Research Program
My research program seeks to understand how genetic and social factors are associated with adverse health within vulnerable populations in the United States. Additionally, I am interested in understanding how the social environment becomes embodied using tools and technologies within genetics and epigenetics. I conduct my research using a mixed-methods approach, employing theory and methods from genomics, sociocultural anthropology, biocultural anthropology, medical anthropology, public health, and epidemiology to contextualize health outcomes. My research and results are intended to be shared within the scientific community to broaden our understanding on these topics and used as leverage to advocate for basic human rights within public policy and grassroots organizing spaces.
Listed below are two projects relevant to the topics listed above. Click the title of each to learn more!
Title: The Latiné Immigration and Health Study (LIHS): A longitudinal study exploring immigration, embodiment, and health within Latiné immigrants in the United States
Project Description: Since January 2025, U.S.-based immigrants have experienced extremely adverse social conditions related to changes in the political climate. Such adverse experiences have been linked to the development of poor health. Understanding and addressing the impact of immigration-related adversity on the health of immigrants is essential for promoting health equity. This project investigates whether immigration-related stress and access to structural and social support are associated with mental health and biological aging among Latiné immigrants. This longitudinal study follows Latiné immigrants living in the United States who arrived on or after January 1, 2019. Using data collected at baseline and one year later, the study will investigate two questions: 1) Are there differences in health related to perceived stress associated with the current political climate? And 2) How does variation in access to structural and informal systems of support relate to differences in mental health and biological aging between baseline and follow-up? Overall, this research highlights the mechanisms by which social determinants of health are biologically embodied and identifies modifiable social factors and protective resources that can enhance wellbeing among marginalized peoples in the U.S.
Title: Noventa Millas: Genomics, migration history, and health disparities within Cuban Immigrants and Cuban-Americans in South Florida
Project Description: My dissertation sought to dispel the myth that Latinx people are a homogenous group through understanding how immigration histories and sociopolitics influence patterns of genomic diversity and health outcomes. For this project, I worked with my community of individuals of Cuban descent to understand these topics as it relates to their experiences (or their ancestors’ experiences) of immigrating from Cuba to the United States from the 1950s to the 2000s.