Leah Morgan, B.S.
lmorgan@miners.utep.edu
(915) 503-0374
Education
University of Texas at El Paso, Masters in Public Health (2012-August 2014)
Thesis Title: Association between Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Knowledge and Risk Behaviors
among Injection Drug Users with HCV in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua during 2012.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Masters in Public Administration (2008- May
2014)
University of Texas at El Paso, Bachelors of Science in Health Promotion and Minor in
Community Health (2005-2008)
Research Interest
For my thesis, I am interested in studying the Association between Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Knowledge and Risk Behaviors among Injection Drug Users with HCV in Ciudad Juarez,
Chihuahua during 2012. I am also researching on Methamphetamine use in the El Paso and
Juarez Chih Border Region. This year I have been acknowledging health disparities here in the
Border and how it is affecting people’s health everyday.
Professional Experience
Research Assistant to Dr. Oralia Loza, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), College of
Health Sciences (04/2012 - Present). Research trainee under the NIDA funded Vulnerability
Issues in Drug Abuse (VIDA) Project at UTEP. My responsibilities and training included
research among injection drug users that are positive with HCV in the Border Region. I also am
doing research on Methamphetamine use in El Paso TX and Juarez Ch. I am researching
partners, drug use, background, statistics and multiple areas in this field of work. I am involved
in preparing oral and poster presentation for scientific conferences. I collect and organize peerreviewed literature reviews and then enter them into reference managing. I have also been able to
analyze and summarize statistical findings in a table. Also, I have been directed on how to
organize and write a thesis or manuscript.
El Paso Department of Public Health- Assisting Deputy Director
Supervisor: Angela Mora
February 2013- October 2014
Fortunately I was involved in developing and implementing health programs to bring obesity
awareness in El Paso. We were involved in a State grant that helped reduce health disparity
factors like adding safe trails around El Paso County. I was able to put together logic models
that helped take direction in the work we were working on. Several times a month I assisted
with developing agendas for meetings and taking notes for the facilitators. I was able to develop
power points, spreadsheets, and outlines in different projects. Assisting with HIPAA and
compliance training manuals. I assisted in making yearly 2-1-1 phone calls to update and keep
their referral system current.
Planned Parenthood of West Texas- Center Manager, Health Educator, and Quality Assurance
Risk Manager.
CEO/ Supervisor: Carla Holeva
08/2008-07/2010 and 02/2011-03/2012
Planned Parenthood of West Texas, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation governed by an
elected, volunteer board of directors and affiliated with Planned Parenthood Federation of
America. We are supported by patient fees, federal and state grants, foundations, and private
donations. Collaborating with school leaders, community organizations, we advocate the
promotion of comprehensive sex education to the children. I assisted in building rapport within
the community organizations to organize fundraisers to assist Planned Parenthood improve
health programs. I was an educator promoting and educating the community on reducing risky
sexual behavior with comprehensive sex education. As a health educator, I was a solid
communicator delivering medically accurate information within the community on statistics and
how to properly use a condom. As a clinic manager, I worked with patients engaging in risky
sexual behaviors with persons of the same or opposite sex. I was required to work closely with
patients recently released from prison and living in shelters. Worked with juvenile detention
centers and emergency shelters on the promotion of safe sex.
Internship Experience
Planned Parenthood of El Paso, TX- Desert Rainbow Center
Practicum Supervisor: Adriana Rascon
Email: arascon3@utep.edu
05/2008-07/2008
Assisted in the education department. The agency provided free HIV testing at a community
church within the gay nightclub neighborhood. I participated in distributing free condoms
outside the clubs and shared the importance of being tested with clients. The agency had
proficient counselors that were there to help anyone that was HIV positive and needed
counseling and support to tell their partners. The center was working to reduce needle sharing
and promoting condom use. I worked with the Ryan White funded HIV projects, health
education within the community, and drug/alcohol addiction programs. At Planned Parenthood,
we were able to provide comprehensive sex education classes to agencies and centers. I had the
opportunity to work attentively with clients that were engaging in substance abuse and risky
sexual behavior. We also promoted resources in the community for persons living with HIV and
Hepatitis C.
Presentations
Morgan, Leah (Presenter), Loza, Oralia, "Association between Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Knowledge and Risk Behaviors among Injection Drug Users with HCV in Ciudad Juarez,
Chihuahua during 2012," Poster, UTEP 3rd Annual Graduate Research Expo. Academic, peerreviewed/refereed, Accepted (could not present due to medical emergency). (November 7, 2013)
BACKGROUND: The U.S.-Mexico border reality includes drug trafficking, immigration, and
sexual tourism making its residents vulnerable for substance use and HCV.AIMS &
HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this proposed study is to determine the relationship between
knowledge and risk behaviors for HCV (including works and needle sharing). METHODS: Data
was collected on demographic characteristics, drug use, needle and works sharing, HCV
knowledge, and sexual risk behaviors among 49 IDUs who were HCV positive and living in Cd.
Juarez. The association between knowledge and risk behaviors for HCV will be determined
using the Chi Square Tests for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables.
Dr. Loza (Presenter), Leah Morgan assisted with presentation, “Methamphetamine Use along the
U.S.-Mexico Border Region.” Presented at the University of Texas at El Paso. (February 12 &
19, 2014).
Certifications
National Institute of Health Office of Extramural Certificate; Protecting Human Research
participants. (2012).
Social & Behavioral Researchers (Faculty & Students), Basic Course, Collaborative Institutional
Training Initiative (CITI). (03/03/2016).
Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), Collaborative Institutional
Training Initiative (CITI). (01/29/2016).
Michigan Certificate of Completion; Measuring Health Disparities Parts 1 & 2.
(January 23, 2014).
Extracurricular
Students for Public Health (UTEP Students Organization)
2012- Present
Skills
Proficient in statistical analysis software SPSS, EndNote reference manager, and Microsoft
Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
References
Available upon request.