Marisabel Roman Afanador

October 16, 2024

Pride for Puerto Rico runs deep in Marisabel Roman Afanador’s blood, from the traditional Bomba traditional musical style to the rich cultural heritage.   Still, the country historical has struggled with health issues and domestic violence.   That’s why Afanador, a San Juan native who learned from her grandmother’s resilience in the face of domestic […]


Kendra Cruz

October 16, 2024

Listening to community needs is critical to solving health disparities.   Kendra Cruz embodies this goal, as she has displayed a willingness to listen intently and a passion for addressing any identified health concerns in the community.   Cruz is already working on studies on smoking cessation and HPV, and she’s interested in working with […]


Maria Alvarez

October 16, 2024

Proudly waving her native country’s flag for “Dios, Patria, y Libertad,” (God, motherland, and freedom) Maria Alvarez, draws inspiration from her Dominican heritage and perseverant family to help people live healthier lives.   Alvarez learned hard-working ways from her truck-driving father and education-seeking mother. When her family struggled with asthma and lung cancer, she stepped […]


Karen Aguirre

October 16, 2024

Nopales are strong, resilient plants that endure in any environment.   The same characteristics apply to Karen Aguirre.   Aguirre learned perseverance from her parents who crossed over from Mexico nearly a dozen times to bring her to a better life, and from her mentor who cared for undocumented Latinos.   She has vowed to […]


Jose Ramos

October 16, 2024

Jose Ramos never gives up.   He learned how to persevere from his mother, who survived breast cancer, and his parents, who worked hard to provide for their family. He managed to stay out of the same trouble—crime and dropping out of school—that afflicted his siblings.   And he is keeping his goal in sight: […]


Jose De Jesus

October 16, 2024

Jose De Jesus’ grandmother had to cook Puerto Rican “mofongo” (Puerto Rican dish) on a large enough scale to nourish him and his six siblings.   In the same way, a successful health intervention or program needs to be applied in order for people to receive the health benefits.   That’s why De Jesus wants […]


Jacklyn Samano

October 16, 2024

Growing up, Jacklyn Samano’s mother insisted that she practice her Spanish and made her write things over and over until she got it right.   That lesson of persistence is paying off for Samano.   Samano, who dreams of one day leading her own public health research center and discovering ways to incorporate a better […]


Jackeline Ruiz

October 16, 2024

Jackeline Ruiz of Los Angeles has a big heart.   She learned compassion from her mother, who instilled strong faith on her and served as an example by always working hard to make friends and family feel welcome and loved.   Ruiz’s compassion spills over into the tremendous effort she’s made as a health worker […]


Gabrielle Castellanos

October 16, 2024

With the little “casita” (home) as a sentimental reminder of her childhood home and her late grandmother, Gabrielle Castellanos caring nature shines through.   Castellanos truly cares about others through her desire to pursue a master’s degree and a PhD, and then apply what she learns to improve health in the community.   She creates […]


Diana Diaz

October 16, 2024

With a mother that instilled accountability, Colombia native Diana Diaz has taken responsibility to push hard for cancer control and prevention.   Diaz, a research coordinator at Moffitt Cancer Center, is already helping conduct trials in tobacco research and lung cancer. She wants to demystify the stigma of terror and language barriers that patients face […]