
Caban-Martinez Lab
Environmental and Occupational Health Research, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Firefighter Health and Safety, Cancer Control & Prevention, Biomonitoring, and Exposure Assessment
The Team
Dr. Caban-Martinez leads a highly collaborative, interdisplinary team of researchers in the area of environmental and occupational health with a focus on musculoskeletal disorders and occupational health disparties.


Alberto J. Caban-Martinez
Principal Investigator and Director
Dr. Caban-Martinez is an Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences in the Division of Environment and Public Health of the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He is the Director of the Musculoskeletal Disorders and Occupational Health Lab and Associate Director of the Miami Occupational Research Group (MORG).

Madeleine Sayre
Research Support Specialist
Madeleine M. Sayre, BCs, is a Research Support Specialist in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She graduated with a BS in Health & Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. Her work spans several studies focused on occupational health risks among U.S. firefighters, including those serving in volunteer fire departments and wildland firefighters.

Chelsea Kavanaugh
Sr. Research Associate 2
Chelsea Kavanaugh, MS, CHES, is a Research Associate in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BS in Health Services Administration and the University of Florida with an MS in Health Education and Behavior. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist, and her primary research interests are examining health behaviors among high-risk occupational groups such as emergency responders and developing interventions to target health behaviors and reduce risk for cancer and other chronic health conditions.

Anton Stremousov
Research Support Specialist
Mr. Stremousov earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Barry University, as well as a Master of Public Health from the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. His research interests include occupational and environmental health, exposure science, climate-sensitive health risks, and cancer prevention.

Lauren Smith
Research Support Specialist
Lauren Smith is a Research Support Specialist in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the University of Central Arkansas, and a Master of Professional Science (MPS) in Marine Conservation from the University of Miami. She is the project lead for the DISPEL to HABs study, investigating harmful algal bloom (HAB) dynamics, microcystin concentrations, and links to human health.

Hao Fu
PhD Student - Epidemiology
Hao Fu is a PhD student in Epidemiology at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. She earned a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from Columbia University and a Master of Public Health in Toxicology from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Her research interests focus on occupational and environmental health, firefighter health risks, toxicology, and cancer epidemiology.

José M. Cunill Flores
PhD Student - Environmental Science & Policy
José M. Cunill-Flores, B.Eng., is a fellow at the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy (RSMAS, University of Miami). He holds a B.Eng. in Forestry Restoration from Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (Mexico) and completed graduate studies in Tropical Ecology and in Environmental Engineering & Technology. José’s research centers on wildfires, the fate and transport of released contaminants, and their implications for exposure science, public health, and environmental policy.

Lauren Lehnert
Undergraduate Researcher
Lauren Lehnert is an Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. She is a Chemistry major with minors in Biology and Psychology on the Pre-Vet Track. She is responsible for sample processing and analysis in the Fox Lab for the F2IRE Study, ECHOS Study, THERMAL Study, and Electric Vehicle Study. Ms. Lehnert works with the DISPEL team to address pet exposure to cyanotoxins and transmission to owners.