Closeup of Marisa Torres

Marisa Torres, MPH

Pronouns: she, her, ella

Doctoral Student
2019-Present

SDSU-UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health
Health Behavior Track

San Diego

Location
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Mail Code
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Fax
[619-594-####]
Accounts

Areas of Research

Physical and Mental Health Outcomes, Parent-Child Bidirectional Outcomes, Women’s Health, Health Disparities, Sleep

Bio

Marisa is a doctoral candidate in the Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health at the San Diego State University and the University of California, San Diego.

She has received degrees in Biological Sciences from Bakersfield College, Chicana/o Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Public Health from George Washington University. Her current research examines the intersection of physical and mental health outcomes among Latina mother-child dyads.

Mentors

Elva Arredondo, Ph.D.
Guadalupe X. Ayala, Ph.D.
Becky Marquez, Ph.D.
Scott Roesch, Ph.D.
Kathryn Derose, Ph.D.
Gretchen Bandoli, Ph.D.

Projects

Faith in Action
Conmigo

Details

Education
  1. MPH, Health Policy
    George Washington University (2014)
  2. BA, Chicana/o Studies
    UC Santa Barbara (2011)
  3. Biological Sciences
    Bakersfield College (2009)
Publications
  1. Telles, V. M., Rodriguez, S., Torres, M., Schneider, J., Haughton, J., Maldonado, M., & Arredondo, E. (2024). Barriers and facilitators to implementing a multilevel, multicomponent intervention promoting colorectal cancer screening in health centers: a qualitative study of key informant perspectives. BMC health services research, 24(1), 404. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10749-y
  2. Torres, M., Telles, V., & Arredondo, E. (2024). Border walls and barriers to care: Latina mothers and access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic. In C. Bejarano & M. C. Morales (Eds.), Frontera madre(hood): Brown mothers challenging oppression and transborder violence at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Feminist Wire Books.
  3. Soto, S., Chavez, A., Haughton, J., Torres, M., & Arredondo, E. (2024). Development of culturally appropriate strategies for promoting physical activity. In M. Bopp (Ed.), Physical activity in diverse populations (2nd ed.). Taylor and Francis.
  4. Arredondo, E. M., Schneider, J., Torres, M., Telles, V., Thralls Butte, K., West, M., . . . Baranowski, T. (2023). Rationale and design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preadolescent Latina girls and their mothers. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 33, 101137. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2023.101137
  5. Torres, M., Soto S, Lopez NV, et al. A Strength-Based Approach to Cancer Prevention in Latinxs. 2022 Nov 15. In: Ramirez AG, Trapido EJ, editors. Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: Building Collaboration for Action [Internet]. Cham (CH): Springer; 2023. Chapter 15. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK595794/ doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-14436-3_15
  6. Torres, M., Robinson-Ector K, Attinson D, Trotter J, Anise A, Clauser S. A Portfolio Analysis of Culturally Tailored Trials to Address Health and Healthcare Disparities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15(9):1859.
Presentations
  1. Father Support and Daughter Physical Activity: Insights from a Study of Latina Pre-Teens. Abstract accepted for Poster presentation at the 45th Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, March 2024, Philadelphia, PA.
  2. Social Vulnerability Index and recognition status with the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP). Poster presentation at the 83rd American Diabetes Association (ADA) scientific session. June 2023, San Diego, CA.
  3. Experiences of community and healthcare organizations delivering the National DPP Lifestyle Change Program. Poster presentation at the 83rd American Diabetes Association (ADA) scientific session. June 2023, San Diego, CA.
  4. The interplay between structural factors and individual choice in diabetes prevention behaviors among Latinxs: A qualitative study. Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) meeting, October 2021. Denver, CO.
  5. Segmented assimilation patterns and engagement in health behaviors among Latinxs: Lessons for future diabetes prevention efforts. Oral presentation within the panel: Governance and Population Health: Fragmentation, Structural Racism, and Pathways to Equity. Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science (IAPHS), October 2021 [Online].
Service
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Grants
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Clinical Trials
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Awards & Honors
  1. San Diego State University, University Graduate Fellowship, Research Fellow Fall 2022 – Spring 2024
  2. California State University Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), Fellow Fall 2022 – Present
  3. San Diego State University, Library Research Award Spring 2021
  4. University of California, San Diego, Hispanic Center of Excellence, Doctoral Fellow Fall 2019 – Present
  5. San Diego State University, Diversity Inclusion and Social Justice Research Award Spring 2020
Patents & Copyrights
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Media
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Fun Facts
  1. Marisa is the devoted owner of two beloved canine companions: Chako, an adorable miniature chocolate poodle, and Sprout, a charming spaniel mix
  2. An avid water enthusiast, Marisa finds joy in exploring the underwater world through snorkeling and relishes any opportunity to immerse herself in aquatic activities.