Faculty & Staff

Irene has been with UTMB for 20+ years and joined the Infection Control & Healthcare Epidemiology team in 2024. She performs the administrative functions for the department.

Email: imgalici@utmb.edu
Phone: (409) 772-3192

Femi is a dedicated public health professional with over nine years of experience in hospital settings. He has more than one year of specialized experience in infection prevention and joined UTMB in 2025. He holds a Master of Public Health from Purdue University, with a concentration in Family & Community Health and Environmental Health. He brings a strong commitment to patient safety, health education, and community wellness, leveraging both clinical and public health expertise to improve healthcare outcomes.

Email: omakinye@utmb.edu

Phone: (409) 772-0467

Email: alebenav@utmb.edu

Phone: (832) 632-7611

Email: macavana@utmb.edu

Phone: (409) 772-0481

Shanique is an experienced Epidemiologist with four years in the field. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in 2018, Master of Public Health in 2022, and Doctorate in Public Health in 2026, complemented by a Certification in Infection Control. Currently, she serves as an Infection Preventionist specializing in high level disinfection and sterilization, applying her expertise to enhance public health outcomes.

Email: sdessuma@utmb.edu

Phone: (409) 266-1927

Haley joined the Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology team in 2024 and is supporting the John Sealy Hospital within the Galveston Campus. In addition to having 5 years of Infection Prevention and Control experience in the hospital setting, she has completed her Master's in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology as well as earned her Certification in Infection Prevention and Control.

Email: hlgallag@UTMB.EDU

Phone: (409) 772-5539

O'Shaunna has been with Infection Control & Healthcare Epidemiology since 2005. She is the Supervisor for the Regional Campuses

Email: osgriffi@utmb.edu
Phone: (409) 772-0467
Pager: (409) 645-5962

Donya has more than five+ years of professional experience in public health and epidemiology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health in 2019, Master of Public Health in 2021, and Master of Healthcare Administration in 2023. She joined UTMB Health in 2026 as an Infection Preventionist. Her work focuses on improving healthcare quality, patient safety, and health outcomes through evidence-based public health and infection prevention practices.

Email: djguyton@utmb.edu

Phone: (409) 772-2901

Email: chclee@UTMB.EDU

Phone: (409) 772-0468

Ellen has been with Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology since 2019 and is currently providing infection prevention support at the League City campus.

Email: qiuli@utmb.edu
Phone: (832) 505-0600

Mischelle Rios has 18+ years of service at UTMB with 13 of those being in Infection Control & Healthcare Epidemiology.

Mischelle serves as the Data Management Specialist for the department.  She is responsible for Public Health Reporting, manages hand hygiene forms and data distribution, and assists with HAI surveillance.

E-mail: mirios@utmb.edu
Phone: (409) 772-5535

Rachel has 4+ years of experience in Infection Prevention.  Rachel joined ICHE in 2023 is currently covering the Angleton Danbury Campus, Biocontainment Unit and Ambulatory Care. She obtained her Certification in Infection Control in 2022. She has a background in public health with experience at the federal, state, and local levels. 

Email: raroby@utmb.edu

Phone: ADC (979) 319-3236

Mary joined UTMB in 2026 as an Infection Preventionist supporting Hospital Galveston on the Galveston campus. Prior to joining UTMB, she spent more than five years working in state agencies and higher education, with experience in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, research, and program management. She holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from UNT Health and has been CIC certified since 2021. Mary is committed to advancing evidence-based infection prevention practices and improving patient outcomes.

Email: metipton@utmb.edu

Phone: (409) 772-0469