Outreach & Education Events

Involving the communities in our catchment areas (Los Angeles, Riverside, & San Bernardino counties) is an integral aspect of the U54 CARE Partnership. Our Community Outreach Core is responsible for creating and organizing events that engage our communities and allow us to incorporate their voices into health disparities research. In addition, our partnership has recruited amazing community champions who offer valuable insight into how we can best grow in the interest of our communities. Feel free to learn more about our Community Advisory Board (CAB) members below.

Events

August 1, 2024: Family Health & Fun Fair

Our U54 program managers attended this event and connected with community members from San Bernardino. At this event, they provided information about U54 resources available to UCR students and more information about the CARE partnership.

October 5, 2024: Fall Science Festival at City of Hope

Our U54 program managers presented information about our partnership to community members in the Los Angeles area. U54 researchers and collaborators also presented their work and the significance of community involvement in research. Additionally, the program managers connected with community members about educational opportunities through the U54 CARE Partnership & our collaborators.

October 7, 2024: Hispanic Heritage Month at University of California, Office of the President

Dr. Ernest Martinez presented on our U54 CARE Partnership, his research, and cancer health disparities.

Community Advisory Board Members

Research Advisory Board Members

Allison Rosenzweig, Ph.D.

Dr. Rosenzweig is involved in the following project:

Project #2: Drug Development -- Development of Inhibitors of the PIN1 Oncoprotein in Pancreatic Cancer

Read Dr. Rosenzweig's Bio

Alejandro Fernandez

Alejandro Fernandez is involved in the following projects:

Pilot #1: Capacity Building Clinical Trial of Metformin Against Inflammation in Insulin-Resistant Breast Cancer Survivors of Hispanic and/or African Ancestry

Ashley Nelson

Ashley Nelson is involved in the following project:

Pilot #3 - Utilizing RELM-alpha-/-(M2 Macrophage-Polarized) Mice to Develop Novel Desmoplastic Models and Targeted Therapies for Pancreatic Cancer

Rene Longoria

Rene is involved in the following project:

Pilot #2: Control of Protein Synthesis by elF4A1 and mRNA m6A Modification in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Anne Levy

Anne is involved in the following project:

Pilot #2: Control of Protein Synthesis by elF4A1 and mRNA m6A Modification in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

General Advisory Board Members

Mayra Serrano, D.P.H.

Dr. Serrano is serving on our General Community Advisory Board. She is a community champion and currently serves as the Director of Health Equity for Anthem Blue Cross California Medicaid.

Michael Nduati, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Nduati is serving on our General Community Advisory Board and is currently the Chief Academic Officer & Designated Institutional Officer for Southwest Healthcare.

Kevin Morris

Kevin Morris is serving on our General Community Advisory Board and he is the current principal of Mt. Olive High School in Duarte, CA.

Enrique Velazquez, M.D., Ph.D.

Dr. Velazquez is serving on our General Community Advisory Board. He is currently an assistant professor in City of Hope’s Department of Integrative Translational Sciences and has more than 14 years of experience in translational multi-omics research. Additionally, he aims to address and rectify colorectal cancer health disparities in Hispanic/Latino communities.

Aileen Dinkjian, Ph.D., MPH

Dr. Dinkjian is serving on our General Community Advisory Board and is currently a co-lead of the San Antonio Regional Hospital Healthy Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion Council.

UCR/COH Cancer Research & Education (CARE) Partnership