Hispanic Serving Institution Program Mentors
![teacher standing behind desk](/-/media/ETS-Images/HSI-Scholars-Program-2021/teachingstandingbehinddesk.jpg?h=546&iar=0&mw=960&w=800&sc_lang=en)
Our dedicated mentors are the backbone of our HSI Scholars Program. Students accepted into the program are awarded opportunities to engage in a virtual leadership and professional development series to enhance critical skills to position them for success beyond graduation. The early exposure to research labs and partnerships with professional mentors will help shape the next generation of Latino biomedical science and health care professionals.
Current Mentors
California
Deborah Feairheller, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology Director, the HEART laboratory | California State University, San Marcos |
Elizabeth Tarling, PhD, FAHA | Associate Professor, Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology | University of California, Los Angeles |
Florida
Dahis Manzanares, PhD | Assistant Professor of Biology School Pathways | Miami Dade College, West Campus |
Kathryn E. Sieving, BSc, PhD | BSc Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation Biology, University of California Davis/PhD Ecology, Ethology, & Evolution, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | University of Florida, Gainesville |
Maria Monzon, PhD | Assistant Professor of Chemistry School Pathways | Miami Dade College, West Campus |
Silvia Torices Del Val, PhD | Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | University of Miami: School of Medicine |
Trinidad Arguelles, PhD | Associate Professor of Psychology and SLS | Miami Dade College, West Campus |
Illinois
Felix L. Nuñez Santana, PhD | Director of Imaging in the Department of Surgery, Thoracic Surgery Division | Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, Yale University | Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine |
New Jersey
Ayana K. April-Sanders, PhD, MPH | Instructor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology | Rutgers School of Public Health |
Carlos Molina, PhD | Professor, Department of Biology | Montclair State University |
Jaclyn Catalano, PhD | Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry | Montclair State University |
James Campanella, PhD | Professor, Department of Biology | Montclair State University |
Luis Torres, DHSc, ATC, NASM-CRT, BCS, CES | Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science and Physical Education | Montclair State University |
Nina Goodey, PhD | Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry | Montclair State University |
Scott L. Kight, PhD | Associate Dean, College of Science and Mathematics | Montclair State University |
Yvonne Gindt, PhD | Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry | Montclair State University |
New York
Chiara Giannarelli, MD, PhD | Associate Professor of Cardiology and Pathology, NYU Cardiovascular Research Center | NYU Lagone Health |
Itsaso Garcia Arcos, PhD | Research Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University |
Johana Contreras, MD, MSc, FACC, FAHA, FASE, FHFSA | Director of Ambulatory Heart Failure Network | Mount Sinai Heart Hospital |
Natalia Eberhardt, PhD | Postdoctoral Fellow | NYU Grossman School of Medicine |
Puerto Rico
Bianca A Torres-Hernandez, PhD, MSc | Assistant Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Department | School of Pharmacy, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus |
Carlos Acevedo, PhD | Associate Professor, Department of Biology | University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez |
Elvin A. Gonzalez Perez, PhD | Associate Professor, Humanities Department | University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla |
Liz M Diaz, PhD | Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry | University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras |
Nancy Cardona, PhD | Assistant Investigator, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences | UPR Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Texas
Kayce D. Solari Williams, PhD, MPH, MS, FASHA | Clinical Associate Professor | University of Houston - College of Education Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences |
Micah Castillo, PhD | Lead Scientist, NSM Sequencing & Gene Editing Core | University of Houston |
Na Li, PhD | Associate Professor | Baylor College of Medicine |
![young researcher working in a lab](/-/media/ETS-Images/HSI-Scholars-Program-2021/Young-researcher-working-in-a-lab.jpg?h=433&iar=0&mw=800&w=800&sc_lang=en)
Current HSI Scholars
The Class of 2024-25 is paving their road to success.
![A group of AHA's Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program 2021 scholars](/-/media/Office-of-Health-Equity/HSI/Scholars-Program/2021/2021-hsi-scholars-event-03.jpg?h=450&iar=0&mw=800&w=675&sc_lang=en)
HSI Scholars Program Alumni
Making a difference and impacting the future of their communities.
![Quest Diagnostics logo Quest Diagnostics logo](/-/media/Annual-Report/2021-Annual-Report-Images/Quest_Diagnostics_Logo.jpg?h=79&w=250&sc_lang=en)
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated through the Quest Diagnostics Foundation provided the American Heart Association with financial and other support for the Hispanic Serving Institutions Scholars Program.