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Volume 4, Issue 1December 2011

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El Faro Staff

Volume 4, Issue 1

New Member Interviews

Kouassi Ayikoe, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
I was first introduced through the NIH Summer Internship Program, and then I became interested in the challenging mission of scientific advancement.

When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
In early 2011 I became interested in the research on drug abuse in minority communities.

Briefly describe your current line of research
I have just completed a research study on small molecules synthesis, characterization and their management for NIH molecular library initiative (MLI).

What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career? Have you already accomplished this?
My ultimate dream is to become a researcher with the following goals.
1) Application of Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry techniques to known and unknown biological metal enzymes to mimic and understand their properties of such metals at the active sites.
2) Use of mass spectrometry for the development of methods to analyze biological samples (blood, serum, urine, saliva, etc...) gearing toward solutions for victims of drug abuse.
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
Being prepared for the worse turn(s) during the time of research while challenging myself to maintain a "must win" attitude.
 
What advice would you give to a graduate student who wants to pursue a career as an academic scientist?
If you have a great idea, go for it! As long as you love teaching, learning, researching, and servicing, you will only need to engage yourself and work on obtaining grant funding and networking.
 
What qualities/attributes do you look for when deciding to mentor a student or early career scientist?
First thing is "motivation", then the level of knowledge or skills, the problems and concerns he or she is facing.
 
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Well-vested in a research as a scientist in an organization/institution with all the tools for making a difference.
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
I am African born and the communal life style has shaped my approach to life and my definition of success. To me, as a chemist, my success will be achieved when I find ways to apply my scientific knowledge to contributing to the progress of my people. This can be measured in teaching, research to understand biochemical reactions, and changes that affect an abuser or abused.
 
What advice would you give to a colleague and/or graduate student on how to handle stress?
Although everyone handles stress differently, I would suggest finding time for exercise, getting plenty of sleep, and finding a support system among your friends.
 
What do you do for fun?
A few things: listen to international music and videos, go to dance with friends, drive around, or sleep.

Ibis S. Carrión González, Psy. D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
My ultimate career goal is to become a productive independent researcher in the field of clinical research, particularly in drug abuse and their effects on the health status. As a member of the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse (NHSN), I will take the opportunity to formally enhance my research skills by developing a research network.  Also, by attending training activities of the NHSN, and conducting my specific research activities I will have the opportunity to discuss my findings with peer researchers in the US mainland and other countries.

The National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse is dedicated to improving the health of Hispanics by increasing the amount and quality of interdisciplinary translational research on drug abuse. The researches in which I participated or conducted are with Hispanic Population, such as, a Puertorrican living in Puerto Rico. I can relate my knowledge and experience with Hispanic Population that lives in PR. This is an opportunity to expand the translation research on drug abuse to this Hispanic community.

When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
After my completion of the requisites for my doctoral degree in clinical psychology, I began my private practice and at the same time worked as director of a homeless outpatient and inpatient program for this disadvantaged population. Although I tried all the best strategies learned in graduate school and in my practice, I was unable to effectively address the continuous problems of relapse to homelessness and substance abuse, retention in the programs, continuous engagement in HIV risk behaviors, and high HIV infection rate particularly among women. I became aware that the only way to answer my questions and understand my concerns related to substance abuse and their consequences was to get training in research and enter the scientific community.

Briefly describe your current line of research
My research interest is in the drug use disorders field in the Hispanic population, primarily Puertorricans. This population presents particular characteristics in the patterns and route of drug use, physical and HIV risk behaviors.  My ongoing study Health Consequences of Traumatic Events and Coping Strategies among Hispanic Drug Using Women in Puerto Rico is related to identifying the association between experienced traumatic events and present HIV risk behaviors.  Another area in the drug abuse field that interests me is the alcohol use of adolescents and the consequences in their development, and community. 
 
What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
My ultimate career goal is to become a productive independent researcher in the field of clinical research, particularly in drug abuse and their effects on the health status.
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
I learned as a graduate student that the university gave us the tools, but each one decide how can use these to achieve their career goal. 
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
As a Puertorrican living in Puerto Rico, I can relate my knowledge and experience with Hispanic Population that lives in PR. In Puerto Rico few researchers exist focused on the drug abuse field. Drug users in PR present particular characteristics in the patterns and route of drug use, physical and HIV risk behaviors. My interest and concerns related to drug use disorders and their consequences among individuals and Hispanic community motivated me to be a behavioral researcher. This career is an opportunity to conduct and translate research of drug abuse to the Hispanic community.

Tatiana M. Davidson, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
I was very interested in collaboration opportunities with fellow researchers interested in addressing mental health disparities among Hispanic youth and families. 
 
When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
I first became interested in Hispanic mental health issues, and in particular children and families, in my undergraduate work at the University of Washington and into my graduate work at Clark University and postgraduate work at the Medical University of South Carolina. 

Briefly describe your current line of research
My research interests focus on addressing mental health disparities among Hispanic youth and their families through the development/adaptation and evaluation of empirically-based treatments for this population. Currently, I am in the process of developing a depression-focused, web-based intervention for Hispanic youth funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
 
What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
My dream is to continue my line of research on mental health disparities among the Hispanic population, with a specific focus on utilizing new technology as a means of addressing barriers to treatment. I feel that my current work is setting me up nicely to accomplish this goal.
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
I am Colombian and I have always been interested in Hispanic mental health. I suppose that my own experiences with immigration and acculturation paved the way for my current research interests.  I felt that as a clinical psychologist I could care for my Hispanic clients by providing them with a culturally sensitive environment in which they would feel comfortable working on their mental health issues. Through my research, I hope to address barriers on a larger scale by developing and evaluating culturally relevant treatments.

What advice would you give to a colleague and/or graduate student on how to handle stress?
Take everything one step at the time. It is easy to become overwhelmed with manuscript submissions, grant deadlines, teaching duties, and submissions to conferences.  By prioritizing your work and focusing on what absolutely needs to get done a given day rather than focusing on a lengthy laundry list has helped me maintain focus and has lowered my stress quite a bit.

Also, remember to have time for yourself every day.  Even if it is just fifteen minutes to sit in your office and listen to music – it is so important to take care of yourself too.

Richard de la Garza II, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
I was invited by my friend Dr. Laura O'Dell. After reading about the organization, I quickly became convinced of its importance.

When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
I have always had a peripheral interest, and became especially intrigued recently when doing work in Houston where many Hispanics reside, yet very few enroll in our research studies. Their absence brings up some important questions that need to be addressed.

Briefly describe your current line of research
Our lab performs inpatient testing of medications for cocaine- and methamphetamine-dependence. The trials enroll non-treatment seeking addicts who reside in the hospital for 5-15 days during which we perform a variety of tests.

What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
Department Chair or Founding Director of an Institute for Addiction Research

What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
Picking a supportive and available mentor can make a world of difference in both short- and long-term success.

What advice would you give to a colleague and/or graduate student on how to handle stress?
Stress is part of the business. It will be present on and off throughout your career so get used to that fact. Learn to let stress be a motivator toward success not something that breaks your spirit.

What do you do for fun?
Walking and spending time with my dog - he's a 14 year old Labrador Retriever that I adopted from Boston while doing my postdoc.

Robert Duran, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
I joined National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) based upon my attendance at the Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute (IRTI) on Hispanic Drug Abuse in Houston, Texas in 2011. The individuals at this workshop encouraged me to submit a proposal to present a poster at the NHSN conference and that I could receive a travel award to attend the conference in Miami, Florida. I really wanted to visit Miami and meet members of the larger network.

When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
I have been interested in issues relating to the Hispanic experience my entire lifetime, but have only recently learned how the topics that interests me such as violence, drug use, and drug markets are covered under health research. My doctorate is in sociology and so many of the conversations and material presented at the NHSN conference and at the IRTI were new to me.
 
Briefly describe your current line of research
I research Latino barrios in the Southwest, primarily the individuals who continue to be the most marginalized: gang members, drug users and dealers, and individuals who have been incarcerated. In the process, I have learned a lot about colonialism, post-civil rights racism, and forms of community empowerment that have attempted to uproot these unequal social conditions.

What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
The ultimate dream for my career is to give voice to those who are the most despised, hated, and pushed away in the Latino community. By giving voice to the lumpenproletiariat I hope to challenge dominant paradigms regarding the Latino community and provide answers for why dissident groups have originated. I am happy to report that I have begun my career in this area since graduating with my Ph.D. in 2006 and plan to spend my entire career of 30 plus years devoted to this goal.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
My life is split into several areas: family, career, and empowerment. In terms of family, in five years I will be 40 years old. My children will be 21, 18, 17, and 8. I plan to help my three oldest children enter and prepare for college. I want to spend every free moment that I have enjoying the experience of being a father. I want to help support my wife as she completes law school. In terms of my career, during the next five years I plan to have published three university press books, 15 additional peer reviewed publications, and secure a large research grant to study gangs. In terms of empowerment, I want to help the Latino communities for which I live and work to accomplish their dreams. 
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
I am Chicano and my cultural background has been shaped by my father’s ancestry in New Mexico and my mother’s immigrant ancestors from Scotland and Czechoslovakia. My cultural upbringing encouraged me to have pride in my indigenous roots and also a critical understanding of race and ethnic relations. I grew up learning to work hard, remain loyal to family, and dream big. By overcoming teenage gang membership, I went on to work on developing and providing strategies for individuals who were only accepted in the United States as criminals or prisoners. I was interested in critiquing, countering, and challenging the belief and treatment of Latinos as outlaws.  

Bernard Fuemmeler, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
NHSN provides a great opportunity to network with fellow scholars from all levels who share an interest in Hispanic health research. I joined because I wanted to be able to branch out from my institution to meet others who are leaders in the field. NHSN provides a great opportunity to learn from others doing cutting edge research as well as present your own work-in-progress.     
 
When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
Health and wellness in society is not evenly distributed. I have had a long-standing interested in better understanding why this is and developing novel and innovative ways of improving health among those that are the most difficult to reach. Improving the health of Hispanic populations is a part of this continuing interest of mine.    
 
Briefly describe your current line of research
My broad research interests are in public health and epidemiology. From a bio-psycho-social perspective I conduct research directed and better understanding the factors that contribute to unhealthy lifestyles, especially among children and adolescence. My goals are to translate what we are learning from this research to the development of interventions that can be employed to improve these lifestyle behaviors.  
 
What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
After becoming tenured, I would like to pursue scientific and academic leadership opportunities within University settings.  
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
Persistence and motivation pay off.
 
What advice would you give to a graduate student who wants to pursue a career
as an academic scientist?
In your academic pursuits work hard, but also cultivate your creativity. If you can tap into your creative side and make your research enjoyable then the hurdles of pursuing a career in academic science will not seem so insurmountable. Having the ability to determine your own line of work is one of the highest rewards of earning that advanced degree.

Shi Huang, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
Because NHSN provides a platform for researchers to conduct interdisciplinary drug abuse research.
 
When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
Since 2007 I have been interested in Hispanic health issues because Hispanics, the largest and fastest growing minority group in the United States, are at heightened risk for engaging in drug use and HIV risky sexual behaviors.

Briefly describe your current line of research
Currently, I am conducting researches to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of Familias Unidas, a Hispanic-specific, parent-centered intervention, in reducing HIV and drug use disparities among Hispanic adolescents.

What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
By implementing effective interventions, substance use and HIV infection are no longer public health issues. No yet.
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
Find your own research interest and never give up.
 
What do you do for fun?
Travelling.

Roberto I. Melendez, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
To become part of a talented group of Hispanic scientists in the field of drug abuse research.
 
When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
Early in graduate school I was eager to understand the genetic basis of alcoholism among the Hispanic population.
 
Briefly describe your current line of research
Research in my laboratory is focused on the neurochemistry of excessive alcohol drinking using animal models. We are particularly interested in determining impact of alcohol use and misuse on extracellular glutamate homeostasis in the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens of adolescent mice.

What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?
To develop a neuropharmacological treatment that will eradicate drug and alcohol addiction.
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
Never get attached to your data.
 
What advice would you give to a graduate student who wants to pursue a career as an academic scientist?
Understand the challenges of obtaining funding to sustain a laboratory in academia.
 
What qualities/attributes do you look for when deciding to mentor a student or
early career scientist?
Eagerness to learn and appreciation of the resources available.
 
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Tenured professor.
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
I was raised in Puerto Rico, which ranks amongst the highest consumers of alcohol in the world. It is also very clear that the prevalence of alcohol abuse remains high among Puerto Rican adolescents. 
 
What advice would you give to a colleague and/or graduate student on how to handle stress?
Practice mindfulness and breathing techniques.

Luisel Ricks-Santi, Ph.D., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
Use as forum to share ideas and network
 
When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
I am a Hispanic woman and health issues related to my people have always concerned me.  I want to be a part of making decisions regarding our health.
 
Briefly describe your current line of research
Identification of genetic risk factors associated with cancer and cancer aggressiveness
 
What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career? Have you already accomplished this?
Director of Cancer Center, NCI, HHS
 
What is the most important lesson you learned as a graduate student?
Never be afraid to ask questions; never be afraid to seek help or guidance
 
What advice would you give to a graduate student who wants to pursue a career
as an academic scientist?
Learn how to write and pick a mentor who is like minded and who has time to mentor you
 
What qualities/attributes do you look for when deciding to mentor a student or
early career scientist?
That they are hard working and that they have passion for what they do
 
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Director of a Program, R01-funded independent researcher
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
Puerto Rican woman with a family history of cancer which helped me choose a career in cancer genetics
 
What advice would you give to a colleague and/or graduate student on how to handle stress?
Find a hobby, but that this is part of life you just have to learn how to manage it; you’re always going to be busy and you just need to learn how to prioritize
 
What do you do for fun?
Play women’s American football, exercise, read, watch lot’s reality TV, paint, draw, spend time with my friends and family

Federico E. Vaca, M.D., M.P.H., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
To enhance my opportunities to collaborate with notable Latino health researcher that are like minded and focused in optimizing the health of Latino communities throughout the United States.
 
When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
In 1997, as a practicing emergency medicine physician, I was confronted head-on with the burden of injury morbidity and mortality that all communities are faced with day-to-day.  For U.S. Latinos, unintentional injury ranks as the number one cause of death from age 1 – 44 years and of these injury deaths motor vehicle crashes are the leading mechanism of injury.   My greatest interest in injury research has been to better understand factors that contribute to injury disparities in U.S. Latinos.
 
Briefly describe your current line of research
My work has focused on improving the understanding of racial and ethnic disparities in traffic-related morbidity and mortality through quantitative and qualitative research methods.  I’m currently studying adolescent developmental factors and behaviors in Latino youth that influence the risk of motor vehicle crash–related injury.  Focused on identify social and behavioral determinant of risk, resilience, and overall harm reduction, my research findings will be used to inform and develop effective community and clinical contact intervention strategies. 
 
What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
To continue to meaningfully add to the body of knowledge of  injury prevention and control science and help close the injury disparity gaps for U.S. Latinos. Further, to continue to introduce young and new researcher to the area of injury prevention and control science.  There is much work yet to be done and I to continue to work in this area for as long as I can.  So, I haven’t yet arrived.  
 
What advice would you give to a graduate student who wants to pursue a career
as an academic scientist? 
Be very intentional and thoughtful in the planning of your career very early on and have mentors that will be willing to invest in you as both a person (building character) and an academic.  Surround yourself with highly motivated and productive colleagues.  
 
What qualities/attributes do you look for when deciding to mentor a student or
early career scientist?
What I look for is their character, their conduct and conversation when they are around others that likely won’t have any impact on their careers, and I try to assess their level of humility.  These markers in the individual make my selection fairly easy.   
 
What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
I was born in Panama City, Panama.  My mother is a nurse and my father an auto mechanic.  The introduction of both medicine and automotive engineering by my parents brought me to becoming an emergency medicine physician that conducts motor vehicle crash injury research with a prevention focus. 

Margit Wiesner, Dr.Phil., Research Scientist Member

Why did you decide to join the NHSN?
Most of my prior work has been conducted with Caucasian youths in the U.S. and German adolescents. After moving to Houston, TX, I am now in an ideal position to expand my work and to conduct similar work with Latino populations. Joining NHSN creates the opportunity to connect with a network of very active and knowledgeable researchers in this area.

When and why did you become interested in Hispanic health research?
About six years ago I moved to Houston, TX, and I think this was the main reason for my emerging interests in this area. A substantial number of our graduate students at the university are Latino and many of the public schools in the region are predominantly attended by Latino students. So societal change is already ongoing and highly visible in the region, and it will serve us better to think about ways to improve the manner in which we address existing problems or potentially unmet needs among Latino youths.

Briefly describe your current line of research
I am interested in predictors and consequences of differing developmental pathways of health-risking behaviors (including delinquency, violence, drug use, alcohol use, depression) among adolescents and young adults. Other interests include early adult career pathways, psychosocial transitions, and development of adolescents in times of social change.

What is your ultimate dream in terms of your career?  Have you already accomplished this?
I am not sure I have an ultimate dream, but for the near future I would love to secure funding for initiating a longitudinal study with Latino adolescents and their mothers to better understand the interplay between acculturation processes, psychological and biological stress, social influence processes, and various health-risking behaviors.

What is your cultural background and how did it influence your choice of career and/or research area?
As a German citizen who came to the U.S. twelve years ago, I know from own experience what it means to have to adapt to life in a different country and culture. So it feels natural to me to look more closely at how acculturation processes among Latino families affect development of various youth health-risking behaviors.

What advice would you give to a colleague and/or graduate student on how to handle stress?
In my experience and observation, it always helps to have some balance in life and to make sure you regularly interact (and do something fun) with others outside academia.

What do you do for fun?
Hiking, canoeing, and playing cello in an orchestra.

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