Staff
Executive Director: Jasmine J. Opusunju, DrPH, MSEd, CHES, CPH
Dr. Opusunju received her DrPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Texas School of Public Health (Houston) with a minor in Management, Policy, and Community Health and a concentration in Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR). She has extensive experience in grassroots community engagement, capacity building, coalition development, and leadership and advocacy training to promote environmental changes essential for facilitating the adoption and maintenance of healthy lifestyles. Dr. Opusunju has spent over 12 years working in health promotion research in various capacities with a particular focus on social justice, health equity, the built environment and childhood obesity, and CBPR. She has also been engaged in research related to body image, patient navigation, and colorectal cancer screening. Her background experience extends from the corporate sector in the international food industry for over 15 years. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), serves in various leadership positions (eg. Board Member for the African American Health Coalition; Treasurer, Past President, and Advocacy Committee Chair for the Texas Society for Public Health Education, and is Certified in Public Health (CPH). Dr. Opusunju has been in academia for over 13 years. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at Baylor University and also serves as the Director for the MPH@Baylor Online Program. Dr. Opusunju’s personal mission is to leverage resources to reach the communities in need while empowering communities to be engaged in the creation of effective policies and sustainable systems that will promote health equity.
Coordinator,Community Driven Initiatives: Marleny Vazquez
Marleny received her Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Science under the Didactic Program in Dietetics track from Texas A & M University. In the near future Marleny aspires to become a registered Dietitian and continue to work on
CAN DO's mission to advance healthy lifestyles through community-driven solutions in the Houston area. She strongly believes that nutrition and physical fitness education is the key to making significant health changes in communities. Working at CAN DO Houston allows her to witness the implementation of those beliefs while learning about the necessity of community-based practices. In her spare time, Marleny enjoys to travel the world because it gives her an opportunity to learn about different cultures.
CAN DO's mission to advance healthy lifestyles through community-driven solutions in the Houston area. She strongly believes that nutrition and physical fitness education is the key to making significant health changes in communities. Working at CAN DO Houston allows her to witness the implementation of those beliefs while learning about the necessity of community-based practices. In her spare time, Marleny enjoys to travel the world because it gives her an opportunity to learn about different cultures.
Interns
Daria Burton
Daria R. Burton graduated from Prairie View A&M University, where she holds a degree in nutrition with an emphasis in dietetics. She is currently a graduate student, at University of Nevada Reno pursuing a master’s in public health. Daria grew up in a family with a parent in the Military, and had the privilege of traveling around the world during her childhood to countries including South Korea, Germany, Thailand, and Italy. Her experiences in these countries made her realize her passion for health and nutrition. She aims to utilize her experiences and education to assist in addressing the impact of positive health changes in Houston.
Alexis Watson
Alexis Watson is a graduating senior of, Prairie View A&M University pursuing a bachelors of science degree in Health and Human Performance under the College of Education. Alexis will continue her passion for learning in hopes of in the future becoming a Public Health Nurse Practitioner and one day opening her own clinic in her hometown of Inglewood, CA. While interning with CAN DO Houston Alexis hopes to learn community-based strategies for improving health, and how to translate knowledge into practical and sustainable programs and initiatives. In Alexis’s spare time she enjoys going to concerts, movies and hanging out with friends and family.