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Arely Tellez
Arely Tellez
Arely Tellez (she/her) is a bilingual healthcare professional with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Bioethics from Loyola University Chicago, as well as a Medical Assistant Certificate from the National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement. She currently serves as a Community Health Worker at the University of Illinois Chicago, where she supports the implementation of the NIH-funded PROTECT study, a clinical trial aimed at improving oral health outcomes among children through family-centered interventions. Arely brings extensive experience in community health outreach, public health response, and clinical support, including work during the COVID-19 pandemic and global health outreach in Guatemala. She is passionate about health equity, culturally responsive care, and patient advocacy, with a continued commitment to serving underserved communities through research and practice. Outside of her professional work, Arely is a dedicated Latin dancer with over six years of experience.
Kai Mora Penaloza
Kai Mora Penaloza (he/him) is a Community Health Worker with over four years of experience in community organizing, health education, and advocacy across Chicago. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and Latin American Studies from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2025. Kai currently serves as a Community Health Worker at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he supports the implementation of the NIH-funded PROTECT study, bringing community perspectives and lived experience into family-centered health research. Prior to joining PROTECT, he worked alongside grassroots organizations, including the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and Organized Communities Against Deportation (OCAD), advancing immigrant rights and supporting underserved communities. He also worked in educational programming focused on improving academic outcomes for Black and Brown youth. Grounded in both lived experience and professional practice, Kai is passionate about building genuine relationships, advancing health equity, and ensuring that community voices shape research, care, and lasting change.
Meet our Clinical Research Coordinator
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