Dr. Alfonzo joined the faculty of the Ohio State Microbiology Department as an Assistant Professor last September. Originally from Venezuela, Dr. Alfonzo received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Microbiology from Indiana University. He continued with his post-doctoral training at UCLA before moving to Columbus.
Dr. Alfonzo’s work involves the study of trypanosomes, which are parasites responsible for millions of deaths worldwide, particularly in developing countries. He adds, “It is one of my goals to help attract and train highly qualified members of underrepresented minorities.”

Samuel Echevarría, Ph.D.

This year, the Ohio State School of Journalism and Communication welcomed a new faculty member, Dr. Ramirez. Born in a small barrio just outside of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Dr. Ramirez grew up in Chicago.
He received his B.A. and M.A. in Communication and Theater from the University of Illinois in Chicago where he spent two years working with the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES), a student recruitment and retention program designed for “at risk” students from inner city, low income schools.
After earning his Ph.D. in Communication at University of Arizona, Dr. Ramirez spent two years at University of Minnesota in Duluth before OSU.
“My research focuses on computer-mediated communication, particularly in the context of the development and maintenance of social and task relationships.”
Dr. Ramirez has greatly enjoyed his time here at OSU so far and the motivation of the students. He remarks, “I wanted to work with top-notch undergraduate and graduate students, and help to continue the development of an outstanding School of Journalism and Communication. Those were my eventual goals when I left graduate school, and OSU was a place to realize them.”

Yolanda Zepeda, Ph.D.

Juan D. Alfonzo, Ph.D.

The Ohio State Department of Sociology welcomed Dr. Echevarría as a new faculty member last August. A native of Brownsville, Texas/Matamoros, Mexico on the southernmost tip of the Texas/Mexico border, Dr. Echevarría received his BA (1997), MA (2000) and Ph.D. (2003) in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. In contrast, Dr. Echevarría also spent a couple of years in “El Barrio,” the Puerto Rican community of Manhattan, New York City.
Since he and his wife Diane and two sons, Daniel, age 2 ½, and Elijah, age 6 weeks, moved to Columbus, Dr. Echevarría has enjoyed interacting with faculty, staff, and students both in his classes and beyond.
“One could not ask for a warmer reception from the university community than the one my family and I have enjoyed! The fall was beautiful, but coming from Texas, my family and I could not have been prepared for this winter’s snowy display.”

Artemio Ramirez, Jr., Ph.D.

Last November, the Ohio State graduate school welcomed Dr. Zepeda as the new Director of Enrichment Programs. She received her MA in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University where she focused on language and pedagogy as they relate to class and culture, particularly for Mexican American children. During her doctoral studies in sociology at Indiana University, she examined racial and class segregation in public schools.
Although she hails from South Texas, she also spent time in Germany and the deep South before moving to the Midwest for graduate school. For Dr. Zepeda and her eight year old pit bull, Tiggie, were drawn not only to the climate of the Midwest but to the climate of OSU.
“While I always enjoy seeing my family, enjoying the food and music of my home, the more temperate climate of the Midwest makes it easier to catch that return flight.”
Dr. Zepeda mentions one final secret on her Ohio State experience so far: “The first time in my life that ever actually watched a football game was when I watched (on TV) the Buckeyes beat Michigan… I never imagined anything could move me to watch football but then again, I’d never experienced OSU football before.”