OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Maria Mendez serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, specializing in Public Health while also fulfilling the role of Community Outreach Program Director. In this capacity, Maria manages the work-study program in collaboration with Cristo Rey OKC High School. Additionally, Maria holds the position of Postdoctoral Researcher at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and is the President and Founder of the Oklahoma Policy Engagement Network, dedicated to enhancing information exchange between STEM professionals and lawmakers. Previous experience includes research roles and a Doctoral candidacy at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where Maria focused on metabolic inflexibility related to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Maria earned a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a Bachelor's Degree in Nutritional Sciences-Dietetics from Oklahoma State University.