Who We Are
Wei-ting Chen, PhD, MA
Executive Director
Wei-ting Chen, PhD is the Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement. In this role, she provides overall leadership to the staff and guides the team in developing bi-directional research partnerships to improve health equity. As a sociologist, Wei-ting’s research interests focus on how social inequality shapes people’s life chances across the life course. Prior to joining Stanford, Wei-ting was the Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences Advisor with the UC Cooperative Extension System where she led an applied research program in the areas of food, agriculture, and public health, particularly around the impact of climate change on these issues. Learn more
Cristina Mancera, MA
Community Engagement Capacity Building Program Manager
Cristina joined OCE in 2022 in support of our mission to develop innovative engagement models, nurture community partnerships, and design and implement projects promoting health equity for diverse populations. She leads program and training development for academic research teams and community partners, seeking to empower them to integrate community-driven inquiry and solutions in translational science and research.
Lisa Goldman Rosas, PhD, MPH
Faculty Director
Lisa Goldman Rosas, PhD MPH serves as the Faculty Director for the Office of Community Engagement. Dr. Goldman Rosas is passionate about integrating the lived experience and perspective of community partners, patients, caregivers, and policy makers into research to affect the greatest impacts on health equity. As a reflection of this passion, she has developed and sustained many bidirectional partnerships with different community groups in diverse research areas including diabetes, cancer, disabilities, and other areas. Learn more
Yessica Martinez Mulet, MS
Research Coordinator
Yessica is the Research Coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement (OCE), working closely with the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Community Advisory Board the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities. Her work supports prioritizing community-engagement - integrating community voices, needs, and experiences into science, research, and programming. Prior to working with OCE, Yessica was completing her Master of Science in Community Health and Prevention Research at the Stanford School of Medicine.
Helen Hailu
Research Coordinator
Helen Hailu holds a B.A. in Public Policy Analysis and Biology from Pomona College and joined Stanford Medicine as a REACH Postbacc Scholar. She serves as a Research Coordinator in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and works closely with the Office of Community Engagement (OCE) team conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR). Helen is passionate about linking her academic interests in healthcare to research and policy implications, primarily promoting community-centered approaches to address health disparities. One research she is currently coordinating is examining the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot peer navigation program developed by and for Black Women with breast cancer or undergoing survivorship.
Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, PhD, MPH
Associate Director, Research
Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, PhD MPH serves as the Associate Director of Research. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health. The ultimate goal of her research is to improve community health through transdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship. Dr. Rodriguez Espinosa’s research has centered around developing the science of Community-Based Participatory Research and other participatory research approaches. She is also a committed teacher and mentor in community-engaged research. Dr. Rodriguez Espinosa also serves as the Core Associate Leader for the Outreach Recruitment and Engagement Core for the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Learn more
Dave Zapata
Program Associate
Dave actively contributes to the planning and coordination of all OCE events while providing program support through assistance with administrational office needs and the processing of financial transactions. He plays a pivotal role in developing operational procedures to enhance the effectiveness of OCE's organizational functions. Prior to joining OCE, Dave graduated SFSU with a major in Health Education and was a volunteer for various charity events within the Bay Area in an effort to give back to the community.
Glenda Estioko
Administrative Manager
Glenda oversees OCE’s programmatic functions related, but not limited to, the program’s administration, finance, and operations. In addition, she manages and amplifies the mission and core values of OCE through marketing, communications, and events to internal and external partners. Prior to working at Stanford, Glenda worked as a controller for community-based organizations (CBOs) and Fortune 200 companies.
Barakah Love
Research Coordinator
Barakah is Research Coordinator who works with Dr. Lisa Goldman Rosas focusing on cancer health equity work. She works closely with organizations and communities across the East Bay, including Black Ladies Advocating for Cancer Care (BLACC). She graduated from Mills College with a BA in Psychology. Her roots within a large diverse Muslim community that originated in East Oakland have informed her strong beliefs in centering in community, compassion, inclusivity and equity. This foundation in her life is something she aims to bring into her work to help create space for more diverse narratives.
Lisa Goldman Rosas, PhD, MPH
Faculty Director
Lisa Goldman Rosas, PhD MPH serves as the Faculty Director for the Office of Community Engagement. Dr. Goldman Rosas is passionate about integrating the lived experience and perspective of community partners, patients, caregivers, and policy makers into research to affect the greatest impacts on health equity. As a reflection of this passion, she has developed and sustained many bidirectional partnerships with different community groups in diverse research areas including diabetes, cancer, disabilities, and other areas. Learn more
Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, PhD, MPH
Associate Director, Research
Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, PhD MPH serves as the Associate Director of Research. She is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health. The ultimate goal of her research is to improve community health through transdisciplinary and community-engaged scholarship. Dr. Rodriguez Espinosa’s research has centered around developing the science of Community-Based Participatory Research and other participatory research approaches. She is also a committed teacher and mentor in community-engaged research. Dr. Rodriguez Espinosa also serves as the Core Associate Leader for the Outreach Recruitment and Engagement Core for the Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Learn more
Wei-ting Chen, PhD, MA
Executive Director
Wei-ting Chen, PhD is the Executive Director of the Office of Community Engagement. In this role, she provides overall leadership to the staff and guides the team in developing bi-directional research partnerships to improve health equity. As a sociologist, Wei-ting’s research interests focus on how social inequality shapes people’s life chances across the life course. Prior to joining Stanford, Wei-ting was the Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences Advisor with the UC Cooperative Extension System where she led an applied research program in the areas of food, agriculture, and public health, particularly around the impact of climate change on these issues. Learn more
Henry Alva Alva
Research Program Associate
Henry is the Research Program Associate in the Stanford Medicine Office of Community Engagement. Henry’s personal and professional experience has been centered around public engagement and community service. Prior to working with the Office of Community Engagement, Henry had worked on community focused research projects during his time at San Jose State and at his former employment with Catholic Charities. Research projects included the Southeast Asian Spartans Exhibit at San Jose State in conjunction with the MLK Library which sought to bring recognition of Southeast Asian students and affiliates in San Jose’s history prior to 1990, and CalFresh seminars with Catholic Charities about developing food conscious choices and resources for underserved communities in the East and South San Jose area. Additionally, his experience with Vida Sana has provided Henry with an introduction to research at Stanford University. Henry is very excited to join OCE and is looking forward to the opportunity to share his expertise and make a meaningful impact within the organization.
Nayeli Cerpas-Bernal
Community Engaged Health Equity Research Professional
Nayeli serves as a Community Engaged Health Equity Research Professional with the Office of Community Engagement and the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Stanford University’s School of Medicine. Nayeli is a bilingual and multicultural researcher experienced in partnering with communities on engagement, learning, and action efforts that center and uplift the power of community wisdom in health research. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UC Berkeley, a certificate in Spanish/English translation from National Hispanic University, and a Master in Public Health from San Francisco State University.
Glenda Estioko
Administrative Manager
Glenda oversees OCE’s programmatic functions related, but not limited to, the program’s administration, finance, and operations. In addition, she manages and amplifies the mission and core values of OCE through marketing, communications, and events to internal and external partners. Prior to working at Stanford, Glenda worked as a controller for community-based organizations (CBOs) and Fortune 200 companies.
Helen Hailu
Research Coordinator
Helen Hailu holds a B.A. in Public Policy Analysis and Biology from Pomona College and joined Stanford Medicine as a REACH Postbacc Scholar. She serves as a Research Coordinator in the Department of Epidemiology and Population Health and works closely with the Office of Community Engagement (OCE) team conducting community-based participatory research (CBPR). Helen is passionate about linking her academic interests in healthcare to research and policy implications, primarily promoting community-centered approaches to address health disparities. One research she is currently coordinating is examining the acceptability and feasibility of a pilot peer navigation program developed by and for Black Women with breast cancer or undergoing survivorship.
Barakah Love
Research Coordinator
Barakah is Research Coordinator who works with Dr. Lisa Goldman Rosas focusing on cancer health equity work. She works closely with organizations and communities across the East Bay, including Black Ladies Advocating for Cancer Care (BLACC). She graduated from Mills College with a BA in Psychology. Her roots within a large diverse Muslim community that originated in East Oakland have informed her strong beliefs in centering in community, compassion, inclusivity and equity. This foundation in her life is something she aims to bring into her work to help create space for more diverse narratives.
Cristina Mancera, MA
Community Engagement Capacity Building Program Manager
Cristina joined OCE in 2022 in support of our mission to develop innovative engagement models, nurture community partnerships, and design and implement projects promoting health equity for diverse populations. She leads program and training development for academic research teams and community partners, seeking to empower them to integrate community-driven inquiry and solutions in translational science and research.
Yessica Martinez Mulet, MS
Research Coordinator
Yessica is the Research Coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement (OCE), working closely with the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Community Advisory Board the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities. Her work supports prioritizing community-engagement - integrating community voices, needs, and experiences into science, research, and programming. Prior to working with OCE, Yessica was completing her Master of Science in Community Health and Prevention Research at the Stanford School of Medicine.
Dave Zapata
Program Associate
Dave actively contributes to the planning and coordination of all OCE events while providing program support through assistance with administrational office needs and the processing of financial transactions. He plays a pivotal role in developing operational procedures to enhance the effectiveness of OCE's organizational functions. Prior to joining OCE, Dave graduated SFSU with a major in Health Education and was a volunteer for various charity events within the Bay Area in an effort to give back to the community.