Lidia Enriquez Marquez, BA Lidia oversees research activities, recruitment for maternal-infant cohorts, and several multi-disciplinary studies for the SURE center. She is currently serving as lead coordinator and lead SBIR coordinator in a multi-site research study HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) (25 national sites) representing the SURE Center. Lidia serves as a liaison with internal and external constituencies on all matters relating to research activities; and represents the SURE Center and University with respect to program/research activities on a local, regional, and/or national basis. Lidia has experience working with vulnerable populations, pregnant women, and Spanish-speaking populations. |
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Jillian Kotulski, BA, BS As an EMT, Jillian provided care for her community before stepping into the world of research. While working at a rehabilitation hospital and taking courses in human subjects research and sociology, Jillian became curious about clinical research and how it impacts patients. She worked as a Research Assistant in the UNM Pediatric and Adult Emergency Departments on traumatic brain injury (TBI), probiotic, and RNA Biosignatures studies, and later seized an opportunity to coordinate CTN-0099, a NIDA study funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative. This allowed for greater understanding of opioid- and substance use surrounding emergency care. By engaging community providers and substance use treatment clinics, she was able to gain support and streamline pathways for all patients with substance use to get connected to outpatient care from the emergency department. Jillian continues to foster her passion for engaging the substance use community and further exploring her interests in neuroscience and neuroplasticity by working on the NIH’s Human Brain and Child Development Study. Now, as the Clinical Trials Operations Manager of the SURE Center, Jillian looks forward to learning how to help people overcome their circumstances, starting before birth. |
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Xingya Ma, MS, MACCT Xingya has extensive experience performing statistical modeling and data analysis. Xingya has a strong understanding of statistical software development and clinical trial design. Her passion for precision and data-driven decision-making has empowered her research in various studies involving women and children’s health outcomes. |
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Sonia Macias Rodriguez, BA Sonia has focused greatly on clinical community outreach, primarily centering on the Spanish-speaking population. She has been working as a research coordinator for the SURE Center since 2021, as part of the ENRICH and HBCD cohorts. Through this role, Sonia has gained experience in participant recruitment, coordinating patient visits, and assisting in data collection pertaining to infant development affected by substance use and household upbringing. She is currently pursuing her BS in Engineering, with the intention of applying it to clinical research focusing on vulnerable populations. |
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Rajani Rai, MD, MPH Rajani brings years of medical research expertise to the SURE Center. She oversees the ENRICH-2 study, and provides support on various other studies, including the Covid-Supplement, the Healthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study, and the NM Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey. She is most passionate about substance use related public health issues such as prescription drug abuse and illicit drug usage in pregnant women and youth. Within the HBCD study, Rajani is most excited for the neurodevelopmental testing of child participants, including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and the novel NIH Baby Toolbox. |
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Alexandria Wiesel, BS, BS Alexandria is passionate about substance use challenges in New Mexico and hopes to gain a better understanding of its impact on individuals, families, and the community. After graduating from the University of New Mexico with dual degrees in Biology and Psychology, Alexandria found her calling at the SURE Center. Here, she provides research support as the team’s Community-Based Research Specialist. In the NIH Healthy Brain and Child Development study (HBCD), Alexandria serves as a research assistant and lead EEG coordinator by training staff and managing data acquisition. She most looks forward to collecting novel developmental information and interacting with research participants and their children as they grow. |
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Caitlin Youngblood, BA Caitlin graduated with a BA in Psychology and has spent her time since working with children and in social services. She has received training in the Nurtured Heart Approach (R) (NHA), the QPR Gatekeeper method, and trauma-responsive care. Caitlin is passionate about improving access to mental health services, learning how to communicate better, and practicing self-care. As HBCD study navigator, Caitlin connects participants with community resources and performs different research activities as needed, including recruitment and sample processing. She particularly enjoys behavioral assessments and building bonds with participants. |