Meet the NMPHA Interns - Spring 2026

Adrian Alvarez - New Mexico State University

¡Hola! My name is Adrian Alvarez. I grew up in Chihuahua, Mexico, and am bilingual in Spanish and English, which has shaped my interest in culturally responsive public health practice. I am a senior Bachelor of Public Health student at New Mexico State University with strong interests in health education, community outreach, and public health administration. I am currently completing a fellowship with the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN), as well as my field experience with the New Mexico Public Health Association (NMPHA). I have previously been involved in community-based work addressing food insecurity and health access, including service learning with the San Juan College Food for Thought program. Academically, I earned my Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on psychology in Summer 2025 from San Juan College and my Associate’s degree in Science in Fall 2025 from Doña Ana Community College. During Spring 2026, I will complete my Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in sociology from DACC alongside my Bachelor of Public Health. As this is my final semester at NMSU, I have applied to several graduate programs and plan to continue my education beyond my undergraduate studies.

Cristela Avila - University of Texas at El Paso

Hello! My name is Cristela Anahi Avila. I am currently pursuing my Master of Public Health at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), building upon my foundational career as a Nutritionist in Mexico. As a Latina professional, I am deeply passionate about the health and well-being of infants, children, and women within the Latino community. I currently serve my community through the New Mexico Department of Health’s WIC program, where being bilingual allows me to connect deeply with my patients and ensure they feel truly understood. My journey from clinical nutrition in Mexico to public health in New Mexico has fueled my commitment to health equity. I am excited to intern with NMPHA, where I hope to use my professional background and cultural identity to advocate for systemic changes that support the nutritional needs of all families in our state.

Melissa Gabaldon - New Mexico State University

Hello, my name is Melissa Gabaldon, I am a Master of Public Health Student at New Mexico State University with a concentration in health management, administration, and policy. I graduated from Fort Lewis College with a degree in Biology. Currently I work as a laboratory analyst studying environmental concerns such as mold and asbestos. I am from a very small community with health concerns within the population. I hope to one day give back and help make my community healthier. I look forward to working with NMPHA and gaining insight to apply to my community.

Angelina Rodriguez - University of New Mexico

Hello! My name is Angelina Rodriguez and I am originally from San Antonio, Texas. I currently attend the University of New Mexico, where I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Population Health in May 2026. In my final semester of UNM, I am interning with the New Mexico Public Health Association (NMPHA) and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) to develop programs to reduce cardiovascular disease. I have a passion for health policy, and strategies that better support women and Latino populations. Through my academic and field experiences thus far, I have developed skills in research and program planning. I am particularly interested in working within public health policy, community leadership, or health program management. In my career, I hope to help shape policies and programs that are rooted in community voices and needs

Chanda Atkins - The University of Arizona

Hello my name is Chanda Atkins, I am a Masters of Public Health student at The University of Arizona with a concentration in Global Health. I also have a Bachelors degree in Public Health with a concentration in One Health. I work as an Infection Preventionist at a local hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am passionate about all things Public Health, from vaccinations, health policy, to environmental health. In my free time I like to read fiction, garden, and just be outside. I look forward to completing my Masters Report with NMPHA.

Lynsey Pinto - Johns Hopkins School of Public Health

Yá’át’ééh, my name is Lynsey Pinto. I grew up in Ojo Amarillo, a small Navajo community in northwest New Mexico. I earned a BS in Population Health and Political Science from the University of New Mexico. I have a passion for Indigenous women’s health and strategies to connect communities to the policymaking process. I am currently in a Master of Science in Public Health in Health Policy program at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. After graduating from Hopkins, I plan to work on Indigenous health policy in New Mexico and am excited to engage in health equity work while interning with NMPHA.