Our Team.
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Laura Smith Monti, Ph.D., is a Research Associate at the University of Arizona College of Public Health and a Senior Fellow at Borderlands Restoration Network in community health and cultural ecology, working with Indigenous communities on both sides of the border.
Her teaching and leadership in health and biocultural diversity has helped shape students, practitioners, researchers, initiatives, and organizations in the Southwest US and Northern Mexico for over twenty-five years. Her current practice as a nurse in community health includes the development of integrative healthcare with traditional healers and village health promoters and nurses, addressing Covid-19 recovery, diabetes management, food and water, and energy security.
Her work in cultural ecology supports young indigenous leaders’ initiatives to restore and protect coastal ecosystems and species, including mangroves, seagrasses, sea turtles, and medicinal plants. With a fellowship awarded by the Firebird Foundation, Laura is facilitating youth and elders to preserve and revitalize their ancient songs and stories that are infused with wisdom to guide their future.
Dr. Monti’s holds academic degrees from the University of Arizona (Ph.D. Arid Lands Resources Sciences, Medical Anthropology; St. Louis University N.P. Pediatrics; M.S. Community Health Nursing; Maryville College (B.S.,R.N.)

Dr. Laura Monti RN, NP, MPH
Program Director

Dr. Gary Nabhan, Biocultural Restoration Scientist
Program Advisor
Dr. Gary Nabhan is an agroecologist and biocultural restoration expert with 40 years of research, conservation and community development work in the Sonoran Desert and Sea of Cortes. He is a pioneer in community-based collaborative conservation and in reviving forgotten foods for local livelihoods. Nabhan retired from the University of ArizonA W.K. Kellogg Chair in February 2023 and is focused on garden design and creative natural history writing.

Dra. Carmen Gabriela Suárez Gracida
Program Associate
Gabriella graduated from the Center for Higher Studies of the State of Sonora (CESUES) with a degree of Engineer in Ecology. She has a Master's in Science Management, Use, and Preservation of Natural Resources. Her studies and professional work have been in the regions of the Baja California and Sonora Deserts and the Gulf of California in Northwestern México. Gabriela joined Salud Comcaac Program Team in 2021.
Community Health Team

Dr. Diego Franco
Medical Director Desemboque
​

Vilma Morales Astorga
Herbalist & Teacher
​
​
​

Luisa Guadalupe Romero Morales
Herbalist,
Nutrition Teacher
​
​
​

Mariana Cristina Molina Martínez
Herbalist,
Teacher
​
​
_JPG.jpg)
Belinda Flores Montano
Community Gardens & Program Leader

Dr. Omar Presiado
Medical Director
Punta Chueca
​

Francely Isabel García Morales
Health Promoter
Women’s Health, Community Health Program Coordinator

Betina Romero Morales
Herbalist,
Nutrition Teacher
​
​
​

Romelia Barnett Díaz
Program Leader
Nutrition & Community Gardens Herbalist

Omar Herrera Casanova
Health Promoter, Youth Health

Gemma Odette Torres Monroy
Health Promoter,
Community Health Advocate
​

Filomena Barnett Burgos
Herbalist,
Teacher
Community Health & Diabetes Program Coordinator

Ismael Blanco Montaño
Program Assistant
Coastal Ecosystems Team

Dra. Zulia Mayari Sánchez Mejia
Coastal Ecosystems Program Advisor, Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora-Obregón

Christian Anibal Silva Ontiveros
Field Research Assistant, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR)

Alberto Mellado Moreno
Community Relations & Program Leader
​

Erika Barnett Díaz
Project Coordinator,
Mangrove Nursery Manager

Ivan Eliseo Barnett Romero
Coastal Ecosystems Program Assistant & Technician