Dr. Francisco Brenes
Dr. Francisco Brenes’ research program focuses on psychiatric and behavioral health disparities, suicide, and the role of spirituality and herbal medicines in diverse and vulnerable communities, especially among undocumented immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced individuals. Dr. Brenes’s research promotes an understanding of the psychosocial and behavioral health challenges encountered among underserved populations. Effective strategies can be developed to support mental health care in vulnerable communities by examining the psychosocial stressors these groups encounter. His research benefits diverse ethnic groups, vulnerable children and families, as well as underserved populations.
Dr. Mariateresa H. Muñoz
Dr. Mariateresa H. Muñoz is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She has 29 years of experience combined as a speech-language pathologist and special education instructor.
She has specialized in the areas of early childhood development and intervention, early language development and disorders, Neuromotor Speech Disorders (apraxia and dysarthria), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and Avoidant Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorders.
As a nurse researcher, Dr. Munoz has worked on numerous funded grants including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funded project titled: Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students.
Dr. Muñoz is the president and founding board member of St. Thérèse's Roses of Hope, Pediatric Center, Inc., a nonprofit communication sciences and disorders clinic. Dr. Muñoz has an Associate’s Degree in Speech Communication from Miami-Dade College; Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from FIU; and a Master’s and Doctoral Degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University.