Research Scientist
Florida International University
Dr. Hernandez has a passion for understanding the relationship between gut health, inflammation, and the prevention of chronic diseases. Her work focuses on understanding the bio-directional communication between the gut and organ systems in the body in a process called “Gut-organ axis”. In recent years, she has dedicated her research in investigating factors affecting gut integrity, gut microbiome, and inflammation in diverse populations, since the gut microbiome can influence the development of inflammatory processes and chronic diseases.
She has conducted scholarly research about gut health, inflammation, and substance use. In particular, she investigated the association between gut integrity damage, microbial translocation, immune activation, inflammation, and vitamin D status in cocaine users living with HIV. While she has a strong background in gut health, inflammation, and substance use, she has also engaged in other studies related to diet patterns and health outcomes in adults. Her current research in a NIH-funded clinical trial focuses on the effects of soluble corn fiber on gut integrity damage and bone-associated inflammation in children and adolescents. She takes a multidisciplinary approach to research using rigorous quantitative methods.
Dr. Hernandez is interested in continuing to contribute to the available evidence supporting lifestyle interventions, including dietary approaches to improve and even restore gut health and inflammation to prevent chronic diseases and health disparities among minority groups.