Sally Davis, PhD ~ SDavis@salud.unm.edu
Professor Sally M. Davis is a researcher and educator at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center. She has been working with New Mexico communities in this role since first joining the University in 1976.  Dr. Davis has focused her work on rural, under-served, under-resourced, and under-represented populations in effort to improve education, healthy living, quality of life, and other topics identified by the communities with which she partners.  By combining research, education, and service, she has been successful in securing extramural funding – more than 80 grants – while recruiting, mentoring and collaborating with outstanding colleagues, students, and community members dedicated to community-engaged research.  As Tenured Professor and Division Chief for Prevention and Population Sciences in the Department of Pediatrics (secondary appointment in Family Community Medicine) and Principal Investigator and Founding Director of one of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 26 Prevention Research Centers since 1995,  Dr. Davis provides leadership for prevention science and practice throughout New Mexico and across the nation.

Glenda Canaca, MD ~ Glcanaca@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Canaca started working at the PRC in 2008. She leads the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Nutrition Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) Eat Smart to Play Hard program. She is passionate about community-engaged prevention research and the use of the social marketing approach to prevent chronic disease in New Mexico communities.​

Theresa Cruz, PhD ~ thcruz@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Cruz is a research associate professor and serves as Deputy Director of the UNM Prevention Research Center.  Her expertise includes community-engaged research and evaluation for the primary prevention of injury and violence as well as chronic disease.  She completed her doctoral studies in epidemiology at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. 

Julia Meredith Hess, Ph.D ~ JMhess@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Hess is Research Assistant Professor, UNM Prevention Research Center (PRC), Department of Pediatrics. She is a sociocultural anthropologist who works as a collaborator on mixed methods projects that aim to reduce health disparities across New Mexico. She is Co-investigator on VIVA III: Healthy Places—Healthy People, translating physical activity recommendations, scale-up and dissemination in Navajo Communities. In 2018-2019, she was recipient of TREE Center Pilot Award for Designing a Culturally Appropriate Group Navigation Model to Improve Mental and Emotional Health Equity for Spanish-Speaking Latina Women. She is a Co-investigator on the Refugee and Immigrant Well-being Project. Her research interests include: Transnational migration, health and well-being, social determinants of health, health equity, U.S. immigration, refugees, community-based participatory research, collaborative, participatory research methods.​

Nan Zeng, PhD ~ NZeng@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Zeng is a research assistant professor at UNM PRC. The general theme of his research lies in understanding the role of physical activity and diet behaviors in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases. This extends to characteristics associated with a healthy lifestyle, such as smart nutrition choices, physical activity participation, and the maintenance of ideal body weight. He completed his doctoral studies in kinesiology at the University of Minnesota and postdoctoral training in community nutrition at Colorado State University.

Ashlee Begaye ~ ANBegaye1@salud.unm.edu
Ashlee Begaye is Navajo from Kirtland, NM. Her clans are Bit'ahnii born for Táchii'nii. She has her B.A. in Biology and Chemistry, and M.A. in Educational Psychology. Ashlee joined the UNM’s Prevention Research Center in 2015 as a Health Educator for the NIH-funded program The Science Around Us, where she implemented culturally-relevant science curriculum and activities for middle school students in rural northwestern NM. She is currently an Associate Scientist II for the Social Marketing team and works to build culturally-relevant programming, increase community engagement, and promote nutrition and physical activity for the SNAP-Ed Eat Smart to Play Hard program.

Sheldon Benally ~ sbenally2@salud.unm.edu
Sheldon Benally is Navajo from Shiprock, New Mexico. His clans are Kinlichiini (Kinłichii’nii) (Red House People) born for Tabaaha (Tábąąhá) (Water Edge People). His previous work includes participating in various research projects with the Dine’ College Public Health Programs relating to diabetes, cancer, and STI/HIV prevention projects. He is currently an Adjunct Faculty in the Public Health Department with Dine’ College. With his experience conducting research on the Navajo Reservation, Sheldon has gained experience with collecting necessary documents to present to the Navajo Nation Human Research Review Board, including presenting at local chapter houses seeking support through letters and resolutions. Sheldon also has experience working with HIV prevention and testing with UNM Truman Health Services. During his graduate program, he also worked for UNM Project Echo with the NM AIDS Education and Training Center and the UNM Prevention Research Center working with the Teen Outreach Program at Laguna-Acoma High School. Sheldon has a BA degree in Biology and a M.S. degree in Community Health Education from the University of New Mexico. Sheldon is currently working with the “Healthy Places Healthy People” Project with the UNM Prevention Research Center.

Ivy Cervantes, MD, MPH ~ icervantes@salud.unm.edu
As an Associate Scientist 2, Dr. Ivy Vitanzos Cervantes has ​worked on multiple research and evaluation projects at the UNM PRC focused on improving early childhood health and primary prevention of sexual violence. She has over 6 years combined experience in healthcare and public health in the Philippines and in New Mexico. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines in 2009 and her Master of Public Health degree, with a focus in epidemiology, from the University of New Mexico in 2017.​

Victoria Culkin, MA ~ VCulkin@salud.unm.edu
Victorica Culkin is an Associate Scientist 3 and manages all aspects of the New Mexico Department of Health’s Family Planning Program’s funded Teen Outreach Program at the UNM/PRC. Victoria currently facilitates social-emotional learning to tribal teens from the Laguna and Acoma pueblos. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations, including cancer survivors, people living with HIV/AIDS, and medical doctors. Victoria has over ten years of Public Health experience. Some notables include assisting in the adaptation of Nizhoni SISTA, a locally developed HIV Prevention Intervention, serving as Co-chair of the New Mexico HIV Prevention Community Planning and Action group’s Evaluation Planning Committee, Host committee member of the Drug Policy Alliance International Reform Conference, Attending New Mexico Cancer Council meetings and working on the New Mexico Cancer Plan. Before working at the UNM/PRC, Victoria worked at the New Mexico Department of Health in the Cancer Section and HIV Prevention Program. Victoria has also worked as a manger at a non-profit and a public health consultant. Victoria is a certified yoga instructor.

Laurel Fimbel ~ LFimbel@salud.unm.edu
Laurel Fimbel is a professional intern on the VIVA Connects team. She received her Bachelors in Community Health, and now works to promote physical activity and cancer prevention in rural communities around New Mexico. 

Courtney FitzGerald, MSSW, MPH ~ CAFitzgerald@salud.unm.edu
Courtney FitzGerald has worked at the UNM Prevention Research Center since 2007. She is currently a coordinator for the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey and School Health Profiles, and an evaluator for the Healthy Here REACH project in Bernalillo County. Courtney is currently a PhD student in the Department of Communication and Journalism, where she is studying Health Communication. Her research interests include adolescent health behaviors, positive youth development, and intersectionality as a social determinant of health. 

Beverly Gorman ~ BeGorman@salud.unm.edu
Beverly Gorman is Diné/Navajo from the Navajo Nation. She has her Masters in Clinical Social Work (MSW) and Masters in Business Administration (MBA). Her clanship/tribal lineage are Salt Water born for the Rows of Houses clan. Originally from Bii’Bi’To’ (Deer Spring), Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. Ms. Gorman is a Licensed Masters of Social Work, working in the field of research at UNM since 2008. According to the State of New Mexico Regulation & Licensing, Beverly practices, applies, and adheres  to the Social Work Code of Ethics which involves addressing social disparities, practice of social welfare, addressing social injustices, dignity, respect, competence, understand/practice social diversity, application of interdisciplinary collaboration, practicing continued education, and be advocates for social action. Her research experience and expertise are in Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR), as well as strength-based, community centered, and indigenous research approaches. Ms. Gorman’s professional background includes over 17 years of experience in the human services field including providing psycho-educational, behavioral health, and culturally adapted trainings. She also has experience with qualitative and quantitative research, including conducting ethnographic interviews, focus groups, assisting with evaluation, and assisting in the development of Natives specific programs/curriculums. Currently she assists researchers with quantitative and qualitative research studies. As well as assists with program, state, and tribal program evaluation. 

Jennifer Johnston ~ JAJohnston@salud.unm.edu
Jennifer Johnston is the project coordinator for the social marketing team at the University of New Mexico (UNM) Prevention Research Center (PRC).  For the past six years, she has been researching and developing interventions for nutrition related disease prevention at the PRC.  She helped create the Eat Smart to Play Hard campaign including program content, process, and graphic design of campaign materials.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition/Dietetics from the University of New Mexico and worked as a Nutritionist for three years at First Choice Community Health. This year, she will complete her master's degree in Law from the UNM Law School to advance her work in public health and advocate for the well-being of others. 

Karen Lopez ~ KNLopez@salud.unm.edu
Karen is the Administrative Assistant for the Prevention Research Center.  She works on the PRC, VIVA,  Social Marketing, SNAP-Ed and other grants as needed.

Darlene Lucero ~ DarLucero@salud.unm.edu
Darlene Lucero is the Accountant for Prevention Research Center.  She graduated from Anderson School of Management in 2008 with her Bachelors Business of Administration and a concentration in Accounting.  She loves to go camping with her family and enjoys playing softball.

Reanna Sanchez ~ RSanchez5@salud.unm.edu
My name is Reanna Sanchez and I am an Associate Scientist at the UNM Prevention Research Center. I am currently working on the SNAP-Ed project as the evaluation coordinator by collecting, analyzing, and reporting healthy physical activity and healthy eating habits data in children throughout the state. I have an MA and BA in psychology, with a primary focus on creativity in elementary-aged children and a professional background surrounding chronic disease research and community-based collaboration efforts.

Melissa Schiff, MD, MPH ~ mschiff@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Schiff is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine. She co-leads the UNM PRC rotation for the Preventive Medicine residents. Her research areas of interest include maternal and child health and injury prevention.

Claire Sweeney ~ CESweeney@salud.unm.edu
Claire Sweeney is a Health Educator for the CHILE Plus program. As a Health Educator, Claire has expertise in: collaborating with diverse communities, providing technical assistance, conducting trainings, and assisting with data analysis and reporting.  ​

Belinda Vicuña Tellez ~ BVicuna@salud.unm.edu
Belinda Vicuña Tellez is an Associate Scientist II, part of the Social Marketing team at the Prevention Research Center. Her background is in psychology, public health, and community-engaged research. 

Robyn Viera, MA ~ rviera@salud.unm.edu
Robyn joined the Division for Prevention and Population Sciences in 2016 as a Science Research Manager.  Robyn works on the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (YRRS) and New Mexico School Health Profiles (SHP) survey funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the NM Department of Health (NMDOH); and is the lead evaluator for the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) Healthy Schools Project funded by the CDC.  Robyn has over 20 years’ experience conducting mixed-method community-based research, collaborating with healthcare providers, and delivering health-related communications to diverse populations throughout New Mexico.  Prior to joining UNM, Robyn worked in healthcare service delivery and public health as a Program Lead for the State of New Mexico and as a Program Manager for the UNM Cancer Center at the University of New Mexico, focusing on prevention-based research and interventions.

Leona Woelk ~ LWoelk@salud.unm.edu
Leona Woelk is an Associate Scientist II. She has worked at the Prevention Research Center since 2008. Her current projects include the Home Visiting Research Project, the Infant Safe Sleep Project, the SNAP-Ed Evaluation, and THRIVE, a quality improvement project implemented in collaboration with UNM Envision New Mexico.