About the
National Kissing Bug Alliance
Our Purpose
Advocating awareness of identifying and treating Chagas Disease.
Our Mission
Advocating for patients of Chagas Disease and their families by presenting awareness of this neglected disease to the general population. By offering identification, affected families will experience a higher and more positive quality of life by having access to professional and experienced providers.
Message from board member, J Kent Burklow
“Given the advanced medical awareness via today’s social media and internet access, Chagas disease has tended to stay under the radar for most. The cute name of the “Kissing Bug Disease’ denotes a potentially lifelong infection which is anything but cute. The goal of the Alliance is to enhance awareness for healthcare professionals by providing educational resources for patients, and real time access to knowledgeable physicians experienced in the management of patients with Chagas disease.”
Board Members
Janeice Marshall Smith
MS Education Director/Founder The National Kissing Bug Alliance Chagas Disease Survivor and Infectious Disease Advocate janeice.chagas@gmail.com
Gregory Lamar Smith
Retired Deputy Alachua County Sheriff's Office Gainesville Florida Community Outreach and Chagas Disease Advocate kissingbuginfo.chagas@gmail.com
Norman Lawrence Beatty, MD
Medical Director and Advisor University of Florida Assistant Professor of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine University of Florida, College of Medicine
Colin Forsyth. PHD, M.P.H.
Research and Data Use Lead at Management Sciences for Health, Medical Anthropologist and Epidemiologist, Chagas and Infectious Disease Research, and Global Medicine
J Kent Burklow
Experienced and credentialed in compliance and governance of nonprofits and Foundations Currently Executive and Board Member of Pharma Research and Development Firm Trained Bench Chemist, Toxicology, and Pharmacology
Medical and Educational Contributors
Faith Williams
University of Florida | College of Medicine Division of Hematology & Oncology Clinical Research Coordinator I Biochemistry B.S.
Nelson Luque
Community Engagement Specialist
Rodrigo F. Alcala Arana
University of Florida | College of Medicine IDGM Clinical Research Coordinator II | UF Chagas Research Project | CPT Microbiology & Cell Sciences B.S.
Active Learning Program Interns - University of Florida Interns offer fresh knowledge, creativity, and insight while immersing with a passion for research and advocacy of Chagas Disease.
Asude Ertas
University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Undergraduate Student in Biology Spring, 2024
Laura Cumper
University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences/ Undergraduate Student / Biology and Psychology
Fall, 2024
Jacquelyn Lancet
University of Florida , College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Undergraduate Student in Microbiology and Cell Science Spring, 2024
Sofia Marquina
University of Florida, Pre-Medical Student/ Microbiology and Cell Sciences and Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
Fall, 2024
Elizabeth Hernandez
University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions/Undergraduate Student in Health Science
Summer, 2024
Christine Leigh
University of Florida, College of Public Health and Health Professions/Undergraduate Student in Health Science
Summer, 2024
Message from ALP Intern, Sofia Marquina:
“I am deeply passionate about unraveling how diseases impact individuals at both systemic and neurological levels. My hands-on experience in a microbiology lab and my work as a medical assistant and certified nursing assistant have given me a unique perspective on the urgent health challenges our communities face, such as Chagas disease. I am driven to bridge the gap between microbiological and neurological insights, exploring how diseases like Chagas affect individuals holistically. I am especially focused on addressing the significant research gaps in Chagas disease diagnosis and treatment, as highlighted in recent studies and my personal experience, and on enhancing awareness and education among healthcare providers and communities. By leveraging my academic background and unwavering dedication, my goal is to advance my research skills and contribute to developing innovative solutions and strategies that improve diagnostics, treatment, and public health education for Chagas disease, ultimately working to alleviate its impact on vulnerable populations.”