Student Research on Display at National Public Health Conference

Trinity students shined at the November American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in Washington, presenting cutting-edge research addressing critical health equity issues.

Five undergraduate students—Asiwome Agbleze, Josefina Rodriguez, Daniela Silva, Retina Christian, and Kaletra Arnold—played integral roles in groundbreaking research on food insecurity and cognitive function among women living with HIV. Working with Dr. Wairimu Mwangi, each student conducted focused literature reviews on specific psychosocial factors such as depression, anxiety, and social support.

“My student mentees’ dedication and creativity were invaluable to our success at APHA, and their involvement at this national conference exemplifies the sophisticated, hands-on learning experiences Trinity provides,” said Dr. Mwangi.

Health Services students A’Nya Vest and Jazmin Galan-Oliva, alongside alumna Kimberly Ortiz, M.P.H. ’20, presented research on inclusive fitness programs for adults with intellectual disabilities—work born from Trinity’s partnership with Special Olympics DC that embodies the university’s commitment to social justice.

Research by Senior Lorena Mendoza-Perez Tackles Opioid Crisis

Biology and Chemistry double major Lorena Mendoza-Perez was selected for the highly competitive Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) at Michigan’s Rackham Graduate School. There, she worked in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry on “Biosynthetic Diversification and Metabolic Engineering of Cyclopeptide Alkaloids”—a project she calls “a dream come true.”

“I’ve always wanted to work with natural products to find solutions to addictive prescription drugs, an issue I saw firsthand in my small rural town,” Lorena reflected. “I hold this project very dear to my heart.”

Her research used advanced biosynthetic techniques to engineer naturally occurring compounds with pain-relieving and anti-anxiety properties. The work contributes directly to finding safer therapeutic options during the ongoing opioid crisis.

Already an accomplished researcher at Trinity studying virtual reality integration in science education, Lorena says the Michigan experience gave her “clarity and confidence” as she prepares to pursue pharmacy school to become a clinical pharmacist.

Counseling Graduate Students Selected for Prestigious Emerging Leaders Program

Graduate students Kyrah Lee and Morgyn Ogburn have been selected to participate in the prestigious Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) Emerging Leaders Program. The highly selective program accepts just 12 individuals annually. Kyrah (pictured, left) and Morgyn (right), both pursuing their M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, for their exceptional leadership potential, willingness to serve the counseling profession, and passion for advancing mental health services.

“Their selection to the Emerging Leaders Program reflects not only their individual excellence but also their commitment to leadership and service in the mental health field,” said Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, Director of the Counseling Program.

As Emerging Leaders, Kyrah and Morgyn will receive mentorship from established MCA leaders, build leadership skills and professional networks, and gain exposure to the responsibilities of leadership within the counseling profession through opportunities to serve on committees and task forces.

“Kyrah and Morgyn embody Trinity’s values of social justice, advocacy, and service,” noted Brigid Noonan, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. “They are positioned to make meaningful contributions to the counseling profession and to serve diverse communities throughout their careers.

Lakshmi Mosquera Herrera ’25 Shapes Federal Policy on Capitol Hill

Lakshmi Mosquera Herrera ’25 is making her mark in the halls of Congress, advocating for policies that impact millions of Americans. Selected from over 400 applicants for the highly competitive Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Public Policy Fellowship, Lakshmi now serves as a CHCI Public Policy Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lakshmi graduated magna cum laude from Trinity with a B.A. in Global Affairs and a minor in Latin American Development Studies. “Trinity pushed me to sharpen the analytical and writing skills I rely on every day in my policy work,” she says. At Trinity, she co-founded the Debate Society, led the Model UN team, and served as vice president of both the Black Student Alliance and her graduating class. Her achievements earned her honors including the T-Pin Award, induction into Phi Beta Kappa, and the Mary Boyle McCrory Award for excellence in writing.

Through internships with United We Dream and the American Friends Service Committee, Lakshmi tracked immigration legislation, drafted policy briefs, and supported campaigns for immigrant protections. She deepened her global policy perspective through fellowships at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where she co-authored policy recommendations on election security and artificial intelligence, and at Citizens for Global Solutions, where she represented the organization at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

As a Public Policy Fellow, Lakshmi will expand her knowledge of immigration policy and advocate for equitable, community-informed solutions. Her long-term goal is to help shape a policymaking culture that centers the insights and experiences of immigrant and underrepresented communities.

Junior Millicent Okoro Co-Authors Published Research on Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury

Millicent Okoro, a double major in Biochemistry and Public Health in Trinity’s Honors program, has achieved what few undergraduates accomplish: co-authoring a peer-reviewed research paper in a major academic journal.

The paper, “Intimate Partner Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury: Leveraging Opportunities to Reimagine Interprofessional Collaboration,” was published in the journal Health & Social Work. Millicent collaborated with Dr. Portia Cole, Director of Trinity’s Social Work program, and Dr. Carrie O’Reilly, Associate Dean of Nursing.

“We examined the intersection of social work, nursing, and public health perspectives,” Millicent explained, “and how they can come together to create a more welcoming setting for victims of intimate partner violence and better care in a clinical setting.” Integrating these three professional perspectives creates more sustainable recovery pathways for IPV survivors with TBI.

Previously, through Trinity’s Summer Research program, Millicent investigated “The Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Genes: A Focus on DNA Methylation Across the Limbic System,” exploring brain and memory functions. “Millicent has an extraordinary work ethic and her impressive research contributions pave the way for future public health and social work collaborations,” beamed Dr. Cole.

What a Reunion! What a Symposium!

Alumnae and alumni discovered the magic of returning to campus during Reunion 2025. The three-day celebration kicked off with Thursday’s Alumnae College and an enthralling book talk by Trinity Professor Dr. Jamal Watson. Friday’s thought-provoking symposium (see below) was followed by professional development programs co-hosted by the Alumnae/i Board and facilitated by board member and faculty Sherron Washington, and an environmental campus tour by Dr. Patrice Nielson.

Saturday celebrated treasured traditions, including the Cap and Gown Convocation in the gloriously restored Notre Dame Chapel. The festivities continued with the Reunion Luncheon where President McGuire and Alumnae/i Board President Treva Smith (pictured, left) presented the 50th Reunion Class of 1975 with their 50th reunion medals. class photos, class meetings, and the Well Sing followed.

Reunion concluded with the Reunion Liturgy in Notre Dame Chapel and the lovely Farewell Reception.

We look forward to more exciting events and joyful celebrations at next year’s Reunion – save the date: October 22-24, 2026!

Symposium: “From Leo XIII to Leo XIV: A Century of Social Justice Shaping Trinity”

Friday’s symposium began with President McGuire recounting how Pope Leo XIII’s vision launched 125 years of social justice at Trinity, setting the tone for a day of lively panels bringing together nationally recognized scholars and advocacy leaders with Trinity’s own faculty and students. Alumna Nancy Pelosi ’62, pictured below at the symposium with current Trinity students, participated in these deeply moving conversations, reminding us that Pope Paul IV taught that, “if you want peace, work for justice.”

Morning sessions explored Catholic social justice imperatives in contemporary America, including a roundtable examining Catholic witness in today’s public square, an analysis of Pope Leo XIV’s vision for 21st-century social justice by author Christopher White, and Dr. Amelia Uelmen of Georgetown University Law Center examining Catholic mission in higher education amid evolving DEI policies. In the afternoon, speakers from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Charities, and Trinity’s own Dreamer scholars explored urgent immigration challenges.

Watch video of the Symposium sessions

Trinity Faculty Gain National Recognition

Dr. Sita Ramamurti, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, published an op-ed in The EDU Ledger outlining Trinity’s “Four Pillars” approach to student success as a model for institutions nationwide.

Dr. Jamal Watson, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, discussed his new book The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency with Rev. Al Sharpton on MSNBC, arguing that the $1.7 trillion debt facing 45 million borrowers is a civil rights issue. He also gave a book talk at Reunion.
Dr. LaNail Plummer, Program Director for Counseling in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, published The Essential Guide for Counseling Black Women, offering clinicians culturally informed strategies for supporting Black women facing issues from trauma to mental health disorders.

Dr. Kimberly Monroe, Associate Professor of History & Africana Studies, received The Crossroads Project Fellowship from Princeton University for her research on how a Lake Charles church sustained its community through natural disasters and environmental racism.

Dr. Allen Pietrobon, Associate Professor of Global Affairs and program chair, lectured at Hiroshima University’s Nuclear History Summer Camp, a nine-day seminar marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing.

Dr. James Stocker, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs, had his lecture on the origins of U.S. involvement in the Arab-Israeli peace process featured on C-SPAN’s Lectures in History series.

Professor Toni Scott, who teaches Arts and Movement in the Classroom in Trinity’s Early Childhood Education program, was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Baltimore for 2025 by Women We Admire for her work as Director of Early Learning Classrooms at Kennedy Krieger Institute.