Taghrid Asfar, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Principal Investigator
Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences
Member, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
tasfar@miami.edu
(305) 243-3826
Dr. Asfar has extensive experience in tobacco control research nationally and internationally. Since 2001, her tobacco control work has been funded continuously by the NIH and conducted both in the United States and the Eastern Mediterranean Region, including Syria, Lebanon, and Tunisia. This work involves epidemiological and qualitative studies of tobacco use, randomized clinical trials of smoking cessation interventions, and tobacco regulatory research in health communication approaches targeting emerging tobacco products such as e-cigarettes and hookahs. She has two overarching aims in her research: (1) improving smoking cessation treatment among socially disadvantaged and high-risk populations (i.e., low-income adults, ethnic minorities, HIV patients, cancer survivors); and (2) preventing tobacco use among youth and young adults by advancing health communication strategies, such as health warning labels. She has more than 60 peer-reviewed publications (Asfar T - Search Results - PubMed) and many of these are in leading, high impact journals in this field (i.e., Tobacco Control; Nicotine and Tobacco Research; Addiction; and the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group). Dr. Asfar has currently five active grants as PI including:
- 1R01DA051836: Developing and testing health warning labels on the ENDS (electronic cigarette) device
- 20K10 James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program: Developing and testing waterpipe-specific health warning labels targeting young people in Florida
- R01TW010654-01: Translating Evidence and Building Capacity to Support Waterpipe Control in the Eastern Mediterranean
- CFAR Pilot Award P30AI07396: “Mind2Quit” Developing A Mindfulness Smartphone App for Smoking Cessation for People Living with HIV
- Sylvester Cancer Center Pilot Award P30CA240139: Smartphone Application versus In-Person Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention for Young Cancer Survivors: Reach versus Effectiveness
Daniela Avendano, M.S.
Senior Research Associate
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
dxa1356@med.miami.edu
Daniela Avendano is a psychology researcher with a master’s degree from The New School for Social Research. Her work focuses on identity, cultural belonging, and social behavior within Latin American communities. She was selected as a poster presenter at the 2024 APS Conference for her research on Latinx identity and alienating terminology, and was also a finalist in the APS 3-Minute Thesis competition for her work on sociolinguistic labels and civic engagement.
She has experience in survey design, participant recruitment, and behavioral data analysis. Fluent in Spanish, Daniela also brings a strong background in child development, ABA therapy, and culturally responsive education to her public health work.
Roxana de Dios, B.S., M.P.H.
Research Assistant
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
rad317@miami.edu
Roxana de Dios Despaux is a research assistant with a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology from Florida International University’s Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. She brings experience analyzing student health data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA), where she identified important health trends and disparities among college students in Florida. Her work has placed a particular emphasis on mental health and wellness within minority and LGBTQ populations, aiming to uncover the unique challenges these groups face.
Roxana is passionate about advancing health equity through rigorous epidemiologic research and data-driven interventions. Her expertise includes managing complex datasets and applying statistical methods to better understand health behaviors and outcomes. She is committed to leveraging her skills to support public health initiatives that address disparities and promote well-being among vulnerable communities.
Maria Fernanda Garcia, B.S.
Research Assistant
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
mfg136@med.miami.edu
Maria Fernanda Garcia is a research assistant in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She holds a B.S. in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Health Administration from Florida Atlantic University. She brings experience as a medical assistant and phlebotomist, with a strong foundation in clinical care and healthcare administration. She previously presented a study at FAU’s Research Symposium, earning second place recognition. Maria is passionate about advancing patient care through evidence-based research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Maria is currently preparing to apply to a master’s program to become a certified anesthesiologist assistant, with the goal of delivering high-quality care in surgical and perioperative settings. Long term, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. to contribute to research aimed at improving healthcare systems and patient outcomes.
Laura Gonzalez
Research Assistant
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
ldg73@med.miami.edu
Laura Gonzalez is a Research Assistant at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences. She brings four years of experience as a Clinical Research Coordinator, with a strong background in managing and overseeing clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, including Vaccines, Respiratory, and Immunology. She has collaborated closely with contract research organizations (CROs) and pharmaceutical sponsors and has served as the lead coordinator on COPD studies. Her clinical research experience includes contributions to pivotal COVID-19 vaccine trials conducted by Moderna, Pfizer, Novavax, and Janssen. She is currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry at Miami Dade College and is committed to advancing public health through evidence-based research and clinical innovation.
Jayanthi Jayakumaran, B.E., M.S.
Data Analyst
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
jxj2394@med.miami.edu
Jayanthi Jayakumaran is a dedicated Data Science and Biostatistics professional with a Master’s in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence from Florida International University. Specializing in biostatistics data analytics, she excels in transforming complex data into actionable insights. As a Research Analyst at the University of Miami, Jayanthi analyzes research data, ensures report accuracy, and supports grant proposals, adhering to rigorous standards. With a Bachelor’s in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, she honed her technical foundation as a Systems Engineer at Tata Consultancy Services. She is certified in human subjects research and skilled in SAS, SPSS, and Microsoft Office. Jayanthi is committed to advancing public health through precise, impactful research.
