Lab Members

Meet Our Team

Sara M. St. George, Ph.D.

Asst. Professor

s.stgeorge@miami.edu

(305) 243-0726

Dr. St. George is a behavioral scientist and licensed psychologist trained in clinical-community psychology, health psychology, behavioral medicine, prevention science, and public health. She directs the Health eLifestyles Lab, which is dedicated to promoting health, preventing chronic disease, and fostering positive relationships among Hispanic/Latino families by developing, evaluating, and disseminating evidence-based multigenerational digital lifestyle interventions. Aside from research, Dr. St. George contributes to the University’s mission of training the next generation of prevention scientists through the teaching and mentoring of students. She directs the Masters of Prevention Science and Community Health program, teaches two courses in the Department of Public Health Sciences (Qualitative Methods, Obesity and Public Health), and mentors undergraduate and graduate students.

Vanessa Morales

Doctoral Candidate

vxm450@miami.edu

Vanessa Morales is a Doctoral Student in the Department of Public Health at the University of Miami. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from High Point University and her Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Miami. She began working with the Health eLifestyles lab in 2021 as a volunteer research assistant. Her research interests include positive youth development, substance use prevention in youth, dissemination and implementation science, and family-based interventions.

Blanca Noriega Esquives

Post Doctoral Associate

bsn24@miami.edu

Dr. Blanca Noriega Esquives is a postdoctoral associate at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of psychosocial, cultural, and biobehavioral factors on quality of life and health outcomes among Hispanic cancer survivors, as well as developing and evaluating evidence-based digital interventions to promote optimal chronic disease management and health outcomes in this ethnic minority population.

Vanina Pavia

Research Support Coordinator

vxp395@miami.edu

(786) 643-4300

Dr. Vanina Pavia is the lab manager in the Health eLifestyles Lab. She is a physician from Mexico with a specialization in Obesity and Comorbidities and a master’s degree in Prevention Science and Community Health from University of Miami. Her clinical background is in obesity and chronic disease treatment and prevention through lifestyle modification as well as implementation of corporate wellness programs. She is passionate about obesity and chronic disease prevention in Hispanic population.

Marta Salazar

Research Associate 3

mcs3239@miami.edu

(305) 243-3021

Marta is the outreach and recruitment coordinator for the Health eLifestyles Lab. She graduated from Florida International University in 2020 with a master’s degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and a certificate in Maternal and Child Health. As a child of immigrants from El Salvador, she understands the reality of disproportionate resources and is passionate about motivating Hispanic families to take charge of their health and learn about the prevention of chronic diseases.