
Director Heading link
David X. Marquez
marquezd@uic.edu
David Marquez received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, and his PhD in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently a Professor in Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Visiting Associate Professor with the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Dr. Marquez’ area of specialization is in Exercise Psychology/Behavioral Medicine. His research agenda focuses on disparities in physical activity and disease/disability among older Latinos. His research also includes examining the factors that influence the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease among older Latinos.

Graduate research assistant Heading link
Michelle Annette Jaldin
Michelle Jaldin is a PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Trinity Washington University and her Masters’ in Public Health from Liberty University. Her research interests include physical activity and its effect on brain health and integrity among older adults. Michelle aims to work and engage with the community through health promotion and interventions. Her ultimate goal is to reduce disparities in affected underserved areas and minority populations.

Graduate research assistant Heading link
Miguel Negrete
Miguel Negrete is a PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Furman University. He aims to effectively utilize physical activity and nutrition-based interventions to prevent compounding health issues and understand social, cultural, and environmental determinants of diet-related morbidities and mental health in low-income communities. Miguel’s passion for prevention science stems from his upbringings as a resident from Little Village, an underserved community with various health disparities.

Undergraduate research assistant Heading link
Juan Pinto
Juan is a second year Biology student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the event coordinator for the Latino Pre-Medical Association, a member of the UIC Honors College, a UIC club soccer team player, and a phlebotomist working at a family medicine clinic. In his free time, he enjoys working out in the gym and listening to oldies music. Juan’s goal is to become a Family Medicine physician to create and foster meaningful relationships with the Latino community to help reduce health conditions more prone to Latinos by promoting healthy behaviors, such as exercise and nutrition. He joined the team at the end of 2020 with the help and guidance from professors apart of the L@S GANAS Research Fellowship.
Ph.D. alumni Heading link
- Susan Aguiñaga – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Guilherme Moraes Balbim – University of British Colombia
- Eduardo E. Bustamante – University of Illinois at Chicago
- Isabela G. Marques – University of São Paulo
- Priscilla Guevara Vasquez – Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
Masters alumni Heading link
- Ibraheem Oguntade
- Jaqueline Guzman
- Melissa Magallanes
Undergraduate alumni Heading link
Susan Aguinaga
Jeanette Agustin
Ashley Alvarado
Michael Amashta
Damian Andrade
Mauricio Andrade
Abigail Arroyo
Armando Baez
Berenitze Balladares
Denise Borrero-Figueroa
Kaylen Bye
Jessica Cabrera
Jeanine Campa
Pamela Campos
Jackelyn Cantoral
Salvador Cardenas
Karen Ciruelas
Stephanie Colin
Karen Davila
Christopher Diaz
Sonia Esparza
Valeria Esparza
Karen Fernandez
Lauren Finkelstein
Rima Gala
Susana Galarza
Jennifer Galvan
Daniel Garcia
Marcela Garcia
Martha Garcia
Mauricio Garcia
Ayerin Gomez
Jacqueline Gomez
Stephanie Gomez
Daniela Gonzalez
Vanessa Gonzalez
Susy Gutierrez
Gabriela Hernandez
Suzanne Jaji
Stephanie Jara
Cindy Jimenez
Karen Joseph
Christopher Juarez
Alejandra Lopez
Maribel Lopez
Omar Lopez
Raquel Lopez
Melissa Magallanes
Mabel Marban
Maricela Martinez
Jasmine Mejia
Ivette Mendez
Jason Mikulich
Orestes Motino
Brenda Munguia
Maria Nakhasi
Priscilla Nunez
Nicole Orseno
Janet Page
Connor Perez
Karen Perez
Janine Peterson
Jennifer Quijada
Mariel Rancel
Janelle Redfield
Eileen Richards
Stephanie Sandoval
Nicole Schaffer
Jon Silva
Jason Sikorski
Yuliana Soto
Keith Taylor
Angelica Uribe
Beatriz Vega
Crystal Vega
Octavio Vega
Irving Alex Yepes
Monica Yuquilima
Melissa Zavala