Center Director
Associate Professor
Fellow, Chiles Center for Women, Children and Families

Research Areas: MCH Oral Health, Family Planning, Health Literacy, Implementation Science

Center Associate Director
Research Assistant Professor
Director, Harrell Center for The Study of Family Violence
Fellow, Chiles Center for Women, Children and Families

Research Areas: Family Violence, Mixed Methods Research Designs, Structural Equation Modeling

Rashida Jones is a doctoral candidate in the epidemiology concentration in the College of Public Health, at the University of South Florida. Prior to pursuing her doctoral studies, she obtained a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Temple University School of Pharmacy. Following her graduation, she practiced community pharmacy, where she developed a profound interest in addressing health disparities. Her broad academic interests include advanced research methodologies, such as structural equation modeling (SEM) and epidemiological research methods. More specifically, her research focuses on Maternal and Child Health (MCH) epidemiology, with a particular emphasis on the health disparities encountered by Black women and their infants. Her dissertation investigates the barriers and facilitators influencing maternal influenza vaccination and examines the disparities in vaccine uptake. In addition to her research, Rashida has served as an instructor, teaching undergraduate courses in the College of Public Health and doctoral level public health courses within the Taneja College of Pharmacy.

MPH Student, Maternal and Child Health

Sendy Neïka Sejourne is a second-year Master of Public Health (MPH) student with a concentration in Maternal & Child Health, demonstrating a profound commitment to the field. Her professional background includes valuable experience in the Health Promotions Department at Rollins College Wellness Center, medical research at the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine, and epidemiological work at the Florida Department of Health Hillsborough County. Her research interests are concentrated on critical areas such as global Black maternal health disparities, medical anthropology, and the influence of environmental racism on minority populations within the United States. She is dedicated to addressing these significant issues and enhancing health outcomes for marginalized communities. Upon completion of her MPH, she intends to pursue a PhD in Medical Anthropology, focusing on the sociomedical factors that affect birthing experiences for Black women across the diaspora. Her dedication to advancing knowledge and promoting equitable healthcare underscores her commitment to the field.

MPH Student, Maternal and Child Health

Itze Cabral is a certified birth doula and childbirth educator. She has experience in non-profit work, specifically in direct services as a home visitor for expecting mothers and their children. She is in her second year of the MPH program with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health (MCH). In addition, she is working towards a graduate certificate in Epidemiology. Her research experience includes working as a graduate research assistant on program planning, evaluation, and qualitative data analysis for community-based programs, particularly those serving children with special healthcare needs. Additionally, she has contributed to projects from Sunshine Education and Research Center, focused on occupational health and safety. Her MCH interests include addressing health disparities affecting Black and Hispanic women during the prenatal period, breastfeeding, postpartum depression, and occupational safety for migrant women working in the US. For her career goals, she would like to work for organizations aimed at improving the health and well-being of mothers and children; organizations of interest include the Health Department, CDC, WHO, and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). After completing her degree, she wants to spend 1-2 years working abroad in the public health sector through the Peace Corps or any other international organization.

MPH Student, Maternal and Child Health

Emily Walsh is a recent graduate from the USF College of Public Health with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH), and a double minor in Women & Gender Studies and Global Studies in Diversity & Education. Ultimately, she chose to continue her education and pursue a graduate degree focused in Maternal and Child Health because she believes that serving this population directly is the most effective way to combat negative health outcomes in our society. Her deepest passions are within the realm of sexual and reproductive health equity. Throughout her time as an undergraduate student, she was involved in numerous endeavors to connect herself with opportunities to make an impact in these areas, from becoming a certified peer sexual health educator to volunteering with Metro Inclusive Health to connect the community to their sexual health services. It is her goal to continue growing these connections and learn how to apply her experiences in the field to her research in academia throughout her time as an MCH Scholar.

MPH Student, Maternal and Child Health

Mahima is a second-year MPH student with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. Shadowing physicians in her hometown health department exposed her to challenges faced by medically underserved young women, such as inaccessibility to reproductive care resources and education. This instilled in her a commitment to promote health equity for underserved women by bridging the gap between healthcare and public health. At USF, she serves as president of the Maternal and Child Health Student Organization and as a Relate-A-Bull graduate peer mentor. Her research interests include adolescent and young adult sexual health, reproductive care access, and rural healthcare needs. Her future goal is to become an OB-GYN and use her public health background to be an advocate for MCH populations. She plans to deliver clinical care while also ensuring that current public health policy reflects patient needs. She envisions herself as a future leader who engages in interprofessional teamwork to help advocate for MCH populations in a holistic manner.

MSW/MPH Student, Behavioral Health

Jacqueline Houston is a second-year MSW/MPH (Behavioral Health) concurrent degree student and a recent USF Institute for Translational Research Education in Adolescent Behavioral Health graduate, where she contributed to the implementation of a youth violence prevention program in rural Florida. She also serves as Legislative Head of USF Social Work Society and is a 2024 Vot-ER Civic Health Fellow. Her professional experience focuses on addressing systemic causes and the psychosocial impact of coercive control. This interest has led Jacqueline to pursue policy advocacy as it relates to child and adult survivors of domestic violence in Florida's child welfare system and maternal and child mental health broadly. Following her advocacy training at UN Headquarters in Geneva, she is completing her clinical practicum at Tampa's domestic violence center. She looks forward to continuing her work in The Center’s MCH Policy Scholars program to propel change in the hidden foster care system. Upon graduation, Jacqueline will work as a clinician providing infant mental health and perinatal mental health therapy in pursuit of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

MPH Student, Maternal and Child Health

Gabriella Hinks is a second year MPH student concentrating in Maternal and Child Health and completing a Graduate Certificate in Child Advocacy Studies. Her MCH interests are broad including food insecurity, pediatric injury prevention, vaccine access, and advocacy for policies and programs for children and youth with special healthcare needs. In the past, she has held multiple positions in MCH organizations including serving in leadership for Dance Marathon at FSU and Tallahassee non-profit The Hang Tough Foundation, as well as working as a counselor and program staff for Camp Boggy Creek, a residential camp for children and youth with special healthcare needs. Currently she serves as the Treasurer of the Maternal and Child Health Student Organization helping educate the USF community on MCH topics and sits on the COPH Activist Lab Student Advisory Board participating in education, research, and advocacy work on various public health topics. After completing her degree program, her hope is to attend medical school and become a pediatric physician. She intends to use this position to advocate for comprehensive health education programs for youth in her community, assist in integrating public health education into medical school curriculums, and to create more equitable access to healthcare and other social services for children and youth.