PHLS NEWS & FEATURES

• More stories
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  Top Graduates Ready to Transform Education

  Thirteen top graduates share their goals and advice on how to earn 4.0 GPAs. “Do not be afraid to ask questions, seek help when needed, stay focused, be positive and believe in yourself,” said Larry Chan, who is graduating with a B.S. in teaching and learning.

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  School Psychology Student Leads with Empathy

  An immigrant from Costa Rica, Ph.D. student Elías Loría once struggled to assimilate to a new culture. He’s now using his voice to advocate for social justice as president of UH’s Graduate and Professional Student Association.

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  Study: Latino Students in Rural Communities Left Behind Amid COVID-19

  Professor Jorge Gonzalez found that one third of the Latino families surveyed in south central Texas did not have access to the internet and over half lacked digital devices. “Our findings are really important because it exposes a digital divide,” he said.

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  Researchers Study Vaccine Hesitancy Amid COVID Rise

  Associate Dean for Research Ezemenari Obasi, who leads the UH HEALTH Research Institute, is working to mitigate COVID risk and illness with culturally responsive strategies. “What we want to do is empower people with strategies that make sense from their cultural standpoint,” Obasi said.

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  Professors’ Program Trains Diverse Nutrition Educators

  Norma Olvera and collaborators received a $500,000 grant to create a paid internship program to increase the number of Hispanic and Black nutrition educators and address health disparities among children of color. “It’s an excellent opportunity,” Olvera said.

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  Study: Anti-Gay Slurs Not Targeted Just at Gay Men

  Associate Professor Nathan Grant Smith explored whether heterosexual men who had their status threatened were more likely to use anti-gay slurs against other heterosexual men. “It is our hope that our research can help men to develop healthy masculinities that lift up all men, gay and straight alike,” Smith said.

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  Professor Finds STEM Stereotypes Begin Young

  Assistant Professor Allison Master’s study found that children develop beliefs as young as six that boys are more interested than girls in STEM fields. “By the time they reach high school, many girls have made their decision not to pursue degrees in computer science and engineering because they feel they don’t belong,” Master said.

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  Professors’ STEM Research Earns $500,000 Grant

  Allison Master and Weihua Fan have developed a series of studies to boost girls’ interest and participation in computer science by counteracting stereotypes. “We are interested in gender disparities in STEM because these have such important implications for our society,” Master said.

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  COVID-19 Stress Hinders Parents’ Ability to Feed Children

  Associate Professor Leslie Frankel’s research found that psychological distress and anxiety induced by the pandemic has made it difficult for parents to gauge when their child is hungry or full, which can harm them in the long run.

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  Counseling Psychology Alum Earns Noteworthy Board Certification

  Alum Laura Priorello earned board certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology in clinical health psychology. “This is a huge accomplishment that took approximately three years to complete,” she said.

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  Award-Winning Staffer Supports Health Equity Research

  Research associate Isabel Martinez Leal won a 2020-21 Staff Excellence Award from the College for her efficiency, strong collaborative skills and commitment to health equity. “The most rewarding aspect of this work is to contribute to people improving their health,” she said.

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  Professor Works to Eradicate Smoking

  Lorraine Reitzel, director of Taking Texas Tobacco Free, received a $1.9 million grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas to expand the program to reach people struggling with addictions in rural communities.

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  Research Looks to Improve Work for Marginalized Groups

  Associate Professor Blake A. Allan’s recent article discusses the causes and psychological effects of precarious work to advance research on the issue and help develop safety nets for people with risky jobs.

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  Despite Challenges 2021 Grads Made their Mark

  Read about four undergraduate students who maintained 4.0 GPAs while showing strength and flexibility during the global pandemic. “The time at UH prepared me with significant experience for the job market,” said health major Dalia Hatem De Khattar.