TAMIU Center to Counter Human Trafficking

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Mixed Reality and Healthcare Practice:
Local Innovations in Human Trafficking Response

An initiative to help equip Laredo’s healthcare community with practical tools to identify and address human trafficking in their practice is the focus of a one-day conference, “Mixed Reality and Healthcare Practice: Local Innovations in Human Trafficking Response” on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Student Center Ballroom.

Among Conference highlights are an overview of human trafficking and common misconceptions about it; insights from research conducted by the CCHT grant about the forms of sex and labor trafficking common in South Texas; a guide to local resources available for trafficking survivors, and trauma-informed strategies for providing comprehensive community support.

Conference Highlights

• Location: TAMIU Student Center Ballroom (STC 203)
• Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
• Topics:
  • Understanding Human Trafficking in Healthcare: Identifying Victims & Indicators
  • Implementing Trauma Informed Care in Healthcare Settings
  • Mixed Reality (MR) Session – ER Scenario: Recognizing Trafficking Cases & Using PEARR
  • Policy Development: Creating Institutional Protocols for Human Trafficking Response
  • Multi-Agency Panel: Cases Resources, Documentation & Law Enforcement Collaboration
  • Expert Panel: Clinical Experience & Healthcare Collaboration in Human Trafficking Response

View Full Agenda

Speakers

Crystal Sepulveda

Lived Expert

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Ummra Hang

Lived Expert

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Dr. Claudia San Miguel
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Professor of Criminal Justice

Researches criminal justice, securing significant grant funding.

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Dr. Ariadne Gonzalez
Associate Provost
Associate Professor of Communications

Studies identity, immigration, and labor.

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Dr. Nilda Garcia
Assistant Professor of Political Science

Examines organized crime and drug trafficking.

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Dr. Marcus Ynalvez
Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Sociology

Focuses on science, health, and mentoring.

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Dr. Isaac Kimmel
Associate Researcher for the Center to Counter Human Trafficking

Studies sociology, media, and political communication.

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Dr. Aziz Rahman
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Center to Counter Human Trafficking

Researches immigration, violence, policing, and terrorism.

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Manuel Guillen Jr.
Program Manager for the Center to Counter Human Trafficking

Research education, leadership, and human development.

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Crystal Vasquez
CCHT Graduate Research Assistant

Studying cognition, neuroscience, and inclusive education.

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Sarah Martinez
CCHT Graduate Research Assistant

Focused on executive function in learning and human rights advocacy.

Full Bio Here

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