Graduate Ambassador

I chose public health because I wanted to address the underlying conditions that influence health before they become crises. My career began in prevention and health education, where I worked as a Certified Prevention Specialist focusing on youth alcohol and drug prevention, substance misuse education, and community-based health promotion. Those experiences reinforced that meaningful improvements in health require more than clinical care—they require prevention, education, community partnerships, and systems-level change. Today, as a DrPH student, my work has expanded to maternal and child health, community violence, and maternal mortality research. Public health has given me the opportunity to combine research, community engagement, education, and policy to better understand the complex factors that contribute to violence and health inequities. I am passionate about translating research into evidence-informed policies and community-driven solutions that strengthen health systems, improve outcomes, and ultimately prevent violence before it occurs.

I chose the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health because of its commitment to community-engaged research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparing public health leaders to translate evidence into practice. As someone passionate about maternal and child health and violence prevention, I was especially drawn to the University of Arizona because it is one of the few universities in the country that offers a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. The program provides a unique opportunity to pursue doctoral training that aligns directly with my professional goals while engaging in meaningful research, teaching, and community partnerships. Since joining MEZCOPH, I have had the opportunity to grow as a researcher while collaborating the Pima County Fatality Review Committee, and state partners to advance violence prevention efforts. My work focuses on maternal mortality and community violence, where I contribute to identifying opportunities for systems improvement, informing evidence-based policy and practice, and strengthening cross-sector collaborations. These experiences have reinforced my commitment to translating research into meaningful action that advances violence prevention and improves the health and well-being of Arizona communities.

Community health; maternal and child health; violence prevention; domestic and intimate partner violence; maternal mortality; community-based participatory research; health policy; implementation science; health equity; injury prevention; patient and community advocacy