Our Team

Our Host

James Romine

James joins the podcast team after involvement in numerous Public Health initiatives such as research on the effectiveness of vaccines against COVID-19, infection prevention strategies in long-term care facilities, and community-based interventions against vector-borne disease in northern Mexico and Nicaragua. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua from 2010-2013, James supported community efforts to control Dengue fever, Chagas disease and other infectious diseases. James enjoys hiking, surfing, and walking his dog–a three year-old pug named Bill Pickles.

Founder and Guest Host

Gary Rotto

Gary Rotto is the founder of the “If I Could Change One Thing” Podcast which began in 2020. He now serves as an occasional guest host due to other university-wide leadership responsibilities. Professor Rotto continues to serve on the faculty of the School of Public Health specializing in Public Health policy. He also leads the Public Health study abroad program in Vietnam. Professor Rotto spends the majority of his time at SDSU as the Director of Federal Government Relations working across the colleges to advance research opportunities as well as promoting federal higher education policy benefiting students.

Former Host

Jenny Munday

The Podcast was moderated by Jenny Munday, PhD, MPH, Program Director of SDSU’s Global Campus Public Health Programs, Graduate Advisor, and Lecturer. Dr. Munday brings her background in public health, health policy research, and teaching to the air. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the School of Population and Public Health at the University of British Columbia; she earned a PhD from the Joint Doctoral Program at UCSD/SDSU in Public Health with a focus on Health Behavior/Preventive Medicine; and she earned a MPH from The George Washington University in Public Health with a focus on Health Policy.

2nd year, Public Health Major

Ella Barone

Hi! My name is Ella Barone and I am a second year Public Health major at SDSU. I am from Orange County, California and have always had an interest in studying the overall health of communities and looking for ways to improve accessibility to modern medicine. My main interests regarding Public Health are overdose and mental health awareness, addressing health disparities, and preventing / treating diseases. I am working towards my bachelors degree to then pursue Physician Assistant school. In my free time I love to read books, spend time with my friends, and listen to music! I am so excited to be working on a podcast to spread awareness on public health throughout the San Diego community.

1st year, MPH concentration in Epidemiology

Julianna Fassas

Hi! My name is Julianna, I'm a graduate student in the MPH program with a concentration in Epidemiology. I received a B.S. from UCSD in Physiology and Neuroscience in 2020, and have been working in Clinical Research since. My main interests are chronic disease prevention and mental health advocacy, especially in the San Diego community. This is my first year volunteering with the "If I Could Change One Thing" podcast, and I'm excited to work with a team of so many different backgrounds, experiences, and passions. I'm hoping to gain some new perspectives on all facets of public health, as well as share my own.

4th year, Major in Public Health

Rocio Flores

Rocio Flores is a second year Global Campus MPH student from the San Francisco Bay Area. Rocio's passion for public health and volunteering began during her undergraduate education in nutritional science and psychology. Since graduating, she has performed nutrition education for community clinics and non-profit work in mental health. She currently works for a local public health department in the communications team. She is excited to support the School of Public Health assisting in research for the If I Could Change One Thing Podcast. She spends her free time with her family and pets.

1st year, Public Health

Caroline Hubner

Hi! My name is Caroline Hubner and I am a first year Public Health major at SDSU with a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies. I am from Ventura, CA and am most interested in public health policy, justice, and advocacy. I hope to pursue a Master’s degree in Health Administration after graduation and I am really looking forward to running the social media for “If I Could Change One Thing!”

1st year, Public Health

Suhir Al Jairudi

My name is Suhir Al jairudi. I am a public health major at San Diego State University. I am very interested in separating mental health awareness from public health. This is my first year at "If I Could Change One Thing" and I am looking forward to learning new things from the people who will be invited to the podcast. In my free time, I like to read books and enjoy having time at the beach with family and friends.

5th year, Major in Health Communications

Isabella Oyola

Hi there! My name is Isabella Oyola, I'm a fifth year majoring in Health Communication with a minor in Sustainability. After graduating I plan on attending graduate school to get my Master's in Communication, focusing on the ways we communicate health surrounding food and doing research in food security, access to nutritious food, and policies that influence the food system. I joined the podcast team to learn more about the ins and outs of a podcast and to hear what professionals have to say about different topics. Super excited for this opportunity!

Hadeel Ali, 4th year, Public Health

Hello! My name is Hadeel Ali and I am a 4th-year public health student minoring in business management. I am interested in healthcare management and will be pursuing that career after graduating from SDSU by attending graduate school for an MPH in healthcare policy and management. This is my first year volunteering for the “If I Could Change One Thing” podcast and I am looking forward to contributing this semester!

Ronnel Casasola, 4th year, Major in Public Health

Hi everyone! My name is Ronnel Casasola and I am currently entering my 4th year at San Diego State University, majoring in Public Health. As of right now I am still finding my career choice which is one of the main reasons I joined the “If I Could Change One Thing” Podcast, in hopes of grasping new information to help me find my path. I am very excited to be a part of this team!

Joanna Conde, 2nd year in the Masters of Public Health Program, Concentration in Epidemiology

Hello, my name is Joanna and I am a second year graduate student pursuing my Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology here at SDSU. I’ve had prior experience working in the public health field after receiving my Bachelors of Science in Health Science: Community Health Education. I am excited to join the “If I Could Change One Thing” Podcast Team in hopes to expand to a wider audience discussing important public health/public policy topics.

Georgina David, 4th year, Public Health

Hello! I am currently a fourth-year majoring in Public Health and minoring in Women’s Studies and French. I plan on working in the field of women’s health, ideally with an emphasis on sexual health and sexual harassment and violence prevention. This is my second year volunteering with the public health podcast, “If I Could Change One Thing…” and I am truly excited to be part of a team that is dedicated to educating our communities and providing new ideas, perspectives, and health content!

Amber Davis, 4th year Public Health major
Hello! I am in my final year at SDSU studying Public Health. I plan to pursue health policy and management in graduate school because I am highly interested in hospital administration and health promotion within healthcare. This is my first year volunteering with the “If I Could Only Change One Thing…” public health podcast. I am excited to work with this group dedicated to spreading knowledge of health policy through open discussion with great guest speakers!

Alexa Joy Fernandez, Senior/4th year, Major in Biology
Hello! My name is Alexa Joy Fernandez and I am in my fourth year majoring in Biology with minors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Public Health. I am a born and raised San Diegan, so I am right at home while on campus. Currently, I am on a pre-medical track with the goal of being an M.D. or D.O., and I would also love to get a Master’s degree in Public Health Education. I am so excited to join the “If I Could Change One Thing” podcast team to gain a greater perspective on health policy and awareness!

Andy Huizar, Senior, Health Communication & Public Health
Hi everyone! My name is Andy Huizar and I am a fourth-year at SDSU majoring in Health Communication and minoring in Public Health. Through my studies, I have learned a lot within the complexities of our healthcare system, focusing a lot on doctor-patient relationships and ways we can improve quality of care. I am passionate for all-things health and look forward to pursuing a Master’s in Public Health and a career in health policy. When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me running on the weekends.

Maximiliano Mendez, 5th year Public Health Major
Hi everyone, My name is Max Mendez. I am in my final year here at San Diego State University. My short term goals is to get my Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in Infectious Disease/Epidemiology. My interests are in zoonotic disease and outbreak investigation so that is the career path I am choosing to take. This is my first time working with the “If I Could Change One Thing” podcast and I am looking forward to being involved in the production, promotional and research aspect of this series. Excited for this new journey!

Alexa Mercado, Sophomore, Public Health.
I’m a full-time student studying Public Health with some prior experience working with community members and organizations in San Diego. I joined the “If I Could Change One Thing” podcast in order to grow and learn more about public health while participating in a student-led health policy podcast.

Paige Mitchell, 4th Year, Public Health.
Hello! My name is Paige Mitchell, and I am a fourth-year student majoring in Public Health. After graduating from San Diego State, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in maternal and child health. One day I hope to use my educational background to serve in a rural community. Most of my time outside the classroom is spent at the pool, as I am also a student-athlete on the women’s swim and dive team. I’m excited to be a part of the team at the “If I Could Change One Thing” podcast and can’t wait to bring something new to our listeners!

Zamira Smith, 4th Year, Public health
Hi everyone! My name is Zamira Smith and I am a fourth-year student at SDSU. I am a Public Health major and am currently interested in public policy and maternal health issues in the US. I am very excited to be a part of the “If I Could Change One Thing” podcast team. I look forward to learning more about the public health field and being a part of the bigger conversation regarding our healthcare systems and policies.