Global Health Institute Scholars

"I look forward to starting this research experience to help promote rapport with indigenous communities in Lake Atitlán and build research capacity in Guatemala."

Program of Study: PhD, Environmental Health Sciences

Site: Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Research Title: Exposure to toxic metal(loid)s and microbial pathogens via drinking water in communities of the Lake Atitlán watershed, Guatemala

Funding: Kent Campbell Scholarship Fund

Bio: Yunuen Soto is a biochemist and microbiologist from Guatemala. She is currently a first-year PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences at MEZCOPH and a faculty member at the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala. Her research interests focus on the exposure to chemical and microbiological contaminants in drinking water and their potential health effects, as well as promoting access to clean and safe water. Her vision is to advance environmental health research in Guatemala, build technical capacity, and collaborate with local communities to improve environmental quality and human health.

"I have been working with the aging population for the last few years and am excited to observe and learn how cognitive health and aging research is conducted in a population and research setting entirely different from the US."

Program of Study: PhD Epidemiology

Site: The American University in Cairo, Egypt

Research Title: AL-SEHA ( A longitudinal study of Egyptian Healthy Aging)

Funding: Zuckerman Family Fund

Bio: Azmat is a first-year PhD student in Epidemiology at MEZCOPH. He works in the Healthy Aging research lab, which is currently focused on a project to determine patterns of healthy cognitive aging in older adults and compare them to individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. Before joining the doctoral program at the University of Arizona, Azmat worked at an independent living facility for older adults. There, he collaborated with the administration to implement resident well-being initiatives.

"To say that I am honored to be a Global Health Institute Scholar is an understatement. I eagerly anticipate participating in vital research endeavors and am grateful for the opportunity to broaden my understanding and perspectives on public health."

Program of Study: MPH Global Health

Site: University of Technology Sydney

Research Title: Stroke Survivorship and self-care

Funding: GHI Scholars Fund

Bio: Cutberto is a first-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student concentrating in Global Health at MEZCOPH. He earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish and Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS) in Physiology and Medical Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2023. Hailing from Yuma, AZ, Cutberto has experienced the intercultural exchange between the United States and Mexico and witnessed the impact healthcare has on transcending borders. His research interests include healthcare disparities among Hispanic and underserved populations. He is passionate about addressing public health concerns from a global perspective and being of service to the world.

"I am excited to learn and gain hands-on experience while immersing myself in a different public health setting and healthcare system. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity and believe it will contribute significantly to my personal growth and development as a future public health professional."

Program of Study: MPH Global Health

Site: Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (FES Zaragoza, UNAM); México City

Research Title: UNAM FES Zaragoza Health Promotion and Education

Funding: RISE

Bio: Erika is a first-year student in the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at the UArizona MEZCOPH, focusing on Global Health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration with minors in Business Management and Communications from Grand Canyon University in 2021. Before starting her master’s program, Erika worked as a financial representative at Banner Health in the health administration sector. She is passionate about border health, child and maternal health, health promotion, and mental health, and hopes to deepen her understanding of global awareness in various settings.

"I am deeply honored to join the GIH Scholars program, embarking on a journey to work within my home country. This opportunity will enable me to engage in critical research that will provide essential information for future interventions, benefiting underserved communities. As a future public health professional, I believe that reducing existing health disparities, especially in vulnerable areas, is one of the most significant contributions one can make."

Program of Study: MS, Environmental Health Sciences

Site: Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Ecuador

Research Title: Accumulation of metals in aquatic organisms and its implications on humans in Guayaquil - Ecuador

Funding: Kent Campbell Scholarship Fund

Bio: Karla is a first-year graduate from Ecuador pursuing a Master of Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) degree at the University of Arizona. Currently, she works as a research assistant in the One Health research laboratory. Karla received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in 2023. Before starting her master's program, she volunteered for an Ecuadorian mangrove forest project focusing on toxicological areas. Her main focus is on exploring rural health and contributing to the development of health policies in her home country and globally.

"I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research in Ireland! I am particularly excited to experience living in the homeland of many of my ancestors (my great-great grandmother was born in Limerick!), and am confident that learning and conducting research in a new country will greatly enhance my professional development and broaden my understanding of health challenges and opportunities worldwide. I am deeply appreciative to those who have made this incredible opportunity possible for me."

Program of Study: PhD, Biostatistics 

Site: University of Limerick, Ireland

Research Title: INSIGHT-GP: Inquiry iNto ServIce usage, Gerontological Health and MulTi- Morbidity in GP (General Practice)

Funding: GHI Scholars Fund

Bio: Katie is a PhD student in Biostatistics at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and serves as a graduate research associate with the University of Arizona Health Sciences Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction. She completed her Master of Public Health with a concentration in biostatistics at the University of Arizona before pursuing her PhD. Prior to her graduate studies, Katie served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic, following her graduation with a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

"My career goal is to be involved in One Health research, whether in the lab, in the field, or in the classroom. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to gain global health experience and knowledge to investigate One Health in the community of La Pesca, Tamaulipas."

Program of Study: PhD Environmental Health Sciences

Site: Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Mexico

Research Title: Evaluation of pesticides, heavy metals and pathogens in human, animal, and aquatic environments on the coast of Tamaulipas, Mexico. 

Funding: GHI Scholars Fund 

Bio: Priscilla is a first-year PhD student in the Environmental Health Sciences program. She holds a BS in Molecular and Cellular Biology and an MPH with an emphasis in One Health. During her master’s program, she worked with Dr. Kerry Cooper, studying the relevance of Campylobacter as a food-borne outbreak pathogen using whole genome sequencing. After graduation, she worked for three years as a research technician in a microbiology laboratory focused on public health projects. Priscilla’s research goals include addressing One Health issues by utilizing microbiological techniques and studying the interactions among human, animal, water, and environmental contaminants to understand how these interactions affect the prevalence of One Health issues.

"I am eager to immerse myself in this opportunity! Since completing my undergraduate studies, I have dedicated myself to helping refugee minors on this side of the border. This research opportunity will allow me to assist them even closer to their homes!"

Program of Study: MPH Maternal and Child Health

Site: Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, México

Research Title: Development and Implementation of a Comprehensive Public Health Curriculum Tailored to the Unique Needs of Migrants at Albergue Diocesano 'Belén' in Tapachula, Chiapas

Funding: RISE

Bio: In 2019, Sabrina graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a minor in Spanish. Since then, she has dedicated herself to supporting refugee minors as a case manager within the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Her role involves aiding minors from various parts of the world who have faced perilous journeys to the US. This meaningful work has ignited her interest in pursuing a Master of Public Health. Currently in her first year, Sabrina is looking forward to her summer Applied Practice Experience (APE). She hopes this research opportunity will enable her to directly assist minors at the Guatemalan border, addressing any public health issues they encounter, which may be contributing factors to their decision to migrate to the US.

"I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to participate in this incredible research experience that will allow me to work, learn, and engage with local communities to better understand how climate change is affecting their access to quality water and the prevalence of Vibro cholerae in order to help develop adaptation and mitigation interventions."

Program of Study: MS Environmental Health Science 

Site: Muhimbili University of Health Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Research Title: Impact of climate change on Vibro cholerae and water quality.

Funding: Kent Campbell Scholarship Fund; RISE  

Bio: Victor Okpanachi is a first-year master's student in the Environmental Health Science Program at the University of Arizona. He received his bachelor's degree in plant science and biotechnology from Kogi State University in Anyigba, Nigeria, in 2020. After completing his undergraduate program, he worked as a research assistant in the department for six months before embarking on a one-year national youth service. His research interests focus on climate change, water quality, and access. He hopes to gain deeper insight into how the lack of access to quality water due to climate change contributes to the incidence and prevalence of Vibrio cholerae in local communities and to assist in providing adaptation and mitigation strategies.