Academic Appointments

California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, California, USA 2018-present

College of Health and Human Services

Professor and Archstone Foundation Endowed Chair, Gerontology

Established community-engaged research center with the aim of connecting the resources of the university on evidence-based practice, education, and program evaluation.
Created internship program providing experiences to over 38 students across the health sciences in research and hands-on experience working with older adults.
Mentored students from diverse fields such as Public Health, Gerontology, Kinesiology, and Psychology.
Integrating gerontological and geriatric competencies in the CSULB College of Health and Human Services.
Teach courses on global aging, human aging, leadership and administration to health science students.
Provide technical support to local service organizations, including NGOs and public health departments.
Manage budgets and supervise program staff on multiple grants and contracts.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Miami, Florida, USA 2007 - 2018

Associate Professor of Medicine

Associate Director of Population Health & Aging, Benjamin Leon Center for Geriatric Research and Education (2014-2018)

Chief, Division of Medicine and Society Department of Humanities, Health & Society (2009-2014)

Conduct research focusing on social and cultural factors influencing health through life with an emphasis on aging, immigration and the Latin American populations.

Received state funds for conducting a health assessment of Hispanic older adults in Miami-Dade.
Hired to develop curriculum on social determinants of health, ethics, community engagement, and teamwork for new medical school. Lead interprofessional workshop for 3,000 students across 8 disciplines annually.
Served as Admissions Committee Chair for the College of Medicine

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 2003 - 2007

Department of Geriatric Medicine & Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Assistant Professor of Medicine/Faculty Administrator, Certificate in Gerontology

Core faculty in the Center on Aging and Health; adjunct faculty for the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and the School of Public Health’s Population Center.
Co-Director of Evaluations for the Experience Corps Trial. Oversaw data collection and management in an NIH-funded multi-million dollar community based clinical trial.
Project Director for the Women’s Health and Aging Study II. Supervised staff, maintained protocols and sought approvals from the human research board.
Received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health, The Kellogg Foundation, Macarthur Foundation and the American Association of Retired Persons for research on social engagement and health among minorities in the aging populations.

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