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 serves as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences. She has over 20 years of experience working with culturally diverse and underserved communities in New Mexico and Central America, where she is originally from. She has worked with Hispanic and Native American populations as part of the Prevention Research Center, first with the NIH-funded CHILE study and leading the social marketing team for the last 10 years. She trained in social marketing at the University of South Florida. Dr. Canaca served as the Principal Investigator for the SNAP-Ed funded Eat Smart to Play Hard social marketing initiative for Hispanic/recent immigrant children and their families. She also served as the Principal Investigator for the CDC funded, Vaccinate with Confidence project, to increase COVID-19 vaccine confidence in Latino, Spanish speaking rural and urban communities in New Mexico. She is committed to social justice in her community-engaged work.

Theresa Cruz, PhD ~ ThCruz@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Cruz, PhD, is an epidemiologist and research professor at the University of New Mexico, Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences. She has more than 20 years of experience in community-engaged research and evaluation focused on the primary prevention of injuries, violence and chronic diseases. She collaborates with community partners and uses mixed methods to address research questions focused on translating research into practice and improving health equity. Dr. Cruz also enjoys training and mentoring learners at multiple levels to develop and nurture interest in community-engaged prevention research. Dr. Cruz received a Doctorate of Philosophy in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. 

Kevin Estes, PhD. ~ kmestes@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Estes is a Research Assistant Professor at UNM PPS. He is an applied microeconomist interested in the intersection of labor, education, and health. His research has included analyses of public policies from early childhood to post-secondary education. He completed his bachelors of business administration in finance at New Mexico State University and his doctoral studies in economics at the University of New Mexico.

Tamar Ginossar, PhD ~ ginossar@unm.edu
Dr. Ginossar is the Associate Chair for Communication & Journalism and holds a secondary appointment with the PRC.  As a health communication expert, Dr. Ginossar’s research focuses on the role of communication in reducing health disparities and supporting multilevel behavior change at the individual, organizational, and community levels. Her research utilizes community-based, mixed- methods approach to examine use of communication technologies such as eHealth and mHealth in advocacy and digital inequities, cancer communication disparities, and HIV prevention and management. She led the New Mexico state-wide HIV Prevention and Services Needs Assessment to examine federally-funded prevention and service provision, needs, and gaps. As part of her research, she partners with interdisciplinary research teams, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders on health communication research projects. She is happy to involve motivated, engaged undergraduate and graduate students in her work.  She is a 2019-2020 Presidential Teaching Fellow and a past Institute of Medicine (IOM) presenter on digital health strategies, health disparities, and health equity. She lived and traveled internationally in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Rebecca Kilburn, Ph.D ∼ mkilburn@salud.unm.edu
Dr. Kilburn's research passion is using data and evidence to improve practice and policy, and she has focused primarily on prevention and health promotion for children. Her research and evaluation studies have examined costs, implementation, and effectiveness. Most of her studies have employed mixed methods, and they have typically partnered closely with community collaborators. She has experience executing randomized trials, cleaning and using administrative education data, and collecting data directly from families, students, and community members. Recent projects include the New Mexico Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey, a study of the Tips by Text school readiness program, and an analysis of the viability home visiting. Besides publishing reports, journal articles and toolkits about children's programs and policies, Dr. Kilburn has also made numerous presentations to policymakers, including being the keynote speaker at the MIECHV Regional meetings and testifying before the House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Human Resources. Dr. Kilburn holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago.

Belinda Vicuña, PhD, MPH ~ BVicuna@salud.unm.edu
Belinda Vicuña, PhD, MPH, is a Research Assistant Professor at the UNM Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences. Her training and expertise are in psychology and public health, having earned her Master of Public Health and PhD in Psychology from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Vicuña has a strong background in social and behavioral science, public health prevention science (health promotion and disease prevention), mixed-methods (quantitative/qualitative) research methodology, program evaluation research, and community-centered approaches and collaborative practice. Her research has focused on community-engaged, culturally resonant approaches to health promotion and disease prevention among underserved minority populations, such as immigrant Latino communities. As a bicultural, bilingual Bolivian Latina, she is grateful for the opportunities that have shaped her journey and remains dedicated to advancing health equity through community-driven research. 

Yvonnie Baik is an Associate Scientist II in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences at the University of New Mexico Department of Pediatrics, where she leads and supports community-engaged public health research and evaluation across New Mexico. Her work focuses on injury and violence prevention, chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and maternal and child health, with expertise in qualitative research, program evaluation, project management, and community partnerships. Before transitioning to public heath research, she spent nearly 10 years as an early child hood educator in multicultural settings. Yvonnie holds a Master's degree in Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her research interests include prevention science, early childhood development, and promoting healthy outcomes for children and families through evidence-based, community-centered approaches. 

Shane Barton, BA ~ smbarton@salud.unm.edu
Shane is a Programmer Analyst in the UNM Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences. He currently works on the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, School Health Profiles, and Tips by Text projects. He graduated with a B.A. in Software Systems Design from New Mexico Highlands University.

Ashlee Begaye, MA ~ ANBegaye1@salud.unm.edu
Ashlee Begaye is Navajo from Kirtland, NM. Her clans are Bit'ahnii born for Táchii'nii. She has her B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, and M.A. in Educational Psychology. Ashlee joined the UNM Division of Prevention and Population Sciences 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 Community Nutrition Initiative team and works to build culturally-relevant programming, increase community engagement, and promote nutrition and physical activity with children and older adults of New Mexico.

Pranjali Dahal is an Associate Scientist I at the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. She graduated in December of 2025 with her Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology from UNM College of Population Health, New Mexico. She completed her practicum at the PPS during her final semester. Currently, she works on the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey project.

Courtney FitzGerald, MSSW, MPH ~ CAFitzGerald@salud.unm.edu
Courtney FitzGerald has worked at the UNM Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences since 2007. She is currently Principal Investigator for the Adolescent Wellness and Social Media (AWSM) survey, co-PI 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 a PhD candidate in Health Communication. Her research interests social norms and adolescent health behaviors, positive youth development, and intersectionality as a social determinant of health. 

Jennifer Johnston, MSL ~ JAJohnston@salud.unm.edu
Jennifer Johnston is the project coordinator for the social marketing team at the University of New Mexico Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences.  For the past eight years, she has been researching and developing interventions for nutrition related disease prevention at the PPS. 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. She has 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. 

Elena Martinez, BA ~ eleemartinez@salud.unm.edu
Elena joined the UNM Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciencesas a Professional Intern. Elena graduated with her Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Population Health from the University of New Mexico in Spring 2025. She has previous experience working as a research assistant for labs and projects across UNM Main campus and Health Sciences. She currently works on the SNAP-Ed and Core SIPP projects. Born and raised here in Albuquerque, she cares greatly about improving the health and wellbeing of all New Mexicans. She is excited to join the team to learn and grow and contribute to the projects. 

Myra McKee, MPH ~ mgmckee@salud.unm.edu
Myra McKee is a Program Manager at the UNM Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences, providing administrative and program support. She received her BA in Psychology and Spanish from University of Nebraska- Lincoln, and completed her Masters in Public Health at University of Minnesota- Twin Cities. Prior to moving to New Mexico, she worked as a Program Coordinator to start a harm reduction program in Richmond, VA, as a research assistant on a project analyzing the impacts of encampment evictions on opioid overdoses among unhoused folks in Minneapolis, MN, as a summer camp program director in Nebraska, and a crisis hotline supervisor. Her passions include all things related to health, systems change and community engagement, and building self-efficacy.

Martin Olate, BA ~ molate@salud.unm.edu
Martin Olate is a Professional Intern with the UNM Prevention and Population Sciences division. Martin was born and raised in Santiago, Chile CL. He moved to the United States to finish high school through the International Baccalaureate program at UWC-USA here in New Mexico. Martin graduated from Earlham College with a Bachelor’s of Art in Computer Science and a minor in Art, which is a perfect balance of his technical and creative interests. Martin works on a variety of projects including the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Amy Pierce, MPH ~ amypierce@salud.unm.edu
Amy Pierce is a Program Specialist at the UNM Prevention and Population Sciences division. Amy received a BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Oklahoma State University and has since worked in hospitality, human resources, and quality assurance. Amy graduated with her Master of Public Health program from UNM in December 2023. At the PPS, Amy primarily works on a variety of projects, including the Youth Risk & Resiliency Survey and the School Health Profiles. Amy's professional interests also include work in early childhood education, literacy, and processes. 

Jessica Reno, MPH ~ jreno@salud.unm.edu
Jessica Reno is trained as an epidemiologist and statistician. She began her career in Atlanta, Georgia in infectious disease epidemiology after completing her Masters in Public Health at Emory University. She returned to her home state of New Mexico to become the first mental health epidemiologist at the Department of Health, and has also worked with the state as a research analyst for Juvenile Justice Services. Her focus is on conducting high-quality analyses and communicating the results in an understandable way.

Mahtab Soleimani received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iran and earned her master's degree in Family and Child Studies from the University of New Mexico. She will be a PhD candidate in Family and Child Studies starting in Spring 2025. Since January 2023, Mahtab has been working on various projects at the UNM Department of Pediatrics, in the Division of Prevention and Population Sciences as a project assistant, and she is currently an Associate Scientist I. She has expertise in qualitative research and has received various trainings in child development and mental health. Her research interests include community-engaged approaches, injury prevention, and family health.

Camille Velarde, MA ~ CRVelarde@salud.unm.edu
Camille Velarde is an Associate Scientist II and works on various projects with the UNM PPS. She is a New Mexico native and growing up in Cuba, NM gives her an appreciation for the work done with rural communities at the PPS. She earned her master's degree from the University of New Mexico in health communication where her thesis looked at the various ways that mental health has been examined in the field of health communication. She is a fourth year PhD student in the Communication and Journalism department with an area of focus in health communication. Her research interest is community engaged approaches to digital health messaging.

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.

Elverna Bennett is a citizen of the Navajo Nation.  She is currently a project consultant to the UNM PRC Healthy People Healthy Places project and worked on Pathways as an field interventionist for the family component. She also serves on UNM PRC Community Advisory Council (CAC), to ensure that communities are involved in the Centers’ activities. She is also a member of the Native Research Network, Inc., an association and network of Native and non- Native health researchers who are involved in, and care about health-related research among indigenous populations. She has also worked as a field interventionist with the Johns Hopkins University, under the Bloomberg School of Public Health, working with Dr. Joel Gittelsohn on obesity and diabetes prevention projects in the SW area. 

Frank Morgan is Salt Clan, Born for Yucca Fruit People, mother’s father Ledge of Mountain, and father’s father Many Goats/Red House. He grew up around Four Corners area. Attended school and earned a social science degree. He worked with ethnographers and psychiatrists and he learned to translate and interpret. As a translator and interpreter he produced translated books related to diabetes, genetics, EPA superfund remediation terminology, and developed a Navajo court interpreter training materials for New Mexico State Supreme Court. He has worked with traditional Navajo medicine practitioners and health care personnel and produced curriculum for public health programs. He is a farmer, artist and sheep herder.

Marla Pardilla, MPH, MSW, has been working in behavioral health with the NA populations for over 25 years.  She serves as consultant to the UNM PRC Healthy People Healthy Places project with Dr. Sally Davis and team and has previously worked on the Pathways project. Otherwise she is with the Johns Hopkins University, under the Department of International Health, working with Dr. Joel Gittelsohn as Co-P.I. on obesity and diabetes prevention projects.

Harrison Platero from the Canoncito Band of Navajo Indians, has been employee of UNM PRC at various times as research interventionist on prevention research projects, including PATHWAYS . He has served on the PRC Community Action Committee for over 5 years.  With his extensive knowledge of Navajo culture, he is often consulted by researchers to interpret research terminology for Navajo communities.  He is a member of the Native Research Network, Inc. since 1997, and works for Johns Hopkins University part time.