Biography

Paula is an incoming master’s student in Sociology at UCF. She holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Medical Sociology and a Spanish for Healthcare Professionals Certificate from the University of Central Florida. She currently serves as the Research coordinator of the SWAN Lab, a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the STRIVE Lab and the Violence Against Women Cluster (VAWC).

Paula aspires to attend medical school and is passionate about studying trauma and helping individuals overcome such experiences. In recent years, she has been an advocate for ending disparities faced by underserved communities and expanding their access to education and opportunities.

Her goal as a future physician is to serve as a role model of resilience, perseverance, and hard work for future generations. Passionate about health equity and community-based care, she aims to advance research and advocacy at the intersection of medicine, public health, and sociology, underserved communities.