When Betty Hernandez was a child, she filled her Houston home with insects despite her mother's protests. That childhood fascination with bugs eventually led her to study entomology at Texas A&M University, where she spent hours in the honeybee lab perfecting her research skills. Today, as a Research Coordinator at UTHealth Houston, Betty applies those same skills to advance public health initiatives that serve vulnerable communities.
El Salvador Fieldwork Reveals Public Health's Real-World Impact
Betty's transition from entomology to public health began at Texas Children's Hospital, where she worked as a research assistant when COVID-19 struck in 2020. As the pandemic unfolded, she found herself screening hospital visitors and employees, witnessing firsthand how health crises affect entire communities.
The turning point came when she joined Dr. Kristy Murray’s team at Baylor College of Medicine. The position took her to El Salvador, her parents' homeland, where she assisted in surveillance on dengue, chikungunya, and other neglected tropical diseases.
"Working with the Ministry of Health in El Salvador opened my eyes to what public health really was," Betty recalls. "My entomology background helped because I understood mosquitoes, but seeing how these diseases affected communities made me realize I wanted to work in this field."
Personal ADHD Diagnosis Shapes Research on Health Communication Barriers
Betty's personal experiences shaped her academic focus at UTMB's School of Public and Population Health (SPPH). Diagnosed with ADHD at 25, she learned firsthand the importance of clear health communication. Years of explaining her diagnosis to family members who initially struggled to understand mental health conditions taught her that effective communication requires meeting people where they are.
This insight drove her master's capstone project on health literacy among limited English speakers. Betty examined multiple journal articles involving evaluations of programs like Harris Health's community clinics and La Nueva Casa de Amigos, a clinic she visited as a child for free vaccines. Her research emphasized that organizations, rather than individuals, bear the responsibility for bridging health literacy gaps.
"You can't get people to understand research if they don't understand health in general," Betty explains. "There's typically a lower enrollment rate of Hispanic communities in research studies. One way to reach them is to meet them where they're at."
Houston-to-Galveston Commute Tests Commitment to MPH Goals
While earning her MPH, Betty commuted daily from Houston to Galveston, working full-time as she attended classes. Her supervisors at Baylor accommodated her schedule, allowing her to work half days when needed and make up hours later. Despite the challenges, she graduated in May 2025 with a strengthened commitment to health policy and research ethics.
Betty credits SPPH faculty like Dr. Stephen Molldrem and Dr. Emma Tumilty for exemplifying the kind of public health professional she aspires to become. Their courses on ethics and research challenged students to think critically about protecting vulnerable populations in research settings.
"Research is built on trust," Betty emphasizes. "Patients come to us with faith in what we're doing. It's our duty to protect that trust through proper policies and accountability."
PhD Plans Focus on Healthcare Policy's Role in Research Protection
Now at UTHealth Houston, Betty continues building her expertise in clinical research coordination. She's setting her sights on a PhD in Healthcare Management and Health Policy, viewing policy work as essential for protecting research participants and advancing health outcomes.
Her advice for current SPPH students reflects her own journey: "Be prepared to read extensively and communicate your understanding effectively. The skills you're learning will make your future career in public health much easier to manage. And never be afraid to ask for help – working in public health is a team effort."
Betty's research has already contributed to scientific understanding of disease ecology. Her 2024 publication in Ecological Entomology examined pollen consumption by blow flies in Texas, revealing unexpected connections between insects and plant pollination. This work demonstrates how interdisciplinary perspectives strengthen public health research.
For Betty, every research project represents an opportunity to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities. Whether studying insects or implementing clinical trials, she approaches each challenge with the same curiosity that once led her to collect bugs as a child – now channeled toward creating a healthier, more equitable world.
Betty Hernandez earned her MPH in Public Health Practice from UTMB in 2025. She currently serves as Research Coordinator II at UTHealth Houston.