Master of Public Health- Epidemiology Track 2022

Doctoral Student in Health Behavior Research at Keck School of Medicine of USC

What made you interested in your field or area of study (bioethics and health humanities, clinical science, public/population health, rehabilitation sciences, etc.)?

During my MPH's Applied practice Experience course, I was able to collaborate and learn from various institutions research opportunities. During this time I learned various qualitative research skills and became very interested to explore the field of Health Behavior. Being able to incorporate my training in Epidemiology and Medical Anthropology into my current field of study, I am able to enhance my training and explore more my interest in cancer health disparities.

What does being Hispanic mean to you?

For me being Hispanic is about the unique culture, "la cultura Hispana". From the many dishes across our regions, the dances, music, customs, to the "familia" style of care. Being Salvadorian, we have our unique things but I can relate with many other Latin American countries with our share cultural things. Additionally, these connections I am able to incorporate in my research training, as I talk with community members and patients to have a deeper conversations and understand barriers we are facing. This connection is the beauty of being Hispanic and represent many of the aspect of Hispanic Heritage Month.

SPPH program and current year- 2nd year MPH-Epidemiology

What made you interested in your field or area of study (bioethics and health humanities, clinical science, public/population health, rehabilitation sciences, etc.)?

I became interested in public/population health just by beginning to notice the health disparities and inequities that existed in my own community. Learning the role epidemiology plays in prevention, and the impact interventions can have on the health of a community is what drew me to pursuing a career in public health.

What does being Hispanic (Latino/a/x) mean to you? AND/OR What does serving the Hispanic (Latino/a/x) community mean to you?-

Serving the Hispanic community to me means being able to bring awareness to health topics or inequalities in my own community that my fellow Hispanics may not understand or may be too afraid to ask about. Informing individuals in my own community about topics that can lead them to live healthier and longer lives is a very important goal of mine.

 

 

Business Coordinator for SPPH

What does being Hispanic (Latino/a/x) mean to you? AND/OR What does serving the Hispanic (Latino/a/x) community mean to you?

For me being Hispanic means to be proud of where my family came from, the hardships they endured so that my father and then myself and my siblings could have the opportunities we had growing up. Talking about my culture and the things that my grandparents taught me that I now try to instill in my own daughter is how I serve my community so that I can keep my culture alive and show how great it is to be Hispanic.

UTMB SPPH Master in Public Health, 2020. Residency in Aerospace Medicine, 2021

Your current job/position - UTMB/NASA Flight Surgeon

What made you interested in your field or area of study (bioethics and health humanities, clinical science, public/population health, rehabilitation sciences, etc.)?

I wanted to support human exploration in space through Preventive and Aerospace Medicine. I enjoy playing a direct role in the wellbeing of our astronauts.

What does being Hispanic mean to you?

To me, being Hispanic means belonging to a culture that values close family ties and solidarity among the various Spanish-speaking nations and their neighbors.

Department of Population Health and Health Disparities

What is your area of research and/or what do you teach?

Research on aging and health of Mexican and U.S. Hispanic populations using a wide socioeconomic and life course perspective   

What does being Hispanic (Latino/a/x) mean to you? AND/OR What does serving the Hispanic (Latino/a/x) community mean to you?

I was born and raised in Mexico, a college graduate from a public (free) University in Mexico. I enjoyed the double privilege of having Mexican and Chinese parents and coming from a long line of hard-working global migrants. Thus, as a Mexican living in the United States, I am keenly aware of the responsibility I have to contribute positively to the diverse society in which I live, and to honor the culture and country of my origin. This may sound ‘corny’ but I really go back to this responsibility when I face professional setbacks and when I celebrate accomplishments. To me, ‘giving back’ is the central meaning of being Hispanic.