Trepka, Mary-Jo, MD, MSPH
PI, Research Education and Training Core
Office: HLS II 582

Tel: (305) 348-7186
Fax: (305) 348-4901
Email: trepkam@fiu.edu

Dr. Trepka leads the Research Education and Training Core of the Center. This Core specifically aims to increase the number of researchers and professionals from health disparity backgrounds who are committed to eliminating HIV and substance abuse health disparities in Latino populations. Dr. Trepka’s background uniquely qualifies her to lead this Core.

Dr. Trepka’s research focuses on health disparities and HIV/AIDS and STDs. She is currently Principal Investigator of an R01 to study the role of socioeconomic status, segregation, and rural residence in causing this survival disadvantage among African Americans living with HIV/AIDS in Florida. Additionally, Dr. Trepka has mentored PhD students in a variety of disciplines including epidemiology, health promotion, dietetics and nutrition, and nursing. Also, prior to arriving at Florida International University, Dr. Trepka worked as the county epidemiologist for Miami-Dade County. In that position, she both came face to face with the health disparities facing Latino populations in the community and also developed relationships with community leaders and an understanding of the challenges facing them and their organizations.

Experience

• Director, Epidemiology and Disease Control, Miami-Dade County Health Department
• Epidemic Intelligence Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Epidemiologist, Research Center for Health and Environment, Neuherberg, Germany
• Board Certified Preventive Medicine and Public Health