Eduardo Santiago-Rodriguez

October 16, 2024

Despite growing up next to in poverty-stricken neighborhoods in Naranjito, Puerto Rico, Eduardo Santiago-Rodriguez was able to see the sincerity and beauty of the environments, people and culture—and he learned and important lesson:   “Great things can be done to help others with only giving your time.”   Motivated by his childhood experiences and family […]


Christina Olson

October 16, 2024

With a long-felt desire to study science and encouragement from her family, it was not a shock when Christina Olson earned a neuroscience degree in college.   However, her interest in public health came as a surprise.   When a close supervisor and mentor encouraged her to “sit at that table” and pursue public health, […]


Brianda Alcazar

October 16, 2024

Brianda Alcazar, a California native who attended kindergarten in Sonora, Mexico, grew up with an immigrant-life experience of dual cultures, languages, and traditions.   Alcazar is using this experience to identify with and help Latino immigrants.   With a passion for social work that capitalizes on her strong motivation and empathy for other people, Alcazar […]


Benjamin Aceves

October 16, 2024

Growing up in the mainly low-income, Latino areas of Baja, Calif., and Coahuila Mexico, Benjamin Aceves developed a compassion for his community.   He decided he wanted to help people get healthier.   So, not only did Aceves become his family’s first-ever college graduate with a degree in political science and German, he also earned […]


Beatriz Sosa Prado

October 16, 2024

Born in Mexico City, Beatriz Sosa Prado later immigrated with her family to Los Angeles.   Influenced by the many challenges that immigrants encounter once they come to the United States, Sosa Prado pursued educational degrees with aims of being an advocate for them.   Indeed, with the support of her family and husband, Sosa […]


Atenia Ruiz

October 16, 2024

Seeing how her migrant farm-worker parents labored diligently to improve their family’s lives in Las Vegas, Atenia Ruiz learned the value of hard work and dealing with adversity.   Now Ruiz, a first-generation Mexican-American who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, is pursuing a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis in epidemiology and […]


Alexandra Conde Toro

October 16, 2024

Alexandra Conde Toro has a heart for hearing and understanding people’s stories—characteristics she developed in her native Bayamón, Puerto Rico, a culture infused with the joy and encouragement of families, folk music, and stories.   Conde Toro uses her passion for her community to address health problems they suffer.   Conde Toto, who has a […]


Angela Gutierrez

October 16, 2024

Angela Gutierrez learned from her father to turn every barrier into an opportunity, and to acquire knowledge to improve her native community in Baldwin Park, Calif.   Inspired by his words—“If we do not have the knowledge, how can we change?”—Gutierrez earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and public health policy from the University of […]


Alicia Nunez

October 16, 2024

Born in Chula Vista, Calif., and raised in Tijuana, Mexico, Alicia Nunez experienced a unique bicultural, mestizo heritage.   Nunez wants to use this cultural experience to help improve Latino health.   With an attitude of “Si, se puede” (Yes, you can), Nunez earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in public […]