FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work Impact Report 2023

R O B E R T S T E M P E L C O L L E G E O F P U B L I C H E A LT H & S O C I A L W O R K

BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS

F L O R I D A I N T E R N AT I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y

I M PAC T R E P O RT 2023

Under the shade of 150 umbrellas – representing more than 150,000 Florida International University (FIU) alumni (more than half of FIU’s total 290,000 graduates) who live and work

in South Florida, students and faculty came out to South Beach in a show of the real impact that Miami’s public university makes in the region.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROBERT STEMPEL COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH & SOCIAL WORK

Dean’s Message ................................................................. 4 FIU’s Stempel College: In Numbers ................................ 5 Faculty and Staff................................................................ 6 Research ............................................................................. 7 Students .............................................................................. 14 Alumni .................................................................................. 16

SCAN FOR CONTENT WHENEVER YOU SEE A CODE

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 3

DEAN’S MESSAGE When I think about public health I think of untapped possibilities—possibilities that can improve the health of communities in our neighborhoods and beyond.

Here at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, we are driven to explore these possibilities to help build a healthier, equitable world. It’s this drive that has led us to bring in $33 million in research award actions this fiscal year—the highest amount in our college’s history.

I am honored to share we now rank No. 15 in NIH research funding among public universities, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. Every day, our researchers are diving into areas spanning brain health to climate change, remaining steadfast in their commitment to advancing public health and providing a supportive space for our students to flourish.

This year, we’ve also made great strides toward building our university’s PET/Cyclotron Center, bringing in an additional $3 million from the Health Resources and Services Administration, secured by Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL-26). The establishment of this center would allow us to develop imaging studies on neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and many other diseases affecting our community. Not to mention, it would open opportunities for our faculty, staff and students to collaborate across disciplines to protect public health.

I invite you to explore this year’s Impact report, which holds the latest news from our college, and shines a light on some of our wonderful Stempel College students and alumni. Seeing the successes of these students, and the great places they end up is truly what inspires us at FIU’s Stempel College to do what we do.

At our college, we truly are building the next generation of leaders in public health, social work, dietetics and nutrition, and disaster preparedness.

Thank you, as always, for your support.

With gratitude,

Tomás R. Guilarte, Ph.D. Dean, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences Professor, Cognitive Neuroscience & Imaging Director, Brain, Behavior & the Environment

4 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

FIU’S STEMPEL COLLEGE: IN NUMBERS ACTIVE STUDENTS IN FALL 2023

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES

569 611 114 BACHELOR’S

MASTER’S

Public Health

PH.D.

Biostatistics

DEMOGRAPHICS 7% International

Environmental Health Sciences Epidemiology

3%

Two or more races

13%

White

Global Health

Asian

18%

Black

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

88%

2%

bachelor’s degrees are awarded to minorities

RACE

Generalist (Online MPH)

Dietetics and Nutrition

57%

Hispanic

ALUMNI

Social Work

76%

100%

International Disaster Preparedness

of Ph.D. graduates who were employed within one year of graduation

of bachelor’s or master’s graduates were employed or continuing their education within one year of graduation

RANKINGS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

among public universities U.S. News & World Report

among public universities U.S. News & World Report

42

#

49

#

BIOSTATISTICS PROGRAM

DIETETICS MAJOR

among public universities U.S. News & World Report

among public universities U.S. News & World Report

43

#

22

#

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 5

F A C U LT Y A N D S TA F F

WELCOME TO OUR NEW FACULTY AND STAFF BIOSTATISTICS

• Helen Ramirez, Office Manager

• Xuexia Wang, Professor

• Javier Escobar, Temporary Research Assistant Professor

• Samantha N. Gonzales, Coordinator Statistical Research IV

HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION • Chika C. Chuku, Postdoctoral Associate

• Erika Carillo, Office Manager

• Delaram Ghanooni, Research Assistant Professor

CRUSADA

• Elena Sebekos, Assistant Teaching Professor

• Sergio A. Rivera, Research Associate

• Leah Davis Ewart, Research Assistant Professor

DIETETICS AND NUTRITION

• Omar Valentin, Research Project Manager

• Shayne Robinson, Assistant Teaching Professor (Visiting)

OFFICE OF THE DEAN

• Jacqueline Hernandez-Boyer, Assistant Professor

• Joyce Rivers Breivogel, Human Resources Manager

• Pia Henfridsson, Assistant Professor

• Manuel Romero, Office Manager

• Scarlet Figueroa, Program Coordinator

• Yamile Alvarez, Office Coordinator

• Lauryn A. Latty, Phlebotomist

ONLINE MPH

EPIDEMIOLOGY

• Cindy Perez, Assistant Teaching Professor

• Katrina Holts, Office Manager

• Jairo De Jesus Ramos, Temporary Assistant Teaching Professor

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES • Alexander Rodichkin, Postdoctoral Associate

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

• Amber-Lynn Lachowicz, Research Technician I

• Nicole M. Neufeld, Clinical Assistant Teaching, Professor & Assistant BSSW Field Coordinator

GLOBAL HEALTH

• Shivani Kaushik, Assistant Professor

• Byomkesh Talukder, Assistant Professor

• Yuriana Alvarez, Office Manager

• Natalia Trujillo, Associate Professor

• Julie Taopo, Administrative Assistant

INTRODUCING THE NEW CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION Dr. Adam Carrico joins FIU’s Stempel College from the University of Miami (UM), where he served as faculty since 2016. He works across a diverse research portfolio that covers the areas of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; Global Health; Brain, Behavior and the Environment; and Epidemiology. Dr. Carrico’s clinical research program focuses on boosting and extending the effectiveness of contingency management for HIV prevention. He is leading three NIDA-funded randomized controlled trials testing novel behavioral interventions to optimize biomedical approaches to HIV prevention in sexual minority men who use stimulants. Dr. Carrico’s translational research program focuses on elucidating the neuroimmune pathways that underlie prevalent psychiatric comorbidities relevant to HIV/AIDS. Currently, he is coleading a randomized controlled trial funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) examining the effects of cognitive-behavioral treatment for adherence and depression on the microbiome-gut-brain axis in people with HIV.

6 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

RESEARCH

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE OUR COMMITMENT TO A BETTER TOMORROW Our researchers are committed to pushing the edges of science to build a better tomorrow. Today, we rank No. 15 in the nation—and No. 2 in Florida— among public schools of public health for research awards granted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research’s latest rankings.

IMPACT

55

33m

$

tenured or tenure-track faculty

in award actions FY2022

Highest in Stempel College history

EXTERNAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY YEAR

$ 35M

$ 25M

$29.8M

$22.1M

Proposal success rate of grant applications (NIH national average success rate is < 20.7% for FY2022)

Affiliated Research Centers $33M

$ 30M

42%

$21.3M

Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (Crusada)

Center for Statistical Consulting and Collaboration (FIU-STATCONSULT)

$ 20M $ 15M $ 10M

Community-Based Research Institute (CBRI)

$ 5M $ 0M 2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

Global Health Consortium (GHC)

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 7

RESEARCH

BREAKING NEW GROUND IN BRAIN HEALTH FIU’S STEMPEL COLLEGE LAUNCHES GROUNDBREAKING PROGRAM TO TRAIN STUDENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE Exposure to environmental hazards like toxic chemicals and air pollution can impact the brain. But understanding how exposure can negatively change brain function and contribute to neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s remains largely unknown.

Now a new program at FIU will train Ph.D. students and postdocs to understand how environmental hazards affect people from a neurobiological perspective. The Training in Environmental Neuroscience (TENS) program offered in partnership with the Brain, Behavior & the Environment (BBE) program and the Cognitive Neuroscience Program, aims to train scientists in both environmental health and neuroscience.

The TENS program, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), brings components of public health, neuroscience and psychology together to explore environmental neuroscience.

8 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

RESEARCH

PET-CYCLOTRON CENTER AT FIU: $3 MILLION FROM THE HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, SECURED BY CONGRESSMAN CARLOS GIMENEZ (FL-26) A key in the fight against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases is the use of all-important substances or “radiotracers” — that can image tumors, the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders and more — to non-invasively image the brain using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. Except, there’s one problem. These radiotracers have a tendency to not stick around for long. That’s where a cyclotron comes in. This machine can make these substances on demand — not just expediting research efforts but opening new avenues to understand disease mechanisms and possible treatments. Tomás R. Guilarte, dean of FIU’s Stempel College and the lead researcher behind the PET/Cyclotron Center at the university, knows this technology would be a major step for FIU’s brain health, aging and health disparities research. The center also would be the first of its kind in the state university system. This new allocation complements last year’s appropriation of $2 million dollars, secured by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

BRAIN, BEHAVIOR & THE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM FEATURED IN SOCIETY OF TOXICOLOGY’S LEADERSHIP FILM SERIES The Brain, Behavior & the Environment (BBE) program at FIU’s Stempel College was selected as one of the premier programs featured in the Society of Toxicology’s leadership film series.

The film series profiles academic, government and industry partners working at the forefront of creating a healthier and safer world by advancing science and increasing the impact of toxicology.

The transdisciplinary initiative unites the dynamic and diverse neuroscience community toward three goals: to create and empower research programs focused on environmental

WATCH THE VIDEO

causes of neurological disease; to devise strategies and develop therapies for neurological disorders using novel neuroscience and engineering tools as well as pharmacological approaches; and to establish a rich educational resource in South Florida to educate students, faculty, clinicians, the public and health officials on the role that environmental factors play on neurological disease.

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 9

RESEARCH

STUDYING THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF 9/11 RESPONDERS, SURVIVORS IN FLORIDA After 9/11, an estimated 15,000 first responders and survivors moved to Florida—a number that continues to grow as individuals gradually retire. The World Trade Center Program at FIU aims to understand the long-term impact of 9/11 exposure on the physical and mental health of responders and survivors.

“These survivors face a new challenge as they age and move toward retirement – a difficult life transition that can sometimes lead to mental health decline,” said Dr. Roberto Lucchini, primary investigator and

LEARN MORE AT WTCFL.FIU.EDU

professor of environmental health sciences. “Prior to retirement, the daily drumbeat of work activity and a steady schedule often helps keep the mind busy. But retirement can sometimes leave a void – one that for 9/11 survivors is too often filled with unwanted memories of the noises, smells, fear and despair of that terrible day and the days that followed.”

September 11 first responders and survivors are invited to participate in the study.

FIU’S GLOBAL HEALTH CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAS HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION This year’s Global Health Conference of the Americas took place in Cartagena, Colombia, September 13-15, 2023, convening over 300 experts from Colombia and abroad to discuss today’s pressing global health challenges. In partnership with the Colombian Society of Pediatrics and the Pan American Health Organization, partners, and sponsors, the event hosted insightful sessions and panel conversations designed to help break silos and foster collaboration.

“Achieving global health for all requires us to work together,” said Dr. Carlos Espinal, director of the Global Health Consortium at FIU’s Stempel College. “Our diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives can help us come up with interventions that address the complex challenges and needs of our communities.”

The next conference will take place in September 2024, in Miami, Florida.

10 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

RESEARCH

FIU AWARDED $6M TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC SCHOOLS The U.S. Department of Education awarded FIU a $6 million grant to help improve access to mental health services for students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS).

The five-year grant funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus appropriations bill will support the FIU/M-DCPS Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Fellowship (Project DIG). Project DIG aims to recruit, prepare and train over 100 highly qualified school-based mental health service providers, such as psychologists and social workers, to help students, particularly those from underserved communities.

“School-based social workers and psychologists are the front line for recognizing and responding to potential traumas,” said Jennifer Abeloff, associate director of social work and co-investigator. She added that these mental health service providers play an essential role, especially for students from low-income backgrounds or multilingual learners. “We are trying to help the kids who can fall through the cracks, the ones who may not have access to these mental health services outside of school.”

PROFESSOR LEADS STUDY TO ADDRESS BINGE DRINKING AMONG LATINE COLLEGE STUDENTS Research shows that Latine college students may not binge drink as frequently as their white counterparts, but when they do, they may escalate to dependence more quickly and face more negative consequences. Tackling the issue head on is Dr. Michelle Hospital, associate director of FIU’s Community-Based Research Institute (CBRI) and research professor of biostatistics, who is leading a study aimed at curbing binge drinking among Latine college students through mindfulness interventions.

Funded by a 5-year $1.9 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Dr. Hospital’s study will implement the technique Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), which focuses on stress reduction, anxiety management, and depression alleviation. Dr. Hospital and a team of FIU researchers plan to customize the MBSR curriculum through extensive year-and-a-half-long consultations with Latine college students, faculty, and other stakeholders, ensuring it aligns with their specific needs and lifestyles.

“Engaging these students in a mindfulness training program offers an exciting opportunity for them to develop healthier coping strategies, greater impulse control, and reduce stress, — all of which are related to reductions in binge drinking,” said Dr. Hospital. She adds that she hopes that the study will build more evidence to support the funding of innovative and accessible programs that give Latine youth an alternative way of coping with whatever stressors they have in their lives.

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 11

RESEARCH

ARSENIC CONTAMINATION OF FOOD AND WATER IS A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN – RESEARCHERS ARE STUDYING HOW IT CAUSES CANCER This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license Cristina Andrade-Feraud, Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Health Sciences Diana Azzam, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences

A

rsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the Earth’s crust. Exposure to arsenic, often through contaminated food and water, is associated with various negative health effects,

including cancer.

Arsenic exposure is a global public health issue. A 2020 study estimated that up to 200 million people worldwide are exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water at levels above the legal limit of 10 parts per billion set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization.

More than 70 countries are affected, including the United States, Spain, Mexico, Japan, India, China, Canada, Chile, Bangladesh, Bolivia and Argentina.

Since many countries are still affected by high levels of arsenic, we believe arsenic exposure is a global public health issue that requires urgent action. We study how exposure to toxic metals like arsenic can lead to cancer through the formation of cancer stem cells

12 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

RESEARCH

PREVENTING CHRONIC ARSENIC EXPOSURE IS CRITICAL TO REDUCING THE BURDEN OF ARSENIC-RELATED HEALTH EFFECTS.

ARSENIC CONTAMINATION OF

ARSENIC AND CANCER STEM CELLS

development to examine how the

Chronic exposure to arsenic increases

origins of cells affect the formation of

Your body can absorb arsenic through

the risk of developing multiple types

cancer stem cells.

several routes, such as inhalation and

of cancer.

FOOD AND WATER

skin contact. However, the most common

Preventing chronic arsenic exposure

The mechanisms by which arsenic causes

is critical to reducing the burden of

cancer are complex and not yet fully

arsenic-related health effects. Further

understood. However, research suggests

research is needed to understand

People who live in areas with naturally

that arsenic can damage DNA, disrupt

arsenic-induced cancer stem cell

high levels of arsenic in the soil and

cell signaling pathways and impair

formation and develop effective

water are at particular risk. In the U.S.,

the immune system, all of which can

strategies to prevent it. In the

for example, that includes regions in

contribute to cancer development.

meantime, continued monitoring and

source of arsenic exposure is through contaminated drinking water or food.

the Southwest such as Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Additionally, human activities such as mining and agriculture can also increase arsenic in food and water sources.

Scientists have also linked chronic arsenic exposure to the development of cancer stem cells. These are cells within

in food and drink products, particularly

cells can develop into many different

rice and rice-based products like rice

types of cells. At what stage of cellular

cereals and crackers. A 2019 Consumer

development a stem cell acquires the

Reports investigation even found that

genetic mutation that turns it into a

some brands of bottled water sold in

cancer stem cell remains unknown.

multiple studies have also found that several popular baby food brands contained arsenic at concentrations much higher than the legal limit.

health of affected communities.

cancer growth and spread. Like normal stem cells in the body, cancer stem

exceeded the legal limit. Alarmingly,

water sources could help improve the

tumors thought to be responsible for

High levels of arsenic can also be found

the U.S. contained levels of arsenic that

regulation of this toxic metal in food and

Our research aims to identify what type of cell arsenic targets to form a cancer stem cell. We are currently using cell cultures obtained from the same

READ ONLINE

organ at different stages of cellular

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 13

STUDENTS

PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENT LEADER TEAMS UP WITH ASPPH Patrice Lewis pinpoints her early trips to hospitals as the catalyst for pursuing a career in health.

“I was visiting loved ones who ended up passing away due to diseases that could have been avoidable with better knowledge and promotion of health,” Patrice says. She was 12 years old then, living in St. Lucia, an island country in the Caribbean, where noncommunicable disease and heart disease were among the leading cause of death.

Health care in St. Lucia has since gone through notable advancements. “We have a much more skilled workforce in terms of medicine and even public health, as well as increased resources provided to our island,” she adds. “Seeing how lives can be preserved from preventable illnesses with the right information and the motivation to access health care made me want to get into the health field and make a difference.”

Today, Patrice, a master’s student studying Epidemiology at FIU’s Stempel College, was nominated and selected to be part of the 2023-2024 cohort for the This Is Public Health (TIPH) Ambassador Program. The program, launched by the Association of Schools & Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), empowers more than 80 graduate students from across the country to raise awareness about public health issues, careers, and education.

ZEROING IN ON THE RISKS OF TOBACCO SMOKING As a hospital clinical dietitian in Lebanon, Rime Jebai saw firsthand the negative impact of tobacco products on patients — many of whom were being treated for cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking. Inspired to do more, Rime left her home country to seek a research career that would help improve health outcomes in developing countries like Lebanon, where smoking is highly prevalent. She began her studies at FIU in 2018, where she pursued her master’s in public health, concentrating in Epidemiology, and excelled despite culture and language barriers.

After earning her master’s degree, Rime sought to earn her doctorate. Her first dissertation study, which focused on developing and testing pictorial health warning labels about the risks of hookah smoking in Lebanon, was published in Tobacco Control, the No. 1 international peer-reviewed journal in the tobacco field. She hopes to continue to do research on smoking and chronic disease and influence policies to help communities.

FIU IMMERSES STUDENTS AND PARTICIPANTS IN DISASTER RESPONSE SIMULATION The Academy for International Disaster Preparedness (AIDP) at FIU’s Stempel College held its 8th annual Disaster Field Course Simulation in an effort to train more than 120 participants, including students and individuals from participating agencies and nongovernmental organizations, on how to coordinate a disaster response. The simulation transported participants to the aftermath of Hurricane Marcia, a fictional Category 5 hurricane that devastated the Caribbean, a region that’s been pummeled by hurricanes in recent years. Participants leveraged assets that are typically used in similar situations, such as helicopters and marine vessels, to help cross hard-to-reach areas.

“We learn through active disaster and through this simulation, FIU and our partners are preparing participants to succeed in the evolving world of disaster management,” said Dulce Suarez, assistant director of AIDP.

14 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

STUDENTS

GRADUATE STUDENT DREAMS OF HELPING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES LIVE HEALTHIER LIVES Inspired by a registered dietitian who taught her healthy eating habits, Fabiana Caldera Boscan knew as a young teenager her educational goals were at odds with where she found herself in the world. At 16 years old, she left her native Venezuela to the U.S. in hopes of making her dream a reality. A year later, she was accepted into the Dietetics and Nutrition program at FIU’s Stempel College. Although she faced many barriers – financial constraints, immigration hurdles and cultural differences— she remained steadfast in her studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude and earning her B.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition. But her desire to learn and achieve was not satisfied.

Obtaining a master’s degree seemed untenable. Facing family financial difficulties, Fabiana was met with the hard decision to either leave the U.S. or find ways to continue her education. But her mentors and professors at FIU were not about to let that happen. Her good grades and reputation helped her earn a graduate teaching position through the FIU Embrace program.

OUR ACADEMIC

It’s through her work empowering people with learning and developmental disabilities that she

DISCIPLINES BRING

made her ultimate goal a reality. After graduation, Fabiana, now a registered dietitian with a

OUR STUDENTS TO

graduate certificate in pediatric nutrition, will head to work as a neonatal intensive care unit clinical dietitian and focus her efforts on helping the most vulnerable of newborns thrive.

THE FOREFRONT OF THEIR FIELDS

DOCTORAL STUDENT EXPLORES THE ROLE MANGANESE PLAYS IN NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

BY PROVIDING

Arturo J. Barahona is conducting research focusing

UNIQUE LEARNING

on environmental factors and how they interact with neurological diseases. For the past two years, Arturo

THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES.

has investigated manganese and its relationship to Alzheimer’s disease. “While there is extensive research on the effects of manganese on motor function and how it relates to Parkinson’s Disease, few data have explored manganese toxicity in the context of Alzheimer’s,” says Arturo. “That’s the gap we are trying to fill.”

Arturo was the first author of a paper titled “Relationship of Blood and Urinary Manganese Levels with Cognitive Function in Elderly Individuals in the United States by Race/Ethnicity” which explored the relationship between manganese and cognitive decline, suggesting that increased blood and urinary manganese levels are associated with poorer cognitive function in an elderly U.S. population.

This year, in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of toxicology, Arturo was honored with a prestigious award supported by the Society of Toxicology called the Bristol Myers Squibb Graduate Student Research Training Award to Promote Diversity in Toxicology.

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 15

ALUMNI

ALUMNI FIU’s Stempel College alumni contribute to a healthier and safer global community, securing roles in health, government, academia, tech, and beyond.

ALUMNA APPOINTED TO SERVE AS USDA DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SCIENTIST After a nearly two-decade career in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Deirdra Chester ‘03 has taken on a new role as the department’s Director for the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). As the director for OCS, Deirdra is responsible for ensuring all research and science for the USDA is held to the highest levels of scientific integrity.

Deirdra previously led the Division of Nutrition at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) where she was responsible for funding nutrition research across universities and colleges. Deirdra earned her doctoral degree in Dietetics and Nutrition at FIU’s Stempel College where she was awarded the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship and was in the inaugural class of the Gates Millennial Scholars.

16 | FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

ALUMNI

FIU ALUM NOW A VICE PRESIDENT FOR MERCYONE Dr. Muddasir Ghouse ’12 is a man of the world.

Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, he went on to college in India, where his parents are from, attended medical school in the Kyrgyz Republic and graduated with two master’s degrees in the U.S. — one of which includes a degree in public health awarded by FIU’s Stempel College.

Today, Dr. Ghouse serves as the regional vice president of operations for specialty care services at MercyOne, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. His early experiences of traveling, meeting new people and connecting across cultures helped shape him into the leader he is today.

“I do not believe in running a department from behind a computer in my office,” he shared.

“Every week I dedicate time to round the clinics, the hospital, and the sites of care— wherever we are providing care, wherever the patients are, wherever my teams are serving.”

Dr. Ghouse shares that doing this helps maintain open lines of communication, improves engagement, fosters innovation, and builds a transformational culture in the workplace.

FROM EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT TO EPIDEMIOLOGIST FOR THE CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Isabel Griffin ‘19 could never have progressed as quickly as she has at the Centers for

FIU’S STEMPEL COLLEGE ALUMNI ARE TRAILBLAZERS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS.

Disease Control and Prevention were it not for the unique opportunity offered by FIU’s Stempel College to work full time at the Florida Department of Health in MiamiDade County and pursue a Ph.D. in public health. “This dual focus allowed me to apply what I was learning in the classroom while in the field investigating outbreaks at the Health Department,” Dr. Griffin said. “I was also able to use my network of faculty and staff at FIU to answer public health questions that arose in my work.”

Dr. Griffin cites her Ph.D. advisor Dr. Gladys Ibañez, associate professor of epidemiology, as an influential figure in her academic journey. “She always encouraged me to excel in my coursework and keep writing my dissertation, even during the Zika virus outbreak,” she said. Dr. Griffin mentions both the wealth of knowledge and the partnerships Dr. Ibañez offered so that she could obtain data to use for her dissertation.

IMPACT REPORT 2023 | 17

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