Faculty & Staff

Clinical Faculty

Javier La Fontaine, DPM, MS, MEd: Professor, Dean, School of Podiatric Medicine; javier.lafontaine@utrgv.edu

Javier La Fontaine, DPM, MS, MEd

Javier La Fontaine, DPM, MS, MEd
Professor, Dean, School of Podiatric Medicine
Email: javier.lafontaine@utrgv.edu

Dr. Javier La Fontaine, UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine's inaugural dean, boasts a rich academic and healthcare background. Previously, he served as SOPM's associate dean of Academic Affairs, pivotal in securing candidacy from the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) and accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Before UTRGV, Dr. La Fontaine held critical roles at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, including professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery and Fellowship Director of Limb Preservation at Parkland Hospital. His expertise extends to Texas A&M University College of Medicine and Central Texas Veterans Medical Center, where he was chief of podiatric medicine. He contributed significantly at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) as associate professor of Orthopedics, division chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and residency program director at UTHSCSA and Bexar County Hospital.

Dr. La Fontaine's academic journey began at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, followed by a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (now Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine). He earned a Master's in Clinical Investigation from UTHSCSA (2006) and a Master's in Education from Liberty University (2021).

He is recognized for his expertise and holds board certifications from the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM).

Javier Cavazos, DPM, FACPM, RCPS (Glasgow): Assistant Professor, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; javier.cavazos1@utrgv.edu

Javier Cavazos, DPM, FACPM, RCPS (Glasgow)

Javier Cavazos, DPM, FACPM, RCPS (Glasgow)
Assistant Professor, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Email: javier.cavazos1@utrgv.edu

Dr. Javier Cavazos currently serves as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Prior to taking this role, he served as the inaugural Assistant Dean of Curriculum and Clinical Education. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame, and his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree from the Dr. William Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Dr. Cavazos completed his residency training at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio where he received specialized training in managing and treating the Diabetic Foot.

Dr. Cavazos, a native of the Rio Grande Valley, has firsthand knowledge of the devastating effects of diabetes on a community and is most proud of the positive impact his practice and patient care provided for the RGV during his twenty-five-year clinical career. Dr. Cavazos is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, serves on the Board of Directors for the American College of Podiatric Medicine (ACPM), and, in 2022, became the first Mexican-American podiatrist to serve as President for the College.

In 2020, Dr. Cavazos was honored to be inducted into the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Glasgow) and appointed as a Fellow of the Faculty.

Naohiro Shibuya, DPM, MS: Associate Dean of Research; naohiro.shibuya@utrgv.edu

Naohiro Shibuya, DPM, MS

Naohiro Shibuya, DPM, MS
Associate Dean of Research
Email: naohiro.shibuya@utrgv.edu

Dr. Shibuya earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from Temple University and Master of Science degree in clinical investigation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

He is an Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery and Chairperson of the Council of National Registry Management for the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS). Prior to UTRGV, he served as Chief of the Podiatry Section under Surgical Services at Central Texas VA Health Care System, where he also served as a member of the Podiatric Surgical Advisory Board for the National Surgery Office, National Podiatry Field Advisory Committee for the Office of Patient Care Services under Veterans Health Administration, Chief Podiatry Consultant for VISN 17, and VA Site Director for the Baylor Scott and White Residency Program.

Academically, he was a professor of surgery at Texas A&M University, College of Medicine prior to UTRGV, where he trained hundreds of students, residents, fellows, and colleagues. He served as a Director of the Continue Medical Education Committee for the Texas Podiatric Medical Association and Chair of the Annual Scientific Conference Committee for the ACFAS. He is also a faculty of AO North America.
In research, he specializes in health services research, epidemiology, and large data analysis, leading to over 100 peer-reviewed publications, textbook chapters, and consensus statements.
Clinically, he is a fellowship-trained, board-certified surgeon by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Foot, Rearfoot Reconstructive, and Ankle surgeries.

Tyreen Heybeck, DPM: Department Chair of Podiatric Medicine, Surgery, and Biomechanics & Assistant Professor of Medicine; tyreen.heybeck@utrgv.edu

Tyreen Heybeck, DPM

Tyreen Heybeck, DPM
Department Chair of Podiatric Medicine, Surgery, and Biomechanics & Assistant Professor of Medicine
Email: tyreen.heybeck@utrgv.edu

Dr. Heybeck obtained her Doctors of Podiatric of Medicine from Barry University in 2009. She then continued to do her residency training at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital. She moved to Houston, Texas, in 2012 to begin her professional career in private practice. She enjoys traveling and serving on medical mission trips and has been to the Yucatan Peninsula, Haiti, and Guatemala. When away from her patients, Dr. Heybeck enjoys spending time with her four kids and husband, traveling, crafting, and serving others in any way she can.

Gladys Bembo, DPM: Director of Clinical Education; gladys.bembo@utrgv.edu

Rosemay Michel, DPM: Clinical Associate Professor & Assistant Clinical Director; rosemay.michel@utrgv.edu

Rosemay Michel, DPM

Rosemay Michel, DPM
Clinical Associate Professor & Assistant Clinical Director
Email: rosemay.michel@utrgv.edu

Dr. Rosemay Michel obtained her Bachelor of Sciences at the University of Florida and her Doctorate of Podiatric Medicine at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in 1996. She completed a Podiatric Orthopedics and Surgical Residency at the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Colorado, a Fellowship in Podopediatric Surgery at North General Hospital in New York City, and a Diabetic Foot/Limb Salvage Fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She served as an Assistant Professor at UTHSCSA from 1999-2007, after which she accepted a position at the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center in North Carolina. She has been appointed Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Education at UTRGV since April 2023.

Monica Agarwal, DPM: Clinical Assistant Professor; monica.agarwal@utrgv.edu

Monica Agarwal, DPM

Monica Agarwal, DPM
Clinical Assistant Professor
Email: monica.agarwal@utrgv.edu

Dr. Agarwal is a foot and ankle surgeon/podiatric physician with more than 15 years of experience in treating the foot and ankle. She is certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. She graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey and received her doctorate from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine.

Dr. Agarwal completed a surgical residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. She specializes in conservative and surgical treatment for all foot and ankle pathologies. Dr. Agarwal is an Assistant Clinical Professor with UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine and enjoys educating students and residents. Prior to her appointment with UTRGV SOPM and UT Health, she worked for the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System for 15 years and played an active role in surgical residency education.

Dr. Agarwal serves on the Curriculum and Admissions Committee for the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine as part of her role as clinical faculty.

John Tassone, DPM: Assistant Professor; john.tassone@utrgv.edu

John Tassone, DPM

John Tassone, DPM
Assistant Professor
Email: john.tassone@utrgv.edu

Luis Venegas, DPM: Clinical Assistant Professor; luis.venegas1@utrgv.edu

Luis Venegas, DPM

Luis Venegas, DPM
Clinical Assistant Professor
Email: luis.venegas1@utrgv.edu

Dr. Venegas, who serves as Medical Director for the Wound Healing Center at Harlingen Medical Center, previously practiced in podiatry and wound care in Miami, Florida, for four years. He is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatry and is a Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association.

Dr. Venegas completed a residency at a U.S. Veteran’s Administration hospital in New York, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Hospital, and a fellowship in foot care and surgery at New York Downtown Hospital and at foot clinics in New York. He graduated from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. Fluent in Spanish and English, he also attended Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico, where he met his wife, Jannette.

The son of Luis Ramon and Daisy Venegas of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Dr. Venegas was always interested in the biomechanics of the human body, including how it relates to athletics, and decided to pursue a career in medicine — despite coming from a family of engineers and business people.

However, two of his sons have decided to stick with engineering, with one working as an aerospace engineer in Florida after graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the other studying mechanical engineering at the University of Houston.

A third son is a senior in high school and recently became an Eagle Scout. Dr. Venegas and his wife, Jannette — who has been his medical office administrator for more than 20 years — decided to come to the Valley in search of a family-friendly environment after living in “the big cities” (New York and Miami) for several years.

Amanda L. Killeen, DPM: Assistant Professor

Basic Science Faculty

Reginald Adiele, PhD: Assistant Professor; reginald.adiele@utrgv.edu

Reginald Adiele, PhD

Reginald Adiele, PhD
Assistant Professor
Email: reginald.adiele@utrgv.edu

Dr. Reginald Adiele is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the College of Podiatric Medicine, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen, Texas. He is a graduate of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomedical Sciences from the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, PE, Canada with a research focus on Mitochondrial Toxicology and Physiology. He completed his Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a Canada Institute of Health Research-Training in Health Research Using Synchrotron Techniques (CIHR-THRUST) Fellow at the Cameco Neuroscience Research Center, Saskatoon City Hospital, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada.

Dr. Adiele held several academic positions, including lecturer at the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Canada; Department of Public Health, Concordia University of Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Chemistry and Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada; Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Toronto, Mississauga, ON, Canada; Department of Forensic Sciences, Arizona State University, AZ, USA; Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Western Veterinary College, University of Saskatchewan, SK, Canada and Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Texas RGV.

Dr. Adiele’s research is focused on molecular, biochemical, cellular, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic defects in inflammatory, demyelinating, neurodegenerative diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS), including Multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson Disease (PD), and other Brain Disorders.

Hooman Mir, DPM, MSci, FAPWCA: Assistant Professor; hooman.mir@utrgv.edu

Hooman Mir, DPM, MSci, FAPWCA

Hooman Mir, DPM, MSci, FAPWCA
Assistant Professor
Email: hooman.mir@utrgv.edu

Dr. Hooman Mir, DPM, MSci, FAPWCA, is a DPM Physician with a Fellowship Board Certification in Wound Care. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Faculty Senator at UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine and recently completed the "Training To Teach In Medicine" program at Harvard School of Medicine. Dr. Mir graduated from the UT Pre-Med Program, obtained his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine Degree from Temple School of Podiatry Medicine, and completed his Surgical Internship Training at Mount Sinai Hospital. He has also acquired expertise in Clinical Investigation, Healthcare Policy, and Patient Safety.

Dr. Mir is notable as the first DPM Physician to receive full NIH Tuition Reimbursement for his Physician-Master's Degree in Clinical Investigation at UT Health Science Center. He is an International Medical Lecturer and Physician-Consultant, delivering lectures and conducting workshops globally. His research interests encompass Diabetic Patient Education, Simulation Medicine Application, and Diabetic Wound Care management. Based in Austin, he enjoys hobbies such as BBQ cooking, swimming, GoPro travel photography, and cinema. He divides his time between Austin, San Diego, NYC (Brooklyn), Tehran, and London.

Hafizur Rahman, PhD: Assistant Professor; hafizur.rahman@utrgv.edu

Hafizur Rahman, PhD

Hafizur Rahman, PhD
Assistant Professor
Email: hafizur.rahman@utrgv.edu

Dr. Hafizur Rahman is an Assistant Professor in the School of Podiatric Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Before joining UTRGV, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and M.S. in Ocean and Mechanical Engineering from Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Rahman is the director and Principal Investigator of the Applied Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity (ABLE) laboratory. His research aims to improve mobility, functional independence, walking performance, and quality of life in patients with foot and ankle deformities, using advanced gait biomechanical analysis, finite element modeling, musculoskeletal modeling and simulation, and variability analysis.

His current research is supported by the University of Texas Rising STARs grant, UTRGV Faculty Seed Research grant, and UTRGV Start-up grant. Previously, he received several grants as PI, including VA SPiRE grant, NASA Nebraska Space Mini grant, and a University of Nebraska Research Collaboration Initiative grant.

Claudia Biguetti, PhD: Assistant Professor; claudia.biguetti@utrgv.edu

Claudia Biguetti, PhD

Claudia Biguetti, PhD
Assistant Professor
Email: claudia.biguetti@utrgv.edu

Dr. Claudia Biguetti received her D.D.S. from the University Sagrado Coração (Brazil) in 2012. From 2012-2018, Dr. Biguetti trained to be a researcher in the field of osteoimmunology and biomaterials, receiving her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 2014 and 2018, respectively, from the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). In the meantime, she also worked as a clinician and as a basic sciences adjunct faculty for health professions courses in private and public higher education institutions and Health-related institutions in Brazil.

To further pursue her research and higher education career, Dr. Biguetti relocated to the US in 2020 to perform her postdoctoral studies in Biomedical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. In June of 2022, Dr. Biguetti joined the School of Podiatric Medicine at UTRGV as an Assistant Professor, where she is also a Principal Investigator for the Research Lab of Regenerative Medicine. Her Research Lab focuses on understanding immunomodulatory mechanisms related to successful bone healing and integration of biomaterials. Her long-term goal is to translate bench findings into more predictable treatments for patients who are susceptible to impaired tissue healing.

Hagner da Silva Andrade, MD: Clinical Assistant Professor; hagner.andrade@utrgv.edu

Hagner da Silva Andrade, MD

Hagner da Silva Andrade, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Email: hagner.andrade@utrgv.edu

Dr. Hagner Andrade obtained his MD in 2003 in Brazil. He completed his Residency in General Surgery in 2006 and Plastic Surgery in 2016. In the meantime, he worked as a clinician in public and private healthcare.

That experience has contributed to his holistic view as a physician. In 2018, he joined a Master's program at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo (Brazil), where he had the opportunity to combine his medical and illustration skills to develop a Plastic Surgery Atlas on Cleft Lip and Palate.

In June 2022, he joined the School of Podiatric Medicine at UTRGV as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, where he teaches Clinical Skills and other subjects in the Basic Sciences Curriculum.

Othman Ghribi, PhD: Professor; othman.ghribi@utrgv.edu

Othman Ghribi, PhD

Othman Ghribi, PhD
Professor
Email: othman.ghribi@utrgv.edu

Dr. Ghribi obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology from the University of René Descartes, Paris, France, in 1994, worked as a Clinical Pharmacologist at Ville-Evrard Hospital, France (1994-1996), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Quebec, Canada (1996-1999). He joined the Department of Pathology at the University of Virginia as Research Assistant Professor (1999-2004) before accepting a tenure track position at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences (2004-2020), where he was promoted to Full Professor of Biomedical Sciences in 2016. In February 2021, Dr. Ghribi joined Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine as Professor of Pharmacology and accepted a position of Professor of Pharmacology with tenure in March 2022 at the School of Podiatric Medicine at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Dr. Ghribi is a passionate educator who contributed to developing graduate and medical curriculums, directed several courses, and mentored several Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D. students. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Gamble Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research or Creative Activity and Service, the Thomas J. Clifford Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Research, and the Outstanding Instructor Award for medical student teaching.

Nitin Vishwakarma, PhD: Assistant Professor; nitin.vishwakarma@utrgv.edu

Yahan Wei, PhD: Assistant Professor; yahan.wei@utrgv.edu

Podiatric Medicine & Surgery Community Faculty

Jose Ayala, DPM: jose.ayala@utrgv.edu

Jose Ayala, DPM

Jose Ayala, DPM
Email: jose.ayala@utrgv.edu

Sandra Blanco, DPM: sandra.blanco@utrgv.edu

Sandra Blanco, DPM

Sandra Blanco, DPM
Email: sandra.blanco@utrgv.edu

Joseph Bender, DPM: joseph.bender@utrgv.edu

Joseph Bender, DPM

Joseph Bender, DPM
Email: joseph.bender@utrgv.edu

Joseph Caporusso, DPM: joseph.caporusso@utrgv.edu

Joseph Caporusso, DPM

Joseph Caporusso, DPM
Email: joseph.caporusso@utrgv.edu

Bryan Prukop, DPM: bryan.prukop@utrgv.edu

Bryan Prukop, DPM

Bryan Prukop, DPM
Email: bryan.prukop@utrgv.edu

John Gouin, DPM: john.gouin@utrgv.edu

John Gouin, DPM

John Gouin, DPM
Email: john.gouin@utrgv.edu

James Chadburn, DPM: james.chadburn@utrgv.edu

James Chadburn, DPM

James Chadburn, DPM
Email: james.chadburn@utrgv.edu

Staff

Gilbert Morin, MSHS, MBA: Director of Admissions, SOPM; gilbert.morin01@utrgv.edu

Gilbert Morin, MSHS, MBA

Gilbert Morin, MSHS, MBA
Director of Admissions, SOPM
Email: gilbert.morin01@utrgv.edu

Patricia Montemayor Garcia, MA: Director of Student Affairs, SOPM; patricia.montemayor@utrgv.edu

Patricia Montemayor Garcia, MA

Patricia Montemayor Garcia, MA
Director of Student Affairs, SOPM
Email: patricia.montemayor@utrgv.edu

Marlee Olivarez: Assistant Director of Financial Aid, SOPM; marlee.olivarez01@utrgv.edu

Marlee Olivarez

Marlee Olivarez
Assistant Director of Financial Aid, SOPM
Email: marlee.olivarez01@utrgv.edu

Xavier "Angelo" Peixoto: Assistant Registrar, SOPM; xavier.peixoto01@utrgv.edu

Xavier "Angelo" Peixoto

Xavier "Angelo" Peixoto
Assistant Registrar, SOPM
Email: xavier.peixoto01@utrgv.edu

Veronica Villarreal, MS, LPC: Medical Education Evaluator & Assessment Manager, SOPM; vero.villarreal@utrgv.edu

Veronica Villarreal, MS, LPC

Veronica Villarreal, MS, LPC
Medical Education Evaluator & Assessment Manager, SOPM
Email: vero.villarreal@utrgv.edu

David Mendoza: Financial Manager & Administration, SOPM; david.mendoza@utrgv.edu

David Mendoza

David Mendoza
Financial Manager & Administration, SOPM
Email: david.mendoza@utrgv.edu

Rosalva Anzaldua: Administrative Associate, SOPM; rosalva.anzaldua01@utrgv.edu

Rosalva Anzaldua

Rosalva Anzaldua
Administrative Associate, SOPM
Email: rosalva.anzaldua01@utrgv.edu

Ernesto Guajardo: Course Coordinator, SOPM; ernesto.guajardo@utrgv.edu

Ernesto Guajardo

Ernesto Guajardo
Course Coordinator, SOPM
Email: ernesto.guajardo@utrgv.edu

Heribeto Manriquez: Medical Simulation Specialist, SOPM; heriberto.manriquez01@utrgv.edu

Heribeto Manriquez

Heribeto Manriquez
Medical Simulation Specialist, SOPM
Email: heriberto.manriquez01@utrgv.edu

Helen Castillo: Administrative Assistant I, SOPM; helen.castillo01@utrgv.edu

Helen Castillo

Helen Castillo
Administrative Assistant I, SOPM
Email: helen.castillo01@utrgv.edu

Luis Chavarria: Graduate Admissions Officer, SOPM; luis.chavarria01@utrgv.edu

Luis Chavarria

Luis Chavarria
Graduate Admissions Officer, SOPM
Email: luis.chavarria01@utrgv.edu

Patricia Gallegos: Office Assistant II, SOPM; patricia.gallegos@utrgv.edu

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Email: SOPM@utrgv.edu
Phone: 956-296-2024

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