Lani Alcazar is a program manager for Brighter Bites in Houston. After obtaining her undergraduate degree in microbiology from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Lani advanced her scientific skill set by working as a research assistant in the school’s Department of Biology. Lani developed a passion for community work after 10+ years as an English/Spanish volunteer translator for a nonprofit clinic in El Paso. Switching her career path from basic science to public health, Lani obtained her master’s degree in public health and epidemiology from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston (UTHSC) in 2014.

Lani is passionate about nutrition, maternal and child health, and working in the community. In 2015, she helped conduct Photovoice, a community-based research project displayed in photographs. The findings from this project were published in the peer-reviewed journal Appetite. Lani enjoys traveling, cooking, trying new foods, and learning about other cultures.