O’Connor Lab Members

I received my B.S. in molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and my M.D. from the University of Wisconsin Medical School. I joined Baylor College of Medicine for the first time as a pediatric intern in 1999 and completed a pediatric residency. After a brief stint as a Texas Children's pediatrician, I returned to Baylor and completed a fellowship in Academic General Pediatrics and obtained a MPH from the UT School of Public Health. I joined the faculty at the USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center in 2007 and am now a professor of pediatrics. I have the privilege of working with a great group of colleagues in the CNRC focusing on obesity prevention and behavioral research, while still spending some of my time in Academic General Pediatrics where I continue to see patients and teach in the Texas Children's Hospital Resident Continuity Clinic. Outside of work, I love cooking, traveling, gardening, hiking, exercising, all while spending time with family. I am passionate about promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors for families and understanding how that can be achieved for all families within a culturally-centered, health equity lens.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Nutrition and Food Science at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. After that, I pursued my Master’s of Science degree at the Gerald J and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy at Tufts University. There, I specialized in food policy and applied nutrition with a focus in nutrition intervention programs and nutrition communication. In 2006, after working in research at the National School of Public Health in Mexico and being head of the Mexican five-day campaign, I joined the Children’s Nutrition Research Center as a research coordinator. Since then, I have coordinated multiple studies focusing on behavioral research for childhood obesity prevention under the guidance of Dr. Tom Baranowski and currently with Dr. Teresia O’Connor. I’m currently a certified Functional Nutrition practitioner from the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy. On my free time I enjoy barre and spin classes and play tennis.

In my first year of college I took an introductory psychology course and became interested in human behaviors and the factors that influence them. I completed my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Houston in 2012. During my time at UH, I became a certified fitness instructor and interested in how to motivate people to exercise and lead a healthier lifestyle. My curiosity in exercise motivation led me to the University of North Texas (UNT) where I obtained my master’s degree in kinesiology, with a concentration in psychosocial aspects of sport and exercise in 2015. In 2019, I returned to UNT to start my collaborative Ph.D. program between the educational psychology and kinesiology departments. The courses I took in these departments and my professors shaped my interest in how the home environment and parents influence children’s physical activity and overall, their development.

For my dissertation, I conducted a mixed-methods study with Head Start families to investigate the roles of home affordances and parental support on children’s physical activity, motor competence, and executive functions. I implemented both quantitative and qualitative research methods to focus on parental involvement and parental physical activity.

My years in North Texas were memorable, as I ran several marathons, worked as a personal trainer and fitness instructor, obtained my graduate degrees, and became a dog mom to 3 beautiful pups. I am thrilled to be back in Houston where I am close to my family, can enjoy great food, and the weather is warmer. I am excited to be a part of the O’Connor lab where we are conducting the Papas Saludables, Niños Saludables clinical trial. During my time as a postdoc, I will conduct quantitative and qualitative studies with a special focus on fathers from the Papas Saludables, Niños Saludables trial. By conducting these studies, my goal is to fulfill a scientific gap within the parenting and child development literature.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, being outdoors with my dogs, going to the gym, and spending time with my family.

I graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Psychology and have worked in the O’Connor lab since October 2020, focusing on the FLASH, TECH, and PSNS studies. My main role at the lab is leading the participant enrollment and data collection for the FLASH studies, as well as the home visits for the TECH Study. Working in human research, given many of our projects involve visiting participant homes, has allowed me to embrace human connection and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the families that participate in our studies. 

I also coordinate the database management and recruitment tracking for the TECH Study. Additionally, part of my role includes conducting fidelity assessments for the PSNS program, which allows me to sneak in some fun exercises with the team! I have a wide net of interests ranging from physiological health to mental/psychological health and am excited to see where that takes me within the lab. I really enjoy being a part of this lab because I get to be surrounded by a hard-working, fun-loving team as well as evolve my own skills and experience. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking/baking, camping, hiking, and spending quality time with my orange cat. 

I’m originally from Kansas and lived in Maryland for a few years before I moved to Texas in 2009. I received my B.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Houston and my M.S. in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan. My research interests are in machine learning and signal processing for biomedical applications. I started working with the O’Connor Research Lab in the CNRC at the beginning of 2023. As a scientific programmer, I’m mainly involved in data processing, programming, software testing, and device management for studies. I’m currently assisting with the Family Level Assessment of Screen use in the Home (FLASH) study and Technology Effects on Children’s Health (TECH) study led by Dr. O’Connor. In my free time, I enjoy practicing piano, rock climbing, and learning languages.

I am a Mexican dietitian specialized in obesity and related diseases. With a bachelor's degree in nutrition and certifications in Clinical Nutrition and Obesity Management, I have established a solid educational foundation over the past decade. My experience includes an internship at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, as well as roles as a dietitian at daycares focusing on children's nutrition and as a clinical dietitian at The American British Cowdray Hospital in Mexico City, specifically in the Obesity and Nutrition Center. Throughout these positions, I have refined my skills and fostered a compassionate environment for my patients.

Recently, I relocated to Houston, where I have embraced a multicultural environment that allows me to gain insights into different cultures. Currently, I serve as a Research Coordinator in Dr. O'Connor's lab at the Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC). I am actively involved in the "Papás Saludables, Niños Saludables" (Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids) program, contributing to data collection and recruitment efforts. This opportunity allows me to deepen my understanding of the importance of healthy habits and their impact on quality of life.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I find great joy in learning to play the piano, doing exercise, and creating beautiful memories with my family.

With a genuine and a strong commitment to the field of nutrition and research, I am dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families.