Lab Members

Meet Our Team

Taghrid Asfar

Taghrid Asfar

Professor

(305) 243-3826
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Taghrid Asfar is a Professor at the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, and a Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center member. Dr. Asfar has extensive experience in tobacco control research nationally and internationally, including epidemiological studies of tobacco use, randomized clinical...
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Daniela Avendano

Daniela Avendano

Sr. Research Associate 1, SOM (N) (A)

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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...
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Roxana Ailena De Dios Despaux

Roxana Ailena De Dios Despaux

Research Assistant

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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...
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Maria Fernanda Garcia

Maria Fernanda Garcia

Research Assistant 1 (A)

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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...
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Laura Gonzalez

Laura Gonzalez

Research Assistant 1 (A)

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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,...
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Jayanthi Jayakumaran

Jayanthi Jayakumaran

Research Analyst 1 (N) (A)

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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...
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Students

Portrait of Claudia Bonilla

Claudia Bonilla

MPH Student Volunteer

cmb383@miami.edu

Claudia Michelle Bonilla is a student research assistant volunteer and an MPH candidate at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine's Department of Public Health Sciences. She has prior experience in assisting research studies in cognitive psychology with older adults. Her research interests include Latinx health disparities, substance abuse, and infectious diseases. She is currently involved in research on smoking cessation.

Portrait of Eduardo Hernandez

Eduardo Hernandez

MPH Student Volunteer

elh100@miami.edu

Eduardo Hernandez is a research assistant in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is pursuing a Master of Public Health and holds a B.S. in Health Sciences with minors in Biology and Public Health. His research experience spans public health, health communication, and neurovascular disorders.

As an undergraduate student, Eduardo raised $7,500 for ALS research as a member of Phi Delta Theta and volunteered with the Ridgefield Park Fire Department. He plans to apply to medical school to integrate clinical care with public health research and advocacy.

Portrait of Olusanya Joshua Oluwole

Olusanya Joshua Oluwole

Doctoral Candidate

ojo18@miami.edu

Olusanya J. Oluwole is a research analyst at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Department of Public Health Sciences. He has experience in clinical medicine, biostatistics and public health. His previous research experience focused on infectious diseases, indoor air pollution, breast and brain cancer. He is currently involved in research on tobacco use and smoking cessation.

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