Meet the Team

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Health promotion and education (graduate work), psychology and business (undergraduate). Areas of focus include community health, body image/disordered eating, substance use and mental health, and food justice.

What is a health and wellness fun fact you love sharing with others? My family and pup, Max.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: Cultural wellness - I've spent some time researching my family origin stories that were lost due to violence and war which has helped me to not only learn about my heritage but find connections to my life today and cultivate a sense of gratitude.

What is one thing that brings you joy? Something that brings me joy is crocheting. I learned how to crochet during the pandemic and I have done some really fun projects! Right now, I’m working on a baby blanket for my nephew who’s on the way.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: I have been working on developing my emotional wellness for awhile now. Something that allows me to maintain wellbeing in this area is making sure I take intentional time away from distractions (phone, computer, etc.). I have found that to be very beneficial.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Health Education Specialist and Wellness Coaching

What is a health and wellness fun fact you love sharing with others? Wellbeing is a state, and self-esteem is as important to our wellbeing as legs are to a table.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: I am working on my physical wellness, I spent sometime to engage gym activities every alternate day.

What is a health and wellness fun fact you love sharing with others? Spending time outside every day (for just 15 minutes!) can boost your mood, improve your cognitive function (memory and learning), reduce stress, and boost your mental health. 

What is one thing that brings you joy? Seeing others succeed in the changes they are making. Watching someone go from being unsure or hesitant about something they want to do to see it become part of who they are is amazing! Also, baking (bread, cookies, and cake) brings me lots of joy!

What part of your position/job do you value most? I value seeing a smile due to positive outcomes in my job.

What do you do in your spare time? When I’m not working, I enjoy binge-watching Grace and Frankie on Netflix.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pozole.

What is your dream vacation destination? Italy.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Social Work

What is one thing that brings you joy? I love spending time with my family and taking care of my (too many) plants! 

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your well-being in this area of life: I'm focusing on my occupational wellness by working outside when the weather allows!

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Social Media Marketing and Communication

What is one thing that brings you joy? Reading fantasy/romance books and going on walks with my kids.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your well-being in this area of life: I'm working on developing my emotional wellness. What has helped me maintain my well-being is getting enough sleep, taking time to rest, and spending time outside each day. 

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? I am a lifelong student of nutrition and it's impacts on health.

What is a health and wellness fun fact you love sharing with others? A wellness fact I like to share with others is that taking short walks every 30 mins (or as often as possible) can have a big impact on our mood and things like blood pressure and blood sugar.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Social Work 

What is one thing that brings you joy? Looking for rocks to tumble while being in nature. 

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your well-being in this area of life: I'm focusing on my occupational wellness by utilizing Red Butte Gardens and the fine arts museum, UMFA during lunch breaks. 

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Spiritual Wellness, Community Engagement, Reproductive Justice

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your well-being in this area of life: I’m working on building my intellectual wellness practices by nurturing my curiosity. I recently started taking piano lessons and I’m working toward building my Spanish fluency by taking courses each semester. One thing that brings me joy is playing music and singing with friends.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Health Education and Wellness Coaching (MS)

What is one thing that brings you joy?  Going on a walk after class helps me calm down and enjoy my environment. I basically achieve my physical wellness goals and enjoy the beauty in my environment.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: I am current working on the emotional domain of wellness majorly stress management. I do this by taking regular walks in parks while listening to my favorite podcast. This helps me take my mind away from the stress of the day.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Sociology and Education.

What is one thing that brings you joy?  Live music.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: I'm prioritizing my emotional wellness by practicing yoga more than I think I need and by exploring my creativity through music, crafting playlists that can aid in emotional release or boost mood and energy. 

What part of your position/job do you value most? I enjoy taking on the department's administrative tasks which allows the advocates and educators to focus on the students who require their expertise.

What is your favorite thing on Netflix to binge? Father Brown

If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Eggs, bacon, and home fries. Yum!

What is your dream vacation destination? I would love to go to Belize - Beaches, jungles, Mayan ruins, a barrier reef and lots of marine life. 

What is one thing that brings you joy? One thing that brings me joy is re-reading my favorite books (currently: Empire of Storms).

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: I have worked on my environmental and financial wellness by walking to work and biking to class.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Community-based advocacy background with specialization in criminal justice.

What is one thing that brings you joy?  One thing that brings me joy is spending time outside with my dog and taking in the earth and sounds of life around me. 

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: I like to call myself a lifelong learner and this year, I'm focusing more on the overlap between occupational/intellectual wellness with specific focus on growing my professional development. I am continually improving my time management skills, which has proven beneficial in maintaining the balance of growing these areas while also keeping dedicated time for the other aspects of wellness I enjoy.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)?

1. Medical Doctor from the University of Monterrey in Monterrey, México.
2. Master’s degree in health education and Behavior from the University of Florida.

What is one thing that brings you joy? What bring me joy is spending time with my family (my wife and two kids)

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: One dimension of wellness that I am working on right now is 'social.' I am doing this by trying to put myself in places where I can meet more people and by reaching out to friends in the area to get together more often.

What is your specialty area, program of study, or interest area (for students of life!)? Master of Science, Alumni of the U of U Health Education & Wellness Coaching program

What is a health and wellness fun fact you love sharing with others? Your environment can influence your mood more than you think! I love the idea of 'dopamine dressing' and 'dopamine decor,' where you wear bold colors or decorate with cheerful shades to help you feel more energized and positive.

Select one of the nine dimensions of wellness (occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, emotional, physical, spiritual, environmental, financial) you're working on developing and share a healthy habit that helps you maintain your wellbeing in this area of life: 

I am working on embracing self-care as an act of self-preservation and not self-indulgence, inspired by Audre Lorde's perspective. I find it easier to indulge in lil treats (scrolling on my phone), compared to  the discomfort of acting on habits that will support me in the long run (going to bed early). By practicing goals and boundary setting, I aim to prioritize my emotional wellbeing more intentionally, recognizing that self-care isn't just about comfort but also about long-term self-respect and balance.