Stempel School of Public Health Research

Social Capital Survey

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Research


				Nasar U. Ahmed PhD Chair & Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics ahmedn@fiu.edu

Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention, Health Disparity, Risk factors for Emerging Chronic and Infectious diseases, Obesity, Physical Activity, Smoking, Behavioral Change Intervention, Molecular Epidemiology.


				William Darrow D Professor darroww@fiu.edu

Primary areas of research are: (1) social and behavioral aspects of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, (2) community-level interventions for behavior change, and (3) program evaluation.


				Jessy Devieux PhD Research Associate Professor devieuxj@fiu.edu

-“HIV PREVENTION IN HAITIAN YOUTHS” Funded by NICHD -“REDUCING HIV RISK IN DRUG ABUSING YOUTH” Funded by NIDA -"REDUCING HIV RISK AMONG MENTALLY ILL ALCOHOL ABUSERS” Funded by NIAAA -“RISK REDUCTION IN HIV+/HIV- ALCOHOL ABUSING YOUTHS” Funded by NIAAA -"SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN DRUG ABUSING YOUTHS" Funded by NIDA -"VALIDATION OF A BRIEF ADOLESCENT HIV/STD RISK-OF–FUTURE-EXPOSURE SCREENING SCALE IN DRUG-ABUSING YOUTHS" Funded by NIDA -“COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF HIV + DRUG ABUSERS” Funded by NIDA -“COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF HIV+ DRUG ABUSERS” (HAITIAN SUPPLEMENT) Funded by NIDA -“COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF HIV+ DRUG ABUSERS” (TRINIDADIAN SUPPLEMENT) Funded by NIDA -“HIV PREVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS: RESEARCH TO PRACTICE” Funded by NIDA -“HIV PREVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS: RESEARCH TO PRACTICE” (SOUTH AFRICAN INITIATIVE SUPPLEMENT) Funded by NIDA -“REDUCING HIV RISK IN AOD ABUSING MULTI-CULTURAL YOUTH” Funded by NIAAA -“SUBCONTRACT FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECT ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FOR HIV/AIDS RELATED SERVICES IN HIGHLY IMPACTED MINORITY COMMUNITY” Funded by the Office of Minority Health -“EVALUATION OF BEHAVIORAL SKILLS INTERVENTION MODELS FOR HIV EDUCATION AND PREVENTION IN MINORITY PRE- AND YOUNG ADOLESCENTS” Funded by AMPHS AIDS Consortium -“COMMUNICATION STYLES AND RISK BEHAVIORS FOR AIDS AMONG URBAN AFRICAN-AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS” Funded by AMPHS AIDS Consortium, Developmental Research Grant Program, NIH Grant


				Zisca Dixon Ph.D., R.D. Associate Professor dixonz@fiu.edu

Importance of antioxidant supplements in chronic diseases Food safety education for the under-served and hard-to-reach populations


				Evelyn Enrione Ph.D., R.D. Associate Professor enrionee@fiu.edu

Clinical Nutrition-TPN and Enteral Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy in Relation to Disease.


				Janvier Gasana D Associate Professor and Chair FCEHA (FL Children’s Environmental Health Alliance) gasanaj@fiu.edu

Community-based participatory research in health, health disparity, environmental justice and built environment using EO epidemiology, exposure assessment, and GIS mapping (The work is currently focusing on children’s health and lead exposure, environmental triggers and management of asthma, obesity and built environment)


				Kristina Lu Guo Ph.D. MPH Assistant Professor kguo@fiu.edu

Health care management and policy; long-term care policy, entrepreneurship, organizational behavior


				Susan Himburg Ph.D., R.D., FADA Professor himburgs@fiu.edu

Himburg SP. Health Sciences Recruitment and Retention Program. Division of Disadvantaged Assistance, Bureau of Health Professions, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1985-88, $232,155; 1991-94, $358,770; 1995-98 $243,816; 1998-2001 $456,724; 2002-2005 $560,429. For the past twenty years we have demonstrated successful strategies for retaining a diverse student population, including supplemental instruction, tutoring and peer mentoring.


				WayWay M. Hlaing MBBS, MS, Ph.D Assistant Professor hlaingw@fiu.edu

Cardiovascular Diseases knowledge in College students, Smoking Research Laboratory, Osteosarthritis Project, Longitudinal Blood Pressure & Obesity study in children, adolescents, and young adults, Breast Cancer Screening Project, Hepatitis C among Injection Drug Users, Substance Abuse and HIV. Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology, Lifestyle Risk Factors, Health Education and Promotion-Chronic Diseases including CVD, School and College Health


				Kim, Sunny PhD Assistant Professor skim@fiu.edu

-Statistical methods used in epidemiology and health outcome studies -Cost-effectiveness analysis methods -Substance abuse


				Brenda Daryl Lerner R.N., Psy.D. Research Assistant Professor lernerb@fiu.edu

-HIV/AIDS Research with underserved/at-risk populations. -Cognitive Behavioral Treatment of HIV+ Drug Abusers, funded by NIH/NIDA. PI-Rob Malow Co-PI-Jessy Devieux. Role as Project Director. -Reducing HIV Risk Among Mentally Ill Alcohol Abusers, funded by NIH/NIAAA. PI-Rob Malow Co-PI-Jessy Devieux. Role as Project Director. -HIV Prevention Groups for AOD Using SMI Women, funded by NIH/NIDA. PI-Rob Malow Co-PI-Jessy Devieux. Role as Project Director


				Marcia Magnus Ph.D., Associate Professor magnus@fiu.edu

Publications: Magnus, M.H. Prostate Cancer Knowledge Among Multi-Ethnic Black Men. Journal of the National Medical Association 96 (5), 2004, 656-662. Magnus, M.H. Barbershop Nutrition Education Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Gem No. 370, 2004, 36: 45-46.


				Robert Malow PhD Research Professor malowr@fiu.edu

“COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF HIV+ DRUG ABUSERS” (TRINIDADIAN SUPPLEMENT). Funded by NIDA. “COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF HIV+ DRUG ABUSERS” (HAITIAN SUPPLEMENT). Funded by NIDA. “HIV PREVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS: RESEARCH TO PRACTICE.” (SOUTH AFRICAN INITIATIVE SUPPLEMENT). Funded by NIDA. “HIV PREVENTION FOR ADOLESCENTS: RESEARCH TO PRACTICE.” Funded by NIDA. “REDUCING HIV RISK IN AOD ABUSING MULTI-CULTURAL YOUTH.” Funded by NIAAA. “COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT OF HIV + DRUG ABUSERS.” Funded by NIDA. “HIV PREVENTION IN HAITIAN YOUTHS.” Funded by NICHD. “COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS RESOURCE NETWORK (C-BORN): A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM FOR HIV/AIDS-RELATED SERVICES IN HIGHLY IMPACTED MINORITY COMMUNITIES.” Funded by The Office of Minority Health, DDHS. “COMPETITIVE SUPPLEMENT TO HIV PREVENTION IN DRUG-ABUSING ADOLESCENT OFFENDERS.” Minority Supplement Funding by NIDA. “VALIDATION STUDY OF AN ADOLESCENT HIV RISK SCREENING MEASURE POSIT.” Competitive supplement to HIV Prevention In Drug-Abusing Adolescent Offenders. Supplement Funding by NIDA. “PSYCHOEDUCATION AND PREVENTION OF HIV INFECTION TO EXTEND THE RESEARCH FROM MEN TO DRUG ABUSING PREGNANT WOMEN.” Competitive supplement. Funded by NIDA. “ACCEPTABILITY OF FEMALE CONTROLLED BARRIER METHODS FOR HIV RISK REDUCTION.” Competitive supplement. Funded by NIDA. “REDUCING HIV RISK IN DRUG ABUSING YOUTH.” Funded by NIDA. “REDUCING HIV RISK AMONG MENTALLY ILL ALCOHOL ABUSERS.” Funded by NIAAA. “RISK REDUCTION IN HIV+/HIV- ALCOHOL ABUSING YOUTHS.” Funded by NIAAA. “SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN DRUG ABUSING YOUTHS.” Competitive supplement, funded by NIDA. “VALIDATION OF A BRIEF ADOLESCENT HIV/STD RISK-OF–FUTURE-EXPOSURE SCREENING SCALE IN DRUG-ABUSING YOUTHS.” Competitive supplement Funded by NIDA. “COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR HIV+ INDIVIDUALS.” Funded by NIMH. “HIV PREVENTION IN DRUG-ABUSING ADOLESCENT OFFENDERS.” Funded by NIDA. “COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL STRESS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION FOR HIV+ INDIVIDUALS.” Supplement Funded by NIMH. “THE EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE OF COCAINE ADDICTION.” Funded by NIH and private foundations. “BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR WOMEN WITH AIDS.” Microbicide Supplement to a NIMH funded grant. “VALIDATION OF A BRIEF ADOLESCENT HIV/STD RISK-OF-FUTURE-EXPORUSRE SCREENING SCALE IN DRUG ABUSING YOUTHS.” Competitive supplement Funded by NIDA “HIV PREVENTION IN AFRICAN AMERICAN DRUG-DEPENDENT WOMEN”. Funded by NIDA, “PSYCHOEDUCATION AND PREVENTION OF HIV INFECTION.” Funded by NIDA. “SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS FOR THE DRUG TREATMENT EXPANSION PROGRAM.” Funding from VACO, Department of Veterans Affairs. “EXPANSION/ENHANCEMENT OF DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM – PEER SUPPORT AND FELLOWSHIP AS A SUPPLEMENT TO COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS.” Funding from the VA. “A MULTI-SITE EVALUATION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR THE NEW ORLEANS VAMC.” Funded by the VA HSRD Field Program. “TREATMENT OF COCAINE ABUSE: PSYCHOTHERAPY OF BLACK MEN.” Funded by NIDA. “AIDS/HIV TRANSMISSION PREVENTION: A THREE MONTH OUTCOME.” Funding from the VA. “ENHANCEMENT OF TREATMENT REFERRAL OF POLYSUBSTANCE ABUSE INPATIENTS AND OUTPATIENTS AND TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC CO-MORBIDITIES.” Funding from the VA Central Office. “EXPANSION/ ENHANCEMENT OF DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM-COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL APPROACHES TO COCAINE DEPENDENCE AND PSYCHIATRIC CO-MORBIDITIES”. Funding from the VA Central Office. “AIDS/HIV TRANSMISSION PREVENTION: BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES WITH INPATIENT DRUG ABUSERS”. VA Educational Demonstration Grant. “AIDS/HIV TRANSMISSION PREVENTION: BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES WITH INPATIENT DRUG ABUSERS.” Demonstration Project. Funding from the VA.


				Ramiro Martinez Ph.D. Associate Professor martinra@fiu.edu

He has received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Science Foundation, NCOVR and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. He has published extensively in the area of ethnicity, homicide and violence research, including refereed articles in the journals International Migration Review, Social Science Quarterly, Homicide Studies, Social Forces, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Social Problems and a number of invited and refereed book chapters.


				Virginia McCoy Ph.D Professor of Public Health Director, Office of Public Health Practice Director, Center for Health Research and Policy mccoyh@fiu.edu

Her research interests are in program evaluation of interventions to prevent HIV risk behaviors among drug users, migrant workers, minorities, and women in community-based settings. She has continuously maintained grants and contracts that total about $100,000 per year in the areas of HIV/AIDS and access to health services. She led one of three major projects in a NIH-funded $8 million Health Services Research Center study on access to primary care for drug users. She recently completed a community trial evaluating interventions to address HIV sexual risk behaviors in Immokalee, FL, and a pilot study on HIV prevention in the US Virgin Islands. She has published numerous articles in referred journals and nine book chapters, and made frequent national and international presentations at professional meetings.


				Andrew Miracle PhD Associate Dean and Professor miraclea@fiu.edu

Current Research Interests: the role of culture in health and health care, and theoretical issues in human sexuality. He has authored over 50 journal articles and book chapters, and authored or edited nine books. Much of his early work focused on schooling and issues, such as delinquency, that directly affect youth. His studies of sport and children's play include investigations into the role of racial prejudice, cooperation, violence, and character development in athletics. Recent Publications: Human Sexuality - Understanding Your Basic Needs (Prentice Hall, 2002) with Tina S. Miracle and Roy F. Baumeister Culture and Clinical Care (Slack, 2001), with Bette Bonder and Laura Martin.


				Theophile Niyonsenga PhD Associate Professor niyonsen@fiu.edu

Health Disparities and Chronic diseases; Spatial, Multidimensional analyses and Geomatics (GIS environment): Develop univariate and multivariate spatial statistical models for binary, count and survival data; Regression Trees and Hierarchical models: Integrate hierarchy and spatial dependencies within regression trees models; Statistics and Ethics in medical research: Methodological errors in medical research; choice of statistical methods and statistician’s ethical responsibility. See http://www.callisto.si.usherb.ca/~primus/en/index_en.html


				Deodutta Roy PhD Professor and Chair, Environmental and Occupational Health, Director, Office of Academic Affairs and Research, Stempel School of Public Health Droy@fiu.edu

Research Areas: Dr. Roy has active research programs focused toward understanding the involvement of natural estrogen and estrogen-like environmental and industrial chemicals in the etiology of human urogenital cancers and reproductive diseases. Areas of his research interest are: the gene-environment interactions, genetic polymorphism in environmentally susceptible genes, signal transduction in toxicology and environmental health, and develop the exposure-effect assessment biomarkers. Research Highlights: His earlier and recent studies clearly indicate that estrogen and/or estrogen metabolites can react with DNA to form adducts, and these adducts generate mutations and contribute to tumor initiation. Dr. Roy and his associates have recently identified two cancer specific genes, a breast cancer susceptible gene BRFH1 and a kidney cancer susceptible gene SKCG1 (both genes are patented). BRHF1 is located on q 11.2 region of chromosome 17, a highly unstable chromosome in breast cancer, harbors mutations in 81% of the sporadic breast tumor samples. Dr. Roy’s laboratory has identified another novel SKCG-1gene located at 11q23.2 harboring mutations in Wilms’ and renal cell carcinoma. Increased cell growth by silencing this gene in HEK293 cells supports a potential role of this gene in growth of kidney epithelial cells. These cancer-specific genes could readily be identified using biopsy tissues and is believed to indicate a breast and kidney cancer risk, according to the lead investigator, Dr. Deodutta Roy. Their findings will help to determine an individual's breast or kidney cancer susceptibility and would serve as foundation for the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies. A new study, yet to be published by Drs. Roy and Felty, revealed a new paradigm that (i) estrogen-mediated signaling through mitochondrial oxidants control the early stage of cell cycle progression. They have shown that estrogen-induced ROS transduce signals to the nucleus through the activation of redox sensitive NRF-1, AP-1 and CREB for the growth of estrogen dependent cells. ii) These newly identified mechanisms of estrogen action in breast cancer cells suggest new targets for discovery of novel antioxidant-based drugs or new antioxidant gene therapies for the prevention and treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. Recent Publications: 1. Surasak Burantrevedh and Deodutta Roy: Occupational exposure to endocrine disrupting pesticides and the potential of developing hormonal cancers. J Env Health, 64, 17-30, 2001 2. Singh KP, Lopez-Guerrero JA, Lombert-Bosch A and Roy D. Age, sex and co-exposure to N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea influence mutations in the Alu repeat sequences in diethylstilbestrol-induced kidney tumors in Syrian hamsters, Mutagenesis, 19, 67-73, 2004 3. Roy D and Singh KP. Estrogen-induced genetic alterations and breast, endometrial, testicular and prostate cancers, Current Genomics, 5 (3), 245-253, 2004 4. Roy D, Parkash J, and Narayan S: Genetics and Bioenergetics of Mitochondria Influencing the Etiology and Pharmacology of Steroidal Hormones, Current Pharmacogenomics, In Press 2005. 5. Kamleshwar P. Singh1, Jose Antonio López-Guerrero2, Antonio Llombart-Bosch2 and Deodutta Roy1 Estrogen-induced mutations and its role in the development of tumorigenesis, In: Hormonal Carcinogenesis, Springer Verlag, In Press, 2005


				Won Sik Suh Ph.D. Assistant Professor suhw@fiu.edu

Dr. Suh’s area of interest and research includes strategic management of health care organizations (i.e. Diversification) and health care finance.


				Mary Jo Trepka MD, MSPH Associate Professor trepkam@fiu.edu

epidemiology and control of infectious diseases, food safety, surveillance, hepatitis, asthma


				Nancy Wellman Ph.D., R.D., FADA Professor, Director of National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging wellmann@fiu.edu

Areas of nutrition expertise include aging, public policy, sports, nutrition screening and marketing, as well as consumer education and food labeling. Registered dietitian Wellman is past president of the 70,000-member American Dietetic Association (ADA), the nation's largest group of food and nutrition professionals. During her high profile ADA presidency, the Nutrition Screening Initiative, a national campaign against elder malnutrition that is backed by a coalition of 35 prominent aging organizations, was launched; the National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics, ADA's public information center, opened; and collaboration with professional and trade associations, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, FMI and IFIC, was strengthened. Dr. Wellman currently serves as national chair of the Nutrition Screening Initiative. As national media spokesperson and ADA Ambassador from 1982 through 1990, Dr. Wellman has been cited hundreds of times in the national popular press and has appeared regularly on TV and radio. She has testified before US Senate, House of Representatives and FDA Advisory committees. She has been a member of committees on food labeling at the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, and has written for the National Academy Op-Ed Service. Dr. Wellman currently serves on the International Food Information Council Foundation Board of Directors and the American Society for Nutritional Sciences Public Information Committee. She recently completed appointments on the USDA National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, Dannon Institute Scientific Council, and the United States Tennis Association Sport Science Committee.