Health Professions Committee
The Health Professions Committee (HPC) is comprised of various faculty and staff at California State University, Fullerton who are skilled in an array of different backgrounds ranging from the science, math, and English professors to Deans of colleges. The role of the HPC is to compose letters of recommendation for students who are applying for professional school. The Committee letter is designed to enhance the applicant’s chances of gaining admission into the applicant’s desired health professional school program. This is usually supplemented with individual letters of recommendation, and further sent to schools as a letter packet.
Math P. Cuajungco, Ph.D.
Professor, Biological Science
Education:B.Sc., M.Sc. University of Auckland, New Zealand; Ph.D. University of Auckland, New Zealand
Research Interests: The role of TRP ion channels in human diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Mucolipidosis type IV, and cancer); Zinc neurobiology; Metal transporters; Stem cells; Drug discovery
Email: mcuajungco@fullerton.edu
Michele Mouttapa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Health Science Education: B.S. in Psychology from UC Davis, M.A. in Psychology from CSUF, and Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine, Health Behavior Research from USC. Research Interests: The reduction of health risk behaviors among underserved minority populations in community settings.
Email: mmouttapa@fullerton.edu
Veronica Jimenez Ortiz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Science
Education: Ph.D., University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; M.Sc. Juan Agustin Maza University, Mendoza, Argentina; B.Pharm. Juan Agustin Maza University, Mendoza, Argentina
Research Interests: Role of ion channels in sensing and adaptation to environmental conditions in protozoan parasites. Neglected Tropical Diseases. Host-parasite interactions.
Email: vjimenezortiz@fullerton.edu
Tatiana Pedroza, M.A.
Assistant Dean for Students Affairs College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Education: M.A. American Studies, B.A. Women and Gender Studies and B.A.
Sociology, California State University, Fullerton
History of race and ethnicity in the United States, intersectionality of gender, race, socio economic status, and sexuality in higher education.
Email: tapedroza@fullerton.edu
Alison Miyamoto, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and CIRM Bridges to Stem Cell Research Internship Coordinator; Department of Biological Science Education: B. Sc. Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Standford University
Research Interests: Extracellular matrix, molecular characterization of the microfibril associated protein MAGP2, MAGP2 function in cancer and immunity.
Email: almiyamoto@fullerton.edu
Debbie Rose
Kinesiology and Center for Successful Aging Education: M.S. University of Oregon, 1982; PhD Penn State University, 1985.
Research Interests: Role of physical activity in the prevention and/or management of chronic disease; assessment and treatment of balance and mobility disorders; predictors of successful aging.
Email: drose@fullerton.edu
Laura Chandler, DrPH, MCHES
Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Education: B.S. in Psychology from CSULB, M.P.H. in Health Education for Loma Linda University, and Dr.P.H. in Health Education from Loma Linda University.
Research Interests: Adolescent and college health, specifically health education and promotion with regard to nutrition and physical activity.
Email: lchandler@fullerton.edu
Yuying Tsong, Ph.D.
Associate Director, University Honors Program
Professor, Department of Human Services Education: B.S. in Agricultural Economics from National Taiwan University, and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from University of Southern California
Research and Clinical Interests: Mental health disparities in minority populations. Immigrant and transitional families experiences. Body image and disordered eating.
Email: yuying.tsong@fullerton.edu
Brandy Schaal
University Extended Education
Email: bschaal@fullerton.edu
