Our Postdoctoral Fellows

Natalia Heredia, Ph.D. has research interests in cancer prevention for the Hispanic population through the energy-balance behaviors of physical activity and diet. She received a B.A. in psychology and policy studies from Rice University, an M.P.H. in health promotion from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in behavioral sciences from the University of Texas Health Science Center. In her project, "Understanding Factors Contributing to the Rise of Metabolic Disease and Associated Liver Cancer Among Hispanics," Dr. Heredia will explore how health behaviors, neighborhood environments, lack of information on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and existing NAFLD clinical practice contribute to the rise of metabolic disease, liver disease, and liver cancer in Hispanics. With guidance from mentor Dr. Lorna McNeill (Health Disparities Research), Dr. Heredia's research will help prevent liver cancers in the Hispanic community. 

Sukh Makhnoon, Ph.D., completed both a M.S. in genetic epidemiology and Ph.D. in public health genetics from the University of Washington. Her dissertation addressed health psychology and patient-provider interactions and Dr. Makhnoon's goal is to lead efforts to ease translation of new genomic applications in clinical genomics by developing education and communication tools to help providers, patients, and their families better understand and discuss genetic and genomic information. Dr. Susan Peterson (Behavioral Science) serves as primary mentor; Sukh's research will focus on adherence to cancer genetic test-related recommendation, as well as written and familial communication of uncertain genetic test results.

Dr. Preeti Kanikarla Marie's research, Targeting Platelet Function in Preventing Immune Evasion of Tumor Cells, reflects her scientific interests in understanding the extensive role of platelets in pre-malignancy and colorectal cancer.  Dr. Marie received a M.S. degree in biotechnology from New York University and Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Louisiana State University. Dr. Scott Kopetz (Gastrointestinal Oncology) serves as primary mentor.

Onyema Greg Chido-Amajuoyi, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., received a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree from Igbinedion University, Nigeria. After which he worked as a clinician prior to enrolling at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, where he received an M.P.H. (Epidemiology). Under the mentorship of Dr. Sanjay Shete and co-mentors Dr. Paul Cinciripini (Chair, Behavioral Science) and Dr. Ernest Hawk (Vice President of Cancer Prevention), Onyema's postdoctoral research will investigate the Population-Level Assessment of HPV Vaccination Trends, Use of E-cigarettes to Quite Smoking and Cancer Screening Behaviors.

Margaret Raber, DrPH, has successfully competed three fellowship awards with the CPRTP at MD Anderson. Earlier in her career, she received a certificate in culinary arts from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in London. She later obtained a B.S. in nutrition/food studies from New York University. While pursuing an M.P.H. from the University of Texas, she was awarded an NCI R25E graduate research fellowship. As Maggie was working on her doctoral degree in public health from the University of Texas, she was awarded an NCI predoctoral fellowship. After graduating, Dr. Raber received an MD Anderson postdoctoral fellowship to develop her innovative project, The Measurement and Impact of Healthy Cooking Behaviors in Nutrition Interventions Among Cancer Survivors and High Risk Adults, under the mentorship of Dr. Karen Basen-Engquist of Behavioral Science