Eric Hatungimana, Postdoctoral Associate, Animal and Veterinary Sciences (ASCI)
Dr. Eric Hatungimana is a postdoctoral associate and will be working on sustainable intensification of forage-based dairy farms through improved forages and feeding, under the supervision of ASCI Associate Professor Sabrina Greenwood. His research project aims at managing forages to maximize economic and environmental gains as well as agronomic productivity of dairy farms in the northeast U.S.
Hatungimana was born and raised in Rwanda, a country of a thousand hills located in the heart of Africa. He received his Ph.D. in agricultural sciences with a focus on dairy nutrition from the University of New Hampshire in 2020, with the dissertation on the preservation and utilization of wet brewers grains in diets of dairy heifers. He received a Master of Science in Animal Sciences from the University of Arkansas in 2010, and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences from the former National University of Rwanda.
Hatungimana has been working as a lecturer at the University of Rwanda (UR), College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), Department of Animal Production, where he taught different courses related to animal nutrition, feeds and feeding to both undergraduate and graduate students. He conducted research evaluating the effect of hydroponically produced forages on growth and milk production performance of dairy cows. Hatungimana has been also conducting consultancy activities assessing the current status of research development and innovation among animal feed processors in Rwanda, and trained formal feed processors in feed formulation using modern computer programs in support of the National Industrial Research and Development Agency in Rwanda (NIRDA).
UVM Extension Bridges to Health Program
Jahdea Clare, Community Health Worker II
Jahdea Clare is a community health worker for who supports migrant workers, especially Jamaican H2A workers, across the state as a part of the Bridges to Health team.
She was born and raised in the Blue Mountains of Portland, Jamaica. Clare holds a master’s degree in international relations from the University of West Indies.
Joanne Delaney, Program and Staff Support
Joanne Delaney is excited to work with Bridges to Health in a programmatic support role at the St. Albans office. When she first moved to Vermont, Delaney remembers thinking that (Extension) would be a great place for her to work one day.
Delaney holds a BFA in painting from UMass Amherst, has been an administrator at a level III residential care facility for seniors, has had her own businesses, developed an after-school art program for grade students, and has worked as an administrative assistant/office manager for eight years. She enjoys traveling and created the opportunity to travel the USA and western Canada for 14 months with her husband Doug. She has also visited Europe and Argentina.
Delaney enjoys horseback riding/bike riding with her husband, and alpine skiing with her son Nathan who will be a freshman at UVM fall of 2022. Her family is completed with their American Eskimo dog Kimba and APA horse Bonnie. Delaney passions are art, horses, and spirituality, followed by gardening, hiking, skiing, and enjoying nature. She is currently developing her intuitive art rendering skills as well as training with her horse to compete in competitive trail rides.
Evaristo Guiterrez Treminio, Community Health Worker I
Evaristo Gutierrez Treminio is a community health worker for Bridges to Health in Washington, Lamoille, Orange and northern Windsor counties. He is proud to be from Nicaragua. Before becoming a CHW, he worked as a tour guide and an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in Nicaragua, and as an ESL teacher in Vermont. Treminio also has experience serving as a Spanish/English interpreter for cultural exchanges, ecotourism experiences, and in health care settings. He is super excited to combine education and health on his new journey in this role.
Cecilia Hayes, Community Health Worker II
Cecilia Hayes supports migrant workers and their families in Franklin and Grand Isle counties by helping them access health care and social services. Prior to this role, Hayes worked as a bilingual support counselor for COVID Support VT, offering emotional support, promoting wellness and supporting Vermont’s Spanish-speaking Latinx community. Hayes is originally from Peru and graduated with a bachelors degree in social work from Champlain College.
Monica Pineda Hernandez, Community Health Worker II
Monica Pineda Hernandez serves as the Northeast Kingdom community health worker for Bridges to Health. In this role, she coordinates health care services and health education for Spanish and English-speaking migrant workers and their families. She grew up in Tlaxcala, Mexico and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University Benemrita in Puebla, Mexico. Hernandez is currently pursuing her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Northern Vermont University.
Julissa Vesely, Community Health Worker II
Julissa Vesely serves as the Central West community health worker for Bridges to Health. In this role, she coordinates health care services for Spanish speaking migrant farmworkers and their families in Chittenden and Addison counties as well as creates statewide programming to address health equity issues. Her expertise lies in navigating financial aid and health insurance for the migrant community and her interests include empowerment through health literacy and participatory action research. Being adopted from Guatemala, Vesely is committed to creating opportunities of independence for the Latinx community. She is currently studying to get her master’s degree in community development and applied economics from UVM.