the hands-on experience that she gained through her work with other researchers, Fernandez noticed positive changes in her personal skills.
“Getting out of my comfort zone impacted me so much,” she said. “Being in Panama helped me realize that being outside my bubble is okay. I met new people, learned about other cultures, and increased my knowledge about health disparities among Panamanian residents. I faced challenges that I didn’t think I would be able to overcome, but I did.”
After graduation, both Hernandez and Fernandez plan to pursue graduate degrees in public health and continue on a research path. Fernandez said she would like to take some time prior to beginning her graduate degree to gain professional experience, but upon her return, will focus her research on Hispanic women’s health.
Hernandez said that she would highly encourage other students thinking about applying for MHIRT, where she first discovered her passion for health disparities research.
“Definitely take the risk and get out of your comfort zone,” she said. “MHIRT will help you grow as a person and, of course, as an excellent student.”
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Go Miners!
For more information about the MHIRT program, please visit: https://www.utep.edu/chs/mhirt/index.htm