Dr. Rodriguez is the discipline chair for epidemiology, preventive medicine, and public health curriculum for OMS I and OMSII at VCOM–Auburn. Her experience involves examining language as a mechanism of health behavior change (i.e., alcohol and substance use) among criminal justice offenders using motivational interviewing, a client-centered behavior change therapy among substance users involved in the criminal justice system. Currently, Dr. Rodriguez is focused in understanding how social determinants contribute to health disparities, specifically, how life stress and discrimination over the life course impact maternal and child health. Her goal is to contribute context of the health inequality and provide efficient and effective solutions to post-partum care and infant cognitive development.
Education
| Year | University | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | University of North Texas Health Science Center | PhD |
| 2009 | University of North Texas Health Science Center | MPH |
| 2005 | University of North Texas Health Science Center | Graduate Clinical Research Training |
| 2001 | University of Texas Brownsville | BS |
Research Interests
My research interests include exploring:
- Biological and social stressors
- Health inequalities
- Social determinants
- Health disparities
- Racism/Discrimination
- Life course perspective.
- Family dynamics
- Health policy
- Vulnerable populations.
Capabilities:
- survey development
- Use of theory to frame research
- Study design
- Qualitative assessment and analysis
- Motivational interviewing
Awards
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, President’s Hero Award, March 2015
- Texas Public Health Association, Outstanding Research Paper Presentation, March 2014
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, Rand Horseman Employee Scholarship, 2013
- University of North Texas Health Science Center,Oral Presentation Award Research Appreciation Day, February 2009
Activities
- Member, Association for Prevention Teaching and Research
- Member, American Psychological Association
- Member, American Public Health Association
- Member, Society for Epidemiology Research
Selected Publications
| Year | Faculty | Citation | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Mayra Rodriguez | Gold M, Johnson M, Mathis A, Mehrara S, Ruiz D, Houston C, Kalenisk J, Rodriguez M. Lingering COVID-19 Symptoms Among Young Adults. The Fast Track, American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians Resident and Student Organization Online Journal (ACOEP-RSO). 2022 Sep 26;Fall. |
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| 2020 | David Stephen, Mayra Rodriguez | Stephen D, Rodriguez M. Chapter 10: Medical Education with Multicultural Perspectives: Cultivating Culturally Competent Physicians. In: Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning in Higher Education; Eds Octavia Tripp and Rhonda M. Collier. IGI Global: 2020:218-238. |
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| 2020 | Mary Taylor, Mayra Rodriguez | Taylor MA, Neal AN., Schellinger J, Ostrowski S, White A, Rodriguez M, Meeham A, Tiller E. Examining Change in Student Anxiety and Depression After the First Year of a Professional Program Secondary to Perceived Stress: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. Journal of Medical Education. 2020 Nov;19(4). doi: 10.5812/jme.103404. |
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| 2019 | Mayra Rodriguez, David Stephen | Stephen DJ, Rodriguez M. Medical Education With Multicultural Perspectives: Cultivating Culturally Competent Future Physicians, Chapter 10. In Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (Eds: Tripp LO, Collier RM). IGI Global. September 2019: pgs 218-238. |
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| 2017 | Mayra Rodriguez | Rodriguez M, Walters ST, Houck J, Ortiz JA, Taxman FS. The language of change among criminal justice clients: Counselor language, client language, and client substance use outcomes. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2017 Sep 22. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22534. PMID: 28940435. |
28940435 |
| 2016 | Mayra Rodriguez | Spohr SA, Taxman FS, Rodriguez M, Walters ST. Motivational interviewing fidelity in a community corrections setting: Treatment initiation and subsequent drug use. Journal of substance abuse treatment. 2016 Jun;65; 20-5. PMID: 26365536. |
26365536 |
| 2015 | Mayra Rodriguez | Hensel KL, Buchanan S, Brown SK, Rodriguez M, Cruiser A. Pregnancy Research on Osteopathic Manipulation Optimizing Treatment Effects: The PROMOTE Study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2015 Jan;212(1):108. PMID: 25068560. |
25068560 |
| 2015 | Mayra Rodriguez | Spohr SA, Taxman FS, Rodriguez M, Walters ST. Motivational interviewing fidelity in a community corrections setting: Treatment initiation and subsequent drug use. Journal Substance Abuse Treatment. 2015 Jul 29. piiS0740-5472(15)00187-7. |
26365536 |
| 2015 | Mayra Rodriguez | Taxman FS, Walters ST, Sloas LB, Lerch J, Rodriguez M. Motivational tools to improve probationer treatment outcomes. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2015 July;43:120-8. 26009023. |
26009023 |
| 2014 | Mayra Rodriguez | Walters ST, Ondersma SJ, Ingersoll K, Rodriguez M, Lerch J, Rossheim ME, Taxman FS. MAPIT: Development of a web-based intervention targeting substance abuse treatment in the criminal justice system. Journal Substance Abuse Treatment. 2014 Jan;46(1):60-5. PMID: 23954392 |
23954392 |
| 2014 | Mayra Rodriguez | Rossheim ME, Wilson F, Suzuki S, Rodriguez M, Walters S, Thombs DL. Associations between drug use and motorcycle helmet use in fatal crashes. Traffic Injury Prevention. 2015;15(7): 678-84. PMID: 24245609. |
24245609 |