Research Faculty and Staff

Professor in the Family and Community Medicine Department at the Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso. She obtained a Master’s degree in Public Health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology. After completing her residency training in Family Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, she joined the faculty at TTUHSC El Paso.

She has strong clinical and research expertise with research interests in cancer early detection and prevention, health disparities, program implementation, patient education, and shared patient decision-making. She is the Project Director of multiple CPRIT-funded programs developed to improve breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer screening and prevent HPV-associated cancers. In addition, as PD and Co-PD on several CPRIT-funded cancer prevention grants serving El Paso and West Texas, she has built on prior groundwork to grow collaborations with many community organizations and programs to promote cancer prevention in the region.

She currently serves as the Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Director for Cancer Prevention and Control in the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine’s Center for Emphasis in Cancer.

Education

• MBBS University of Benin Medical School, Nigeria (2002)
• P.H., School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (2007)

Honors

• 2016-Present Fellow, American Academy of Family Physicians
• 2013-Date Best Doctors of America Recognition 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• 2013 Clerkship Teaching Award. Department of Family and Community Medicine, TTUHSC/ FSOM
• 2010 Department of Family Medicine Award for Outstanding Research and Scholarly Activity. Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis Minnesota
• 2010 Eldon Berglund Award for academic excellence, clinical competence, educational commitment and professional demeanor, Department of family medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis Minnesota
• 2004 Health Equity Award, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Minnesota
• 2004 James L. Craig Fellowship in Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Minnesota

Pracheta Matharasi is a dedicated public health professional with more than 12 years of experience advancing community health through community-based participatory research and strategic collaborations. Her work is centered on implementing evidence-based initiatives that improve health outcomes and promote health equity. During her time at TTUHSC El Paso, she has served in a variety of operational roles that support the department's mission and institutional goals. She has extensive experience in managing grant portfolios, coordinating project activities, and overseeing financial and administrative processes with high standards of regulatory compliance. With a strong commitment to advancing public health, she supports innovative research and community-engaged programs that strengthen and improve population health and advance the mission of TTUHSC El Paso

Sarai Martinez earned her Master of Science in Health Administration from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She has more than 10 years of experience with the Department of Family and Community Medicine Research Division at Texas Tech Health El Paso, where she has held a variety of roles supporting research, program administration, and community health initiatives.

Throughout her career, Sarai has contributed to several community-based programs, including serving as an Outreach Worker for the BEST Program and the Time to Get Vaccinated Program. She also served as a Research Aide on an NIH project focused on increasing colorectal cancer screening. Sarai currently oversees the Southwest Coalition for Colorectal Cancer Screening (SuCCCeS) program, dedicated to increasing colorectal cancer screening rates through community outreach, education, and patient navigation across West and South Texas.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Sarai enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, and watching movies.