Publications and Grants
2021-2024 Faculty Peer-reviewed Journal Publications
Dr. Shinwoo Choi
Choi, S., Alfonso, R.A., & Salinas, J. (In Press). From access to agency: Empowering older adults for critical AI use. The Gerontologist.
Park, H., Choi, S., Noh, K., Min, J. J., & Forton, A. (2025). Does resilience act as a mediator between social support and psychological distress among Korean immigrants in the U.S.? An exploratory study with the application of a moderated mediation model. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare
Choi, S., Weng, S., Feliciano, G., Benton, A., Kim, Y. (2025). Environmental justice, vulnerable populations, and social services: Perspectives from environmental activists. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare. 6(1), 316-326. https://doi.org/10.25082/swsw.2025.01.001
Choi, S., Park, H., Ausbrooks, A., Mendenhall, R., Harwood, S.A., Huntt, M.B., & Gough, H.R. (2025). A machine learning approach to Asian & Asian-American young adults’ experience of depressive symptoms and racial microaggressions. Studies in Clinical Social Work: Transforming Practice, Education and Research.
Choi, S., Choi, M.J., Shamrova, D., Hong, J-Y., Kim, Y-J., & Mullan, S.N. (2025). Challenges and resilience of families with young children amid hurricanes: A qualitative inquiry. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894231217327
Shamrova, D.P., Lee, J., & Choi, S. (2024). School bullying victimization and child subjective well-being in East Asian countries and territories: Role of children’s participation in decision-making in schools and community. Children & Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12888
Nur, A.S., Nam, B.H., Choi, S., & Kim, Y-J. Monitoring of ground subsidence using PS-InSAR technique in the Southeast Texas (SETX) Region. (2024). International Journal of Geo-Engineering, 15(13). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40703‑024‑00215‑3
Choi, S., Alberton, A., Park, H., Song, E. J., Gough, H. R., & Lee, I. S. (2023). Racial microaggressions and Asian Americans’ well-being: A scoping review and exploratory meta-analysis. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 5(20), 52-88.
Park, H., Noh, K., Choi, S., & Min, J.J. (2023). Social support as a moderator between resilience and psychological distress among Korean Americans perceiving racial discrimination during COVID-19: An exploratory application of a moderated mediation model. International Journal of Intercultural Relations.
Choi, S., Kim, Y-J., Nam, B-H., Hong, J-Y., & Cummings, C. (2023). Perceived vulnerability to Disease (PVD), resilience, and mental health outcome of Korean immigrants amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A machine learning approach. Natural Hazards Review, 24(2).
Kim, Y. J., Nam, B. H., Jung, Y. H., Liu, X., Choi, S., Kim, D., & Kim, S. (2022). Probabilistic spatial susceptibility modeling of carbonate karst sinkhole. Engineering Geology, 106728.
Choi, S., Park, H., Kim, Y., & Lin, C-H. (2022). School-based mental health services for racial minority children in the United States. International Journal of School Social Work, 7(1).
Park, H., & Choi, S. (2022) Understanding the perceptions of low-income American working mothers in rural areas: Exploratory analysis of relative care. Journal of Family Studies.
Dr. Hyejin Jung
Apaflo, J. N., Narvaez, G., Tomy, I. J., Mossayebi, A., Fatahimeiabadi, Z., McAinch, A. J., Thyfault, J.P., Min, K., Jung, H., Wagler, A.E., & Bajpeyi, S. (2025). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation enhances glycemic control and carbohydrate utilization in sedentary, predominantly Hispanic overweight or obese individuals with hyperglycemia. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 1-9.
Eno Louden, J., Avila, A., Esparza del Villar, O., Jung, H., Kosyluk, K., & Flores, E. (2023). Self-stigma of mental illness among Latinos on the U.S.-México border. Stigma and Health, 8(1), 21-30.
Bajpeyi, S., Mossayebi, A., Kreit, H., Cherukuri, S., Mandania, R. A., Concha, J. B., Jung, H., Wagler, A. E., & Deoker, A. (2022). Unmanaged diabetes and elevated blood glucose are poor prognostic factors in the severity and recovery time in predominantly Hispanic hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.861385
Jung, H., Jaime, J., & Lee, S. (2022). Mental health in subsidized housing: Readiness to assist residents with mental health issues in subsidized housing from the perspectives of housing employees. Qualitative Social Work, 21(5), 850-868.
Dr. Jason Mallonee
Robles, E. H., Castro, Y., Najera, S., Cardoso, J., Gonzales, R., Mallonee, J., Segovia, J., Hinojosa-Salazar, L., De Vargas, C., & Field, C. (2024). Men of Mexican ethnicity, alcohol use, and help-seeking: “I can quit on my own.” Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 163, 209359–209359. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2024.209359
Mallonee, J., Escalante, R., Robles, E. H., & Tucker, C. (2023). “Something very taboo": A qualitative exploration of beliefs, barriers, and recommendations for improving mental health care and access for Hispanic adults in the Paso del Norte U.S.-Mexico border region. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1134076–1134076. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1134076
Lee, J. M., Park, J., Lee, H., Lee, J., & Mallonee, J. (2023). The Impact of cyberbullying victimization on academic satisfaction among sexual minority college students: The indirect effect of flourishing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(13), 6248. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20136248
Lee, J., Kim, J., Lee, H., Park, J., Mallonee, J., & Lee, J. M. (2023). Differential associations among cyberbullying victimization, parental monitoring, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in male and female college students. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2023.2230204
Mallonee, J., Gergerich, E., Gherardi, S., & Allbright, J. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 on social work mental health services in the United States: Lessons from the early days of a global pandemic. Social Work in Mental Health 20(5), 497-516. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2022.2028272
Mallonee, J., Petros, R., & Solomon, P. (2022). Explaining engagement in outpatient therapy among adults with serious mental health conditions by degree of therapeutic alliance, therapist empathy, and perceived coercion. Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 45(1), 79-88. https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000490
Dr. Eva Moya
Aoyapi, K., LaValley, M., Neogi, T., Edwards, R., Rivas, E., Bajpeyi, S., Mandal. A., Moya, E., Lechuga, J. (2025) Relations of social determinants of health to pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis in a Hispanic dominant community. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities.
Moya, E. M., Schober, G. S., Wagler, A., Ayala-Demeo Brown, J., Chavez-Baray, S. M., Liang, P., & Kennebrew, R. (2025). The Effects of Food Security on Academic Performance of 91Å®Éñ Students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(2), 266.
Schober, G. S., Chakraborty, J., Castillo, K. N., & Moya, E. M. (2025). Assessing food pantry usage and distance to a food pantry in El Paso County, Texas. International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research, 16(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.4018/ijagr.385015p
Calalán Gomez, C., Moya, E., Gomez Rodriguez, Gustavo A., Chavez-Baray, S. M., (2025). Experiencias de conducta sexual en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres con obesidad. Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (Quito). https://revistadigital.uce.edu.ec/index.php/ciencias_medicas/article/view/6790
Fullerton, T. M., Schober, G. S., Fullerton, S. L., Moya, E. M. (2024). Food insecurity cost estimates for El Paso, Texas. Journal of Applied Business & Economics, 26(4), 110-118.
Ravi, P., Muralidhar, K., Madhivanan, P., Wilson, A. M., von Hippel, F. A., Salamova, A., Moya, E., & Gerald, L. B. (2024). Occupational exposures among women beedi workers in Mysore District, India: A mixed-methods study protocol. Plos one, 19(4), e0297638.
Martinez, J., Cordero, J., Whitney, M., La Roche, K., Frietze, G., Moya, E., Gosselink, K. (2024). Web-based human papillomavirus education and professional skills intervention for health professionals: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols.
Samsamshariat, T., Madhivanan, P., Reyes Fernández Prada, A., Moya, E. M., Meza, G., Reinders, S., & Blas, M. M. (October 2023). Hear my voice: Understanding how community health workers in the Peruvian Amazon expanded their roles to mitigate the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic through community‑based participatory research. BMJ Global Health, 8(10).
Whitney, M., Chávez-Baray, S., Villarreal, A., Moya, E. (2023). Cervical cancer prevention and treatment needs among Hispanic women living on the US-Mexico border. SAGE Open, 13(4).
Frietze, G., Padilla, M., Cordero, J., Gosselink, K., & Moya, E. (2023). Human papillomavirus vaccine acceptance (HPV-VA) and vaccine uptake (HPV-VU): Assessing the impact of theory, culture, and trusted sources of information in a Hispanic community. BMC Public Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16628-1
Moya, E. M., Garcia, A., Ponder, A. J., & Frietze, G. (2023). Addressing knowledge gaps: The key role of community health workers and healthcare providers in human papillomavirus prevention and vaccine uptake in a border community. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1243539
Moya, E.M., Joyce-Ponder, A., Garcia, A., & Flores, J. (2023). Chronic health risks and healthcare access for adults experiencing homelessness in El Paso, TX during COVID-19 times. EHQUIDAD. Revista Internacional de Políticas de Bienestar y Trabajo Social, (19), 121-144. https://doi.org/10.15257/ehquidad.2023.0005
Avila, A., Cordero, J., Ibilah, O., Frietze, G., & Moya, E.M. (2022). Hispanic survivors and caregivers of hpv-associated cancers: Lived experiences in a U.S.-Mexico border community. Health Education & Behavior.
Moya, E., Wagler, A., Ayala, J., Crouse, M., Garcia, A. & Schober, G. (2022). Analyses of food and housing insecurity among college students in a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition.
Wagler, A, Schober, G., Chavez-Baray, S., Ayala, J., Dessauer, P., Moya, E. (2022). Housing and food insecurity at a leading U.S. Hispanic Serving Institution: An examination before and during COVID-19 Pandemic. Frontiers in Public Health, 10.
Moya, E. M., Chávez-Baray, S., Garcia, A., & McCreary, R. (2022). Analysis of cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) in adolescents and young adults in two Texas rural communities. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing.
Dr. Yok-Fong Paat
Eneh, S., Tuwleh, L., Onukansi, F., Chiburoma, A., Ogini, I., Joseph, O., Miller, D., Nazir, A., Ikhuoria, O., Anokwuru, C., Obi, C., Ojo, T., & Paat, Y.-F. (2026). Strengthening health systems in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa through the WHO Hub for Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Response. One Health Outlook, 8. 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42522-026-00197-5
Paat, Y.-F., Gutierrez, M., Scully, S., Wagovich, S., Stevens, K., Contreras, G., & Torres, M. L. (2026). Hope and despair: Life outlook as a predictor of loneliness among veterans. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion. 7(1), 145-172. https://doi.org/10.1177/26320770251351954
Paat, Y.-F., Hope, T. L., Wagovich, S., Cheon, H., Cruz, E. M., & Orezzoli-Garcia, M. C. E. (2025). Understanding factors associated with social disconnectedness and educational disengagement among school-aged youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discover Public Health, 22, 666. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-025-00922-x
Yeager, K. H., Paat, Y.-F., Argus-Calvo, B., Childress, D. C., Beavers, E., & Peralta Matus, B. (2025). Factors influencing job satisfaction and intent to leave among early intervention professionals. Infants and Young Children. https://doi.org/10.1097/IYC.0000000000000310
Paat, Y.-F., Dorado, A. V., Garcia Tovar, D. E., Myers, N. W., Ruiz, S. L., Perez, D. A., Ramirez Vara, B., Camacho, E., Núñez-Mchiri, G. G., Zamora, H., Jr., Singh, K. C, & Polanco, R. (2025). Toward a sustainable future: Advancing health promotion in underserved populations through collaborative engagement. Sustainability, 17(16), 7507. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167507
Paat, Y.-F., Yeager, K. H., Cruz, E. M., Cole, R., & Torres-Hostos, L. R. (2025). Understanding youth violence through a socio-ecological lens. Social Sciences, 14(7), 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14070424
Paat, Y.-F., Garcia Tovar, D., Myers, N. W., Orezzoli, M. C. E., Giangiulio, A., Dorado, A. V., & Torres-Hostos, L. R. (2025). Leveraging an arts-based approach to foster engagement, cultivate kindness, and prevent violence. Behavioral Sciences, 15(6), 799. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15060799
Paat, Y.-F., Dorado, A. V., Myers, N. W., Martinez, A. & Scully, S. (2025). Mental health challenges and barriers to veterans’ adjustment to civilian life on the U.S.-Mexico Border. Healthcare, 13(3), 220. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030220
Paat, Y.-F., Srinivasan, S. M., & Lin, M.-L. (2024). A socio-ecological approach to understanding self-regulation among adolescents with developmental challenges and delays. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health. https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2024-0050
Paat, Y.-F., Mangadu, T., Payan, S. L., & Flores, S. C. (2024). Rethinking the roles of the Social Determinants of Health in bystander intervention for partner violence among college students. Societies, 14(11), 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc14110229
Paat, Y.-F., & Lin, M.-L. (2024). A socio-ecological approach to understanding the utility of kindness in promoting wellness: A conceptual paper. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 10, 101159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.101159
Paat, Y.-F., Hope, T. L., Ferreira-Pinto , J., & Olvera Alvarez, H. (2024). A bio-psycho-social approach to understanding optimism and pessimism in response to stress. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 14(10), 2671-2685. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14100176
Lin, M.-L., & Paat, Y.-F. (2024). Perceived emotional self-efficacy and life satisfaction of elementary school children on the US-Mexico Border. Global Pediatric Health. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333794X241286719
Morales, D. X., & Paat, Y.-F. (2024). Hesitancy or resistance? Differential changes in COVID-19 vaccination intention between Black and White Americans. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 11, 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-022-01494-1
Paat, Y.-F., Camacho, E., Ruiz, S. L., Garcia Tovar, D., Núñez-Mchiri, G. G., Duarte-Gardea, M. O., Corral, G., Oviedo Ramirez, S., Markham, C., Torres-Hostos, L., Singh, K. C., Zamora, H., Jr., & Myers, N. W. (2024). A socio-ecological approach to a community-based health promotion intervention on the U.S.-Mexico Border: Insights and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Applied Social Science, 18(1), 62-77. https://doi.org/10.1177/19367244231202715
Paat, Y.-F., & Hope, T. L. (2024). Physical and psychological intimate partner violence among Hispanic origin emerging adults: Co-occurrence, bidirectionality, and persistence. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 33(2), 143-160. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2023.2174465
Paat, Y.-F., & Morales, D. X. (2024). Perceived discrimination and relative deprivation as predictors for age differences in loneliness. Social Work in Mental Health, 22(5), 623-644. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2024.2357352
Srinivasan, S. M., & Paat, Y.-F. (2024). A data-centric approach to understanding the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Big Data and Cognitive Computing, 8, 111. https://doi.org/10.3390/bdcc8090111
Lin, M.-L., Paat, Y.-F., Cooper, A., Molina, C., Smith, E., Millar, C., & Fierro, C. (2023). A universal mental health promotion program that demonstrates psychosocial benefits for elementary school students who perceive low emotional self-efficacy. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 16(4), 450-465. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2022.2106342
Paat, Y.-F., Hope, T. L., & Dominguez, S. (2023). Substance use behavior among Hispanic emerging adults in Los Angeles, California. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 22(2), 453-476. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332640.2021.1952131
Paat, Y.-F., Hope, T. L., Zamora, H., Jr., & Hernandez, E. (2023). Predictors of general deviance in the context of COVID-19. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X231172644
Paat, Y.-F., Orezzoli, M. C. E., Ngan, C.-K., & Olimpo, J. (2023). Racial health disparities and black heterogeneity in COVID-19: A case study of Miami Gardens. Journal of Applied Social Science, 17(2), 190-208. https://doi.org/10.1177/19367244221142565
Paat, Y.-F., Torres-Hostos, L., Garcia Tovar, D., Camacho, E., Zamora, H., & Myers, N. W. (2023). An integrated ecological approach to countering targeted violence on the US-Mexico Border: Insights and lessons learned. Journal of Prevention & Intervention in the Community, 51(4), 375-395. https://doi.org/10.1080/10852352.2023.2297096
Wong, N. C. W., & Paat, Y.-F. (2023). Understanding the link between COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS stigmas. Journal of Applied Social Science, 17(2), 272-290. https://doi.org/10.1177/19367244231159609
Ngan, C.-K., Paat, Y.-F., & ☺Green, R. (2022). HDSS: A healthcare decision support system on combining domain knowledge and data analytics for predicting potential risk of mental health. International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 15(4), 465-491. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJADS.2022.10040987
Paat, Y.-F. (2022). Factors facilitating and hindering volunteering practices among ethnic-racial minority immigrants on the US-Mexico border. Journal of Civil Society, 18(1), 49-68. https://doi.org/10.1080/17448689.2022.2061549
Paat, Y.-F., Marentes Saucedo, C., Rojas, R., Muoz. J., Molina, A. A., Yoshimoto, M., Sanchez, S., Gonzalez, A. M., & De La Hoya, R. (2022). Living in limbo: Aspiration-attainment gap, occupational health risks, and intergenerational mobility of migrant farm workers in El Paso, Texas. Journal of Poverty, 26(1), 73-91. https://doi.org/10.1080/10875549.2021.1890666
Paat, Y.-F., Markham, C., & Mangadu, T. (2022). Risky sexual behavior among Mexican-origin emerging adults in Los Angeles. Social Work in Public Health, 37(8), 781-795. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2022.2089798
Dr. Jennifer J. Salinas
Choi, S., Rojas, A., & Salinas, J. J. (accepted). From access to agency: Empowering older adults for critical AI use. The Gerontologist.
Varpaei, H., Buchholz, S., Bhandari, B., Gay, J. L., Carmignani, K., Wang, J., Kalyanaraman, S., Sender, J., & Salinas, J. (accepted). Exploration of text messaging interventions within the Hispanic communities: Protocol for a scoping review. JMIR.
Salinas, J. J., Buchholz, S. W., Yin, Z., Gay, J. L., Wang, J., Rajbhandari-Thapa, J., Wilson, M. G., Finley, E. P., Mulla, Z. D., Ramirez, E., & Parra-Medina, D. (2026). 50k4life: A smart study protocol to improve walking engagement in public school employees on the US–Mexico border. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 161, 108211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2025.108211
Salinas, J. J., Buchholz, S. W., Yin, Z., Gay, J. L., Wang, J., Rajbhandari-Thapa, J., Wilson, M. G., Finley, E. P., Mulla, Z. D., Ramirez, E., & Parra-Medina, D. (in press). An evaluation of the usability and feasibility of the 50K4Life mobile application for delivering walking challenges to public school administrative employees: A beta testing study. JMIR.
Spitz, L., Valenzuela, R., & Salinas, J. (2024). Evaluating a community-based walking program: A mixed methods assessment of community capacity. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22(1), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2023-0286
Miller, M., Valenzuela, R., & Salinas, J. J. (2024). Change in nutrition behavior among Mexican Americans after participating in an obesity-related cancer education program. Cancer Control, 31. https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748241261567
Salinas, J., & Valenzuela, R. (2024). Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the implementation process of a tailored-education program to reduce obesity-related cancers in El Paso, Texas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1051. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081051
Spitz, L., Saadiq, S., Shokar, N. K., Zuckerman, M. J., Valenzuela, R., Casner, N. A., & Salinas, J. J. (2024). Characterization of an at-risk population for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a primary care setting along the U.S.-Mexico border. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10436596241271265
Kershaw, K. N., Magnani, J. W., Diez Roux, A. V., Camacho-Rivera, M., Jackson, E. A., Johnson, A., Magwood, G. S., Morgenstern, L. B., Salinas, J. J., Sims, M., & Mujahid, M. S. (2023). AHA scientific statement neighborhoods and cardiovascular health: A statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1161/HCQ.0000000000000124
Valenzuela, R., Miller, M., & Salinas, J. J. (2023). Repeated walking challenge campaign participation increases step averages among Mexican Americans living in an inactive U.S.-Mexico border community. Discovery Social Science and Health, 3(11). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-023-00041-5
Valenzuela, R., Morales, A., Sheen, J., Rangel, S., & Salinas, J. (2023). The implementation of evidence-based obesity education curricula to prevent cancer in a predominantly Mexican American community on the U.S.-Mexico border. Journal of Cancer Education, 38(1), 215-224. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-021-02101-3
Salinas, J. J., Sheen, J., Shokar, N., Wright, J., Vazquez, G., & Alozie, O. (2022). An electronic medical records study of population obesity prevalence in El Paso, Texas. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22(46). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-09092-w
Shokar, N. K., Salinas, J. J., & Dwivedi, A. (2022). Mediators of screening uptake in a colorectal cancer screening intervention among Hispanics. BMC Cancer, 22(37). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-09092-w
Valenzuela, R., Saadiq, S., Cobos, S., & Salinas, J. J. (2022). Engagement in physical activity improves after participation in Pasos Para Prevenir Cancer—An obesity-related cancer prevention program in El Paso, Texas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18). 11607. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811607
Salinas, J. J., Valenzuela, R., Sheen, J., Carlyle, M., Gay, J., & Morales, A. (2022). An ORBIT Phase 1: Design study of a citywide employer-based walking challenges in a predominantly Mexican American metropolitan area. Journal of Health Psychology, 27(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320977650
Grant and Awards
Dr. Hyejin Jung:
Project title: Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Collaborative (CWTC)
Primary focus: To provide specialized training and education to enhance the child welfare workforce
Funding source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Amount: $1,544,842.00
Timeframe: 2022-2027
Role: PI, Balderrama, E. (Co-PI), Seanz, C. (Co-PI).
Project title: Improving Glycemic Control with Electrical Stimulation in Mexican-Americans
Primary focus: To determine the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to increase glycemic control, insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in at-risk populations.
Funding source: National Institute of Health – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Amount: $613,000.00
Timeframe: 2022-2026
Role: Co-I
Project title: The Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program in the U.S. Borderland
Primary focus: To conduct research and provide bilingual geriatric education and training for healthcare and supportive geriatric care workforces
Funding source: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Amount: $5,000,000.00
Timeframe: 2024-2029
Role: Co-PI
Dr. Jason Mallonee
Project title: Pensamiento y Pláticas: A Mental Health Engagement Program
Primary focus: To provide a community grounded mental health engagement program to the El Paso community
Funding source: Paso del Norte Health Foundation
Amount: $55,379
Timeframe: 2023-2025
Role: PI
Project title: Reducing Mental Health Disparities for Hispanic Adults in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region Through a Community-Grounded Mental Health Engagement Programa
Primary focus: To develop and provide a community grounded mental health engagement program to the El Paso community
Funding source: Sobel-Duncan Health Disparities Research Award
Amount: $40,000
Timeframe: 2022-2023
Role: PI
Project title: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Food Security Outcomes During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic for a Comprehensive Food Pantry Program in El Paso, TX
Primary focus: To conduct a mixed methods evaluation of experiences and effectiveness of a comprehensive food pantry program.
Funding source: National Library of Medicine Environmental Health Information Partnership Outreach and Engagement Award through Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Amount: $7,500
Timeframe: 2022-2023
Role: PI
Project title: Pensamiento y Pláticas: A Mental Health Engagement Program
Primary focus: To provide a community grounded mental health engagement program to the El Paso community
Funding source: Paso del Norte Health Foundation
Amount: $55,379
Timeframe: 2023-2025
Role: PI
Project title: Reducing Mental Health Disparities for Hispanic Adults in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region Through a Community-Grounded Mental Health Engagement Program
Primary focus: To develop and provide a community grounded mental health engagement program to the El Paso community
Funding source: Sobel-Duncan Health Disparities Research Award
Amount: $40,000
Timeframe: 2022-2023
Role: PI
Project title: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Food Security Outcomes During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic for a Comprehensive Food Pantry Program in El Paso, TX
Primary focus: To conduct a mixed methods evaluation of experiences and effectiveness of a comprehensive food pantry program.
Funding source: National Library of Medicine Environmental Health Information Partnership Outreach and Engagement Award through Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Amount: $7,500
Timeframe: 2022-2023
Role: PI
Dr. Eva M. Moya:
Project title: Pete Herrera Library Program Evaluation and Case Study, San Elizario
Primary focus: To support Familias Triunfadoras in the documentation of the impact of the community library. Assessment and Education Project
Funding source: The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
Amount: $82,500
Timeframe: Fall 2025- Fall 2026
Role: PI, Chavez, Baray, S. (Co-PI).
Project title: LCSW-S Training Program
Primary focus: Provision of supervision for UTEP LMSW Alumni to prepare for LCSW licensure
Funding source: Private gift to UTEP by the La Mantia Family Foundation
Amount: $131,000
Timeframe: 2024-2026
Role: Director. Dr. Jason Mallonee and Dr. Viridiana Ortiz, Clinical Supervisors.
Project title: H.O.P.E.+ Health Fairs and Mobile Clinics
Primary focus: Provision of health and human services for vulnerable communities through high impact education practices.
Funding source: Direct Relief Health Equity Fund gift to the UT Foundation
Amount: $280,000
Timeframe: 2024 - 2026
Role: PI, Solis, G. (Co-PI)
Project title: Feasibility of community-engaged Promotoras model of care to address neurorehabilitation health disparities following stroke and spinal cord injuries in the Borderplex
Primary focus: Research on the role of CHWs
Funding source: UTEP Center for Investigator Training and Community Engagement on Transdisciplinary Minority Health Disparities Research Cohort 1 Pilot Projects 2025
Amount: $50,000
Timeframe: 2025
Role: Geed, S. (PI), Moya Co-PI
Project title: Parents and Health Workers United for HPV Cancer Prevention
Primary focus: Increase HPV awareness, vaccination uptake and training of health care professionals.
Funding source: The 91Å®Éñ of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Amount: Phase 1: $240,000, Phase II: $187,000, Phase III: $5,000
Timeframe: 2025-2026
Role: PI, Martinez, J. (Co-PI).
Project title: Food Security Equity Impact Grant Agreement
Primary focus: Increase awareness of food security (in) on campus and generate campus support and student engagement to address root causes of food insecurity.
Funding source: Feeding America National Office grant to El Paso Fighting Hunger Food Bank
Amount: $89,000
Timeframe: 2024-2025
Role: Schober, G. (PI); Moya (Co-PI)
Rosario Olivera:
Project title: Be your border teen pregnancy prevention program
Primary focus: reduce teen pregnancy rates in the El Paso border region
Funding source: Federal – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Population Affairs (OPA)
Amount: $500,000
Timeframe: 2023 - 2028
Role: PI
Project title: The Mental health Service Provision and Awareness program
Primary focus: Expand community and school-based capacity for mental health awareness and crisis response through Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Funding source: Federal – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Amount: $500,000
Timeframe: 2022 - 2026
Role: PI
Project title: Mental Health Awareness Training Program
Primary focus: deliver Youth and Adult MHFA trainings in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters and local schools
Funding source: Federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Amount: $80,400
Timeframe: 2023 - 2026
Role: PI
Dr. Yok-Fong Paat:
Project title: Bridging Creativity
Primary focus: Education
Funding source: National Endowment for the Arts
Amount: $15,000
Timeframe: 2026-2027
Role: PI
Project title: Building Mental Health Resilience in Migrant and Refugee Communities
Primary focus: Education
Funding source: Southwest Key Programs, Inc through SAMHSA
Amount: $100,000
Timeframe: 2025-2026
Role: PI
Project title: REACH (Resilience, Education, Action, Commitment, and Humanity)
Primary focus: Violence prevention
Funding source: Department of Homeland Security
Amount: $296,806
Timeframe: 2023-2025
Role: PI
Project title: REACH (Resilience, Education, Action, Commitment, and Humanity)
Primary focus: Violence prevention
Funding source: Department of Homeland Security
Amount: $750,000
Timeframe: 2021-2023
Role: PI
Project title: Healthy Families Healthy Kids Initiative
Primary focus: Health promotion
Funding source: HRSA
Amount: $250,000
Timeframe: 2021-2026
Role: PI
Dr. Jennifer Salinas:
Project title: Evidence-based intervention to improve walking engagement in El Paso, Texas
Primary focus: RCT to improve walking among public school teachers.
Funding source: NIH
Amount: $4.4 Million
Timeframe 2023-2028
Role: PI
Project title: Regents Research Excellence Program
Primary focus: To increase metabolic disease research capacity through recruitment of faculty and post-docs.
Funding source: NIH
Amount: ~$4 million
Timeframe 2024-
Role: Co-I
Lectures
Lecture: Creating Socially Just Communities of Forgiveness, Racial Healing, and Race Equity: From Me To We by Darlyne Bailey, Ph.D., LISW
Professor and Dean Emeritus
Director, Social Justice Initiative
Special Assistant to the President for Community Partnerships
Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research
Dr. Bailey Presentation