Research at Texas Tech Health El Paso
Research Opportunities at Texas Tech Health El Paso
At Texas Tech Health El Paso, we are dedicated to fostering the next generation of physician-researchers. Our program provides residents with hands-on opportunities to develop essential skills in planning, implementing, and critically evaluating research.
You will have access to a supportive environment for pursuing diverse research and scholarly activities, including:
- Prospective and retrospective clinical studies
- Clinical trials
- Educational and simulation-based research
- Case studies
- Innovative medical techniques and practices
Throughout your three years of training, our experienced faculty will mentor and guide you in shaping your research initiatives, empowering you to make meaningful contributions to the medical field.
Here is an example of a research project completed during the 2019-2020 academic year.
Research Faculty:

Associate Professor
Director of Research
Department of Emergency Medicine
Hometown/Birthplace: Born Ft Worth TX; grew up in El Paso
Undergrad: UTEP (Biological Sciences)
Grad school: Master’s degree-UTEP (Biological Sciences); PhD Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Ecology and Evolution)
Favorite thing about El Paso: The weather and the people. After living on the East Coast, West Coast, Midwest, and Northwest US, it is wonderful to be in a city where the people are friendly, and the winters are mild and short!
Favorite thing about your job: The variety. Emergency medicine involves many aspects of medicine and so does research in EM. I get to do some teaching as well!
Hobbies/Interests: walking, biking, cooking and baking, reading, hanging out with friends, travel
Academic/educational/research interests: My personal research projects have been analyses of NHAMCS-ED data sets and collaborations with colleagues in SAEM’s Academy for Women in EM. I have also published papers with my TT colleagues on projects involving loperamide misuse, energy drink adverse events, community acquired pneumonia, the NEAR database, and case reports.
Something unique or interesting about yourself: I didn’t start my PhD until I was 40 (but I finished before I was 45!). I was a medical technologist for 13-14 years before grad school and I was part-time faculty at UTEP before coming to TTUHSC.

Associate Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
Core Consultant, Public Health Specialist
Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health
Hometown/Birthplace: El Paso, Texas
Undergrad: University of Texas at El Paso – BS
Grad: New Mexico State University - MPH; University of Texas at El Paso - PhD
Favorite thing about El Paso: The star on the Franklin mountain
Favorite thing about your job: Working with awesome people
Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with family; church activities; attending concerts and the theater; reading; volunteering with non-profit organizations
Academic/educational/research interests: Healthcare Simulation, Emergency Medicine, Medical Toxicology, Pediatric Environmental Health, Physician Wellness, Medical Ethics, Addiction, Alcohol & Substance Use and Abuse, Behavioral Health Interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Self-efficacy, Sexual Victimization, Coping, Stress, Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health
Something unique or interesting about yourself: My husband and I have nine amazing children and three beautiful granddaughters.