CPH Faculty

Dr. Iulia Fratila is an assistant professor in the Department of Global and Community Health. Fratila’s research interests have practical and scholarly contributions related to health promotion, health education (e.g., drug education, sexual health education) and leisure and health studies. Her teaching repertoire includes classes such as social determinants of health, introduction to public health, ethics in health sciences, and research methods.

Dr. Choi is Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health. Choi’s research interests are environmental and occupational health and safety, human factors and ergonomics, total workers health, fall prevention (older adults), and prevention through design.

Dr. Li-Mei Chen is Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work since Fall 2023. Chen’s teaching and research focuses on dementia and aging, productive aging, intersectionality and role of lifecourse in older ethnic minorities, community gerontology, and social policy. She teaches BSW SOCW 312 Knowledge Building for Helping Professionals.

Dr. Jacqueline Guevara is a native of Washington DC, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in both Virginia and DC, and has been in the social work field for over 13 years. She has extensive experience working in various agencies within child welfare (including Child Protective Services, Preservation Services, and Foster Care), school social work, juvenile court, and community mental health. Her areas of research and interest include racial inequity, stigma in the LatinX community including the impact of machismo and marianismo, juvenile justice, trauma/PTSD, and cultural stress.

Alison Cuellar will continue to advance the College’s research strategy and implementation efforts as our Associate Dean of Research. Since her appointment as interim Associate Dean in March 2023, Dr. Cuellar has moved quickly to help faculty expand their research capacity and support early-career and new faculty. 

Dr. Prieto joined Mason in the fall of 2023. His research interests focus on aging and sexual health among older adults. He is passionate about advancing the discussions concerning sexual satisfaction and health disparities among older LGBTQIA+ populations. Prieto has published in several health-related journals such as Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. He earned his B.S. in Sociology/Criminal Justice at Central Michigan University, M.S.W. at the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. at Michigan State University.

Dr. Kenneth Frese is Director of Clinical Operations in the School of Nursing. Frese’s research and quality improvement interests are in patient safety, expanding healthcare access, new nurse preparedness and professional identity. Before coming to Mason, Frese was a clinical nurse for 31 years, spanning roles from Practical Nurse to Clinical Nurse Specialist. His experience includes 27 years with Inova primarily in Critical Care, and he has led and collaborated on multiple successful facility and system-wide QI projects.

Dr. Yanika Kowitlawakul is an Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and has been involved in teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Kowitlawakul’s research interests are educational technology and patient safety.

Dr. Jessica Mitro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health. She is passionate about access to and mobilization of knowledge and excited to support our future community, public health, and healthcare professionals.

Dr. James “Jimmy” DeMarco is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing. His research interest included improving mental health outcomes through the use of nursing involvement and empowerment.