Filiberto Leon

October 16, 2024

Following in the footsteps of his selfless parents, Filiberto Leon is always there with advice or help whenever you need him.   He wants to help so badly, in fact, he’s seeking a master’s degree is to help more people.   Leon, originally born in Mexico, came to the United States when he was 1 […]


Iris Guzman

October 16, 2024

What’s better than waking up to an encouraging text message?   Iris Guzman, thanks in part to supportive texts each morning from her father and her experiences as a first-generation Mexican-American, has developed a similar caring nature for the health and welfare of Latinos.   Guzman, who is from Nayarit, Mexico, is currently a second-year […]


Geraldine Massuh

October 16, 2024

A great leader must have tremendous understanding, and a keen ability to see from other people’s perspectives.   Geraldine Massuh is such a leader.   Massuh, spurred to reduce public health disparities by her experiences as a first-generation bilingual daughter growing up in Queens, New York, has taken big leadership roles in improving healthcare quality […]


Erica Chavez Santos

October 16, 2024

Erica Chavez Santos grew up in the small rural town of Pateros, Wash., the daughter of diligent farmworkers from Mexico.   She saw the many health inequities suffered by her parents and local Latinos.   Chavez Santos wanted to help, and she became interested in understanding why these inequities occur and how to improve health […]


Elidia Tafoya

October 16, 2024

For Elidia Tafoya, calavera—the Spanish word for “skull”—has a positive connotation.   It reminds her that opportunities in life are abundant.   Tafoya is certainly taking advantage of growing opportunities to study health issues and promote healthy lifestyles among underserved populations.   After earning her master’s degree in public health from San Jose State University […]


Eliani Uc

October 16, 2024

“You’re never done, no matter how old you are. There’s always more you can do.”   Eliani Uc, inspired by these words from her mothers, has made the most out of the many changes and challenges in her life.   In fact, the Mexico City native moved to San Antonio, learned a new language and […]


Elena Martinez

October 16, 2024

Thanks to her spiritual “Lita” who was a friend to all, Elena Martinez was taught to love all.   And Martinez has already applied her caring attitude to the benefit of many people here in San Antonio, having actively participated in programs on obesity and cancer prevention, immunization education, health literacy, and youth mental health […]


Cynthia Ortiz

October 16, 2024

Like the focus and dedication her grandmother put into delicately crafting her beautiful hand stitched napkin, Cynthia Ortiz has what it takes to excel as a researcher.   Ortiz, a Dallas native, is a population science research assistant at UT Southwestern Medical Center and an MPH candidate in the Department of Epidemiology at the UT […]


Claudia Sanchez Lucas

October 16, 2024

Claudia Sanchez Lucas is described by many as humble, a trait learned from her mom and dad.   Lucas is also strong and resilient, with a passion for helping people. Lucas has powerful curiosity that can one day help her push science in brave new directions.   She’s growing her passion and curiosity as a […]


Claudia Chavez

October 16, 2024

If you need someone with a variety of experience in health fields, Claudia Chavez has it.   Neuroscience? Check.   Healthcare administration? Check.   Delivering a baby (as part of EMT training)?! Check.   Today, Chavez is growing her already strong health-promotion skills as a second-year student in the master’s program in healthcare administration at […]