Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Lizbeth Del Toro
Puerto Rico Puerto Rican native Lizbeth Del Toro was always encouraged by her sharp-as-a-tack grandmother, who advised her to hang with the right crowd, do her chores, and stay focused on her grades and her studies. Her grandmother passed away shortly after being diagnosed with cancer in 2010. But Del Toro took her advice to heart as she obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology/biomedical sciences from the University of Puerto Rico, works as a graduate research assistant and earned her master’s degree from the university in 2012. “Last week I ended my master’s degree program, I just ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Elie Benavidez
San Antonio, Texas A few years ago, Elie Benavidez was in the middle of her studies in San Antonio when she got a heartbreaking phone call: “Your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.” Benavidez, with her mother’s encouragement, maintained her studies. Five years later, her mother—and other family members—are survivors, giving Benavidez all the motivation and support she needs to positively impacting the lives of students as a teacher and the community as an aspiring public health worker. “They taught me that, even though something bad has happened, they can still persevere,” ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Alyssa De Santiago
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. As a first-generation college student, Alyssa De Santiago experienced many challenges because she had little help navigating her way through her undergraduate education. But with a father who said she could do anything and a grandmother who would help her talk through any problems as she rolled and made tortillas, she capitalized on a strong support system to become her family’s first college graduate when she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Whittier College in California. With experience as a pharmacy tech, children’s tutor, and public health intern, ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Roger Figueroa
San Antonio, Texas Puerto Rico native Roger Figueroa could be called a modern-day pioneer. With limited resources and limited knowledge of English, he ventured to the U.S. seeking better career opportunities and a better life. He’s already having great success, completing his master’s degree in health and kinesiology at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and he working as a research assistant on several studies, including one testing faith-based methods of preventing obesity and another to reduce barriers to physical activity among Latino children. Through his career networks he ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Steven Lopez
San Mateo, Calif. Steven Lopez’s migrant parents beamed with pride as they dropped him off for his first year at Stanford University—in the same region of California which they had picked fruit from years before to make a living. Appreciating the sacrifices and hard work of his parents to give him a better life and opportunities, Lopez dedicated himself to his studies and earned a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Stanford University. In addition, Lopez obtained a master’s degree in public health and public policy from the University of California, Berkeley. With this level of ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Rossy Belle Perales
Houston, Texas Rossy Belle Perales pursues opportunities with great confidence and inspiration from the quote, “Shoot for the moon. Even If you miss you will land among the stars.” Identifying herself with the people of Puerto Rico, her native land, and with the Hispanic community of Houston, Ms. Perales has embraced the culture and traditions of both ethnic groups, which have made her the person she is today. Perales earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health (epidemiology and biostatistics) from the University of South Florida, and she spent time coordinating research ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Delana Gonzales
San Antonio, Texas Delana Gonzales, born and raised in New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment, did not leave her education to chance. Through the guidance of her mentor and strong Latino family support, she applied herself diligently and advanced as a scholar in the field of psychology at the University of New Mexico (UNM). During her time at UNM, Gonzales assisted on various research projects examining breast and cervical cancer screening behaviors among Latinas on campus. She also investigated breast and cervical cancer screening practices among Latino women along the U.S./Mexico border. Wanting ...
Find the latest advances in Latino health—such as a new strategy for helping Latinas after an abnormal breast mammogram—in the IHPR Noticias E-newsletter from Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez’ Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. IHPR Noticias has these stories and more: Story and Audio: For Latinas, Patient Navigation Can Speed Breast Cancer Diagnosis (Pg 1)
Profile: Guadalupe Campos is Teaching Latinos about Cancer Prevention (Pg 2)
Study: Successfully Preventing Obesity in Latino Pre-Schoolers in San Antonio (Pg 3)
Videos: 5-Part Video Series on Cultural Aspects of Latino Cancer (Pg 4)
Story: Local Program Mentors Disadvantaged Nursing Students (Pg 6)
Story: Latinos, a Colonoscopy Can Save Your ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, 2013, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Aditi Wahi
Artesia, Calif. Aditi Wahi practices “empathy”—that is, she tries to put herself into other people’s shoes, whether it’s helping her younger sister cope with a rare disease or recruiting pediatric patients and their parents pre-surgery and observing the children after. Being in tune with and passionate for the people you are trying to help is a hallmark of being a strong cancer health disparities researcher, in addition to having strong methodological and other research skills. Wahi has both. She earned a bachelor’s of psychology and social behavior degree from the University of ...
