Congratulations to the Summer 2026 Dean’s Excellence Award winners
Eleven students from the FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work have been selected as recipients of the Summer 2026 Dean’s Excellence Award. The award recognizes students for their outstanding academic achievement, leadership, research and service to the college, FIU and the broader community.
As they graduate this summer and begin the next chapter of their professional and academic journeys, we congratulate them on their accomplishments and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Giovanni Junqueira Garotti
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition
Giovanni combined his interest in nutrition science with endurance athletics, serving as president and co-founder of the FIU Triathlon Club. He also completed six Ironman triathlons across six continents using self-designed fueling plans and will continue at FIU in the M.S. in Dietetics and Nutrition program.
Maria Manrique
Master of Science in Dietetics & Nutrition
Maria developed her commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care through experiences with FIU Athletics, Common Threads and Baptist Health. An Auslander Scholarship recipient, she plans to begin her career as a registered dietitian focused on education, advocacy and improving health.
Alexandra Briceño
Ph.D. in Dietetics & Nutrition
Dr. Briceño distinguished herself through excellence in research, teaching, leadership and service. She led her dissertation research, contributed to grant-funded studies, mentored students and served as chair of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council.
Nikita Saint-Aude Michel
Bachelor of Science in Social Work
Nikita earned a 3.9 GPA and a perfect score on her E-Portfolio while demonstrating exceptional leadership and resilience. Despite experiencing a significant medical setback, she remained committed to her studies, field placement and the values of the social work profession.
Celine Cambara-Rincon
Master of Social Work
Celine maintained a 4.0 GPA while demonstrating strong critical thinking, empathy and professionalism. Through her field placement at Care Resource, she developed her clinical skills and provided thoughtful, client-centered support.
Isis Panellas
Ph.D. in Social Welfare
Dr. Panellas is an accomplished clinician, educator and emerging scholar whose experience spans oncology, medical social work and public health research. Her doctoral research examines mortality in nursing homes, and she currently coordinates an FIU clinical trial involving 9/11 World Trade Center responders.
Alexia Solano
Bachelor of Arts in Disaster Management
Alexia expanded her emergency management knowledge through FEMA courses, FIU Disaster Management Roundtables and community outreach with the FIU Pride Center. Inspired by her upbringing in Nicaragua, she hopes to help underserved communities strengthen their disaster preparedness and resilience.
Myles Holloway
Online Master of Public Health
Myles balanced a full MPH course load while working full-time as a rehabilitation technician. His experience includes public health research, clinical rehabilitation and mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds, reflecting his commitment to service and health equity.
Marina Gorgatti
Master of Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology
Marina earned a 4.0 GPA and led research examining transgender health with the Southern HIV and Alcohol Research Consortium. She will continue this work as a doctoral student at the University of California, Irvine.
Sultana Mubarika Rahman Chowdhury
Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Biostatistics
Dr. Chowdhury contributed to applied and methodological research, supported R-based teaching and served the college through student committees. She has accepted a position as a research scientist with Baptist Health Analytics, where she will continue contributing to population health.
Daniel Martinez-Perez
Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Brain Behavior & the Environment
Dr. Martinez-Perez’s Alzheimer’s disease research identified TSPO as a potential early biomarker and therapeutic target for neuroinflammation. An award-winning researcher and science communicator, he has presented his work at major scientific conferences and represented FIU nationally.