Our Team
The people behind the work.
Every program, every pathway, every student served, made possible by a dedicated team of educators, clinicians, and community advocates.
Core Team
Leadership and Program Members
The architects of access: building bridges between education, community, and career.
Christopher Martija-Flores
Founder and Executive Director
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M.S. in Health Professions Education, Loma Linda University · Currently pursuing a PhD at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Teaches didactic, pre-clinical, and clinical dental hygiene at the university level.
Daniela M. Hernandez
Director of Strategic Educational Partnerships
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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education · B.A. in Liberal Studies, Cal State San Bernardino. Co-developed bilingual LCAP-aligned family engagement curriculum delivered across California.
Diego Rioseco
Senior Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
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Currently pursuing a B.S. in Finance. Leads institutional outreach and partnership development, rooted in the Imperial Valley.
Blanca Rodriguez
Elementary Education Program Specialist
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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Grand Canyon University (2021). Profile and bio coming soon.
Jessica Flores-Martija
Learning Experience and Curriculum Lead (Grades 6-12)
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M.A. in Teaching · B.A. in History, La Sierra University. Social Studies teacher at Redlands Unified School District, specializing in project-based and collaborative learning.
Francisco Rodriguez
Community and Institutional Engagement Coordinator
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B.S., UCLA. Profile and bio coming soon.
Subject Matter Experts
Experience earned in the clinic, the community, and the field.
Marc Long
Critical Care Nursing
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B.S. in Nursing, 2020. Involved as a teaching assistant during his undergraduate studies; now bridges ICU-level clinical expertise with health professions education.
Andrea Gargallo
Dental Assisting
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Dental Assistant Certification, American Career College (2022). Grounds dental assisting instruction in real operatory experience.
Diego Rioseco
Phlebotomy
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Phlebotomy Certificate, Pima Community College (2017). Brings first-hand experience navigating health career pathways in underserved communities to health professions education.
Christopher Martija-Flores
Dental Hygiene
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B.S. in Dental Hygiene, Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Teaches dental hygiene at the didactic, pre-clinical, and clinical levels.
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Dr. Cristina Ruelas
Occupational Therapy
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OTD, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences · B.A. in Psychology, La Sierra University. Extends clinical practice into education through caregiver training and faculty consultation.
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Dr. Marina Luna
Dental Medicine
Profile and bio coming soon.
Martija Institute for Health Professions Education 