Gira J. Ravelo
4211 Southwest 36th Street
Hollywood, Florida 33023
/
505-304-3232 (cell)
My doctoral dissertation and experiences with health outcomes among older Latinos, substance use, and HIV/AIDS are in-line with my long-term future research goals of health disparities. My path to research started with elder Latino case management and progressed to genetic research in age related diseases. Now, my commitment lies in health disparities, particularly in the context of minorities, LGBT, older adults, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and chronic illnesses.
EDUCATION:
Present: PhD Scholar Social Welfare, Florida International University, Miami, FL
2012: MSW Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, FL
1997: BA Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
2015-Present Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA)
Florida International University, Miami, FL
Supervisor: Patria Rojas, MSW, MPH, PhD
PhD Research Fellow, NIH, NIMHD
This is a NIH (NIMHD) grant funded fellowship for completion of dissertation completion on Associations of HIV Risk Behaviors among Older Latina Women and their Adult Daughters
· Participation in grant writing with Center staff and faculty
· Data collection of ongoing Center research projects
· Training contractors and/or student in data collection
· Data management and electronic questionnaire development
· Publication and presentation of study results through peer review process for journals and conferences
· Mentor graduate level PhD students in completing training grants
2010-2015 Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse (CRUSADA) | Florida International University, Miami, FL
Supervisor: Patria Rojas, MSW, MPH, PhD
PhD Research Fellow, C-SALUD
· Data collection of ongoing Center research projects
· Data management, cleanup,
· Literature reviews for research study publications and grant submissions
· Presenting finding to University community and national conferences
2008-2009 John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics
University of Miami, Miami, FL
Supervisor: Adriana Martinez
Research Associate
· Perform outreach on ongoing Latino, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease studies
· Data collection from Latino and aging participants for ongoing studies
· Blood collection from aging participants for ongoing studies
· Data management for Latino and aging ongoing studies
NON-RESEARCH EXPERIENCE:
2006-2008 United HomeCare Services, Inc.,
Home Health Care Agency Miami, FL
Supervisor, Angela Cano
Case Manager
· Planning, arranging for, and coordination of appropriate community based services for eligible elderly (mostly Alzheimer’s clients)
· Assist Director of program in development of grant writing and research
· Identifying and referring possible providers for Community Liaisons.
2001-2006 United States Air Force
Headquarters Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center
Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM
Supervisor: William Mitzel, Col.(Ret)
· Civil and Military Service
· Development of training materials based on departmental needs
· Training materials distribution to nation-wide AF personnel via web
· Manage training budget ($2 million), disbursement among departments and track expenses
JOURNAL REVIEWER:
2013 - Present: Perspectives on Social Work
PUBLICATION(S):
Rojas, P, Dillon, F. R., Cyrus, E., Ravelo, G. J., Malow, R. M., & De La Rosa, M. (2013). Alcohol use as
a determinant of HIV risk behaviors among recent Latino immigrants in South Florida. Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. 25(2), 135-144. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2013.02.003
Rojas, P., Dillon, F. R., Ravelo, G. J., Malow, R., Duan, R., & De La Rosa, M. (2013). Non-medical
prescription sedative use among adult Latina mothers and daughters. Journal of Psychoactive
Drugs, 45(4), 329-339. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2013.825513
De La Rosa, M., Huang, H., Rojas, P., Dillon, F. R., Lopez-Quintero, C., Li, T., & Ravelo, G. J. (2015).
Influence of mother–daughter attachment on substance use: A longitudinal study of a Latina
community-based sample. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 76(2), 307-316. doi:10.15288/jsad.2015.76.307
Sanchez, M., Rojas, P., Li, T., Ravelo, G.J., Cyrus, E., Wang, W., Kanamori, M., Peragallo, N.P., & De
La Rosa, M. (2016). Evaluating a culturally tailored HIV risk reduction intervention among
Latina immigrant farmworkers. World Medical & Health Policy.8(3), 245-262.
doi: 10.1002/wmh3.193
Rojas, P., Li, T., Ravelo, G. J., Sanchez, M., Dawson, C., Sneij, A., Wang, W., Cyrus, E., Kanamori, M.,
& De La Rosa, M. (In press). Correlates of cervical cancer screening among a non-clinical
community based sample of adult Latino women: A five year follow up. World Medical & Health
Policy.
Rojas, P., Huang, H., Li, T., Ravelo, G. J., Sanchez, M., Dawson, C., Brook, J., Kanamori, M., De La
Rosa, M. (In Press). Socio-Cultural Determinants of Risky Sexual Behaviors among Adult
Latinas: A Longitudinal Study of a Community-Based Sample. International Journal of
Environmental Research and Public Health.
PRESENTATION(S):
2013 Ravelo, G. J., Rojas, P., Li, T., Sanchez, M., Dillon, F. R., De La Rosa, M. (2013, March). Provider Interaction and HIV Screening among Middle Age & Older Latinas. Poster presented at the New England Science Symposium, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
2014 Rojas, P., Weize, W., Ravelo, G. J., & Li, T. (2014 April). Correlates of health behaviors among adult Latina mothers and daughters. Poster presented at the Latina Researchers Conference 2014, New York, NY.
2014 Ravelo, G. J., Kanamori, M., Rojas, P., De La Rosa, M. (2014, December). Associations between Living Arrangements and Health Behaviors among Older Latina Women. Poster presented at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Grantees’ Conference, formerly known as International Symposium on Minority Health and Health Disparities (ISMHHD), National Harbor, MD.
2014 Kanamori, M., Rojas, P, Ravelo, G. J., Jaramillo, M., De La Rosa, M. (2014, December). Latino dyadic mother/daughter attachment: Emotional abuse and drug use. Poster presented at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities Grantees’ Conference, formerly known as International Symposium on Minority Health and Health Disparities (ISMHHD), National Harbor, MD.
2015 Ravelo, G. J., Kanamori, M., Rojas, G. J., De La Rosa, M. (2015, June). Longitudinal analysis of changes in living arrangements and health related behaviors among older Latina women. Poster presented at the 2015 National Hispanic Science Network Conference, San Antonio, TX.
2015 De La Rosa, M., Huang, H., Rojas, P., Dillon, F. R., Lopez-Quintero, C., Li, T., & Ravelo, G. J (2015, October). Influence of Mother–Daughter Attachment on Substance Use: A Longitudinal Study of a Latina Community-Based Sample. Panel presentation at George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health. Regional Latino Health Disparities Conference:Breaking Down Structural Barriers to Latino Health Equity, Washington DC.
2016 Rojas, P., Li, T., Wang, W., Ravelo, G. J., Sanchez, M., De La Rosa, M. (2016, March). Correlates of Cervical Cancer Screening among Adult Latina Mothers and Daughters. Oral presentation at George Mason University, Center for Global Studies. Women’s Health in Global Perspectives, Washington DC.
2016 Ravelo, G. J., Sanchez, M., Rojas, P., Cyrus, E., De La Rosa, M. (2016, July). Gender Norms and HIV Protective Factors among Latinas in the Farmworker Community: Examining Mediating Effects of HIV Self Efficacy. Poster presentation at 2016 Latina Researchers Network & Conference, San Antonio, TX.
FUNDED GRANT(S):
07/2015 – 01/2017
Principal Investigator [1F31MD009553-01: NIMHD] Influence of Adult Latina Daughters on Older
Latina Mothers HIV Risk and Protective Behaviors. (F31) Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service
Awards (NRS) Pre-doctoral Fellowship for Minority.
WORKSHOP CONDUCTED:
2010: Interview and data collection training for research contractors
2013: Abstract & poster presentation training for university doctoral students
2015: Interview and data collection training for research contractors
2015: Research methods with secondary data analysis for doctoral students
2015: Training fellow grant writing presentation to University incoming doctoral students
2016: Interview and data collection training to CBPR interviewers.
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
2011-2015 Aqua Foundation for Women, Miami, FL - Grant Committee Member
2007-2009 AIDS Walk, Ft Lauderdale, FL - Volunteer
2003-2005 AIDS Walk, Albuquerque, NM - Volunteer
2004-2005 Basic Rights New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM - Volunteer
2004-2015 Millions for Marriage/HRC, Albuquerque, NM – Volunteer
MEMBERSHIPS:
2012-Present National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Florida Chapter
2014-Present National Hispanic Science Network
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