Biography

Paula Martínez de Pinillos is a Research Coordinator at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, where she supports research in the Sc2ience LAB. She previously served as a post-baccalaureate research assistant in the STRIVE Lab and the Violence Against Women Cluster (VAWC), contributing to research on trauma, mental health, intimate partner violence, and health disparities. She earned both her B.S. in Biology, with a minor in Medical Sociology and a Certificate in Spanish for Healthcare Professionals, and her M.A. in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida.

Paula’s research focuses on mental health disparities, trauma, and the social determinants of health, particularly among underserved and historically marginalized populations. Her work examines how trauma, migration, intimate partner violence, substance use, and structural inequities shape health outcomes and healthcare access, with the goal of informing equitable, culturally responsive interventions.

As an aspiring physician-scientist, Paula is passionate about translating research into meaningful change for the communities she serves. She aims to advance research and advocacy at the intersection of medicine, public health, sociology, and underserved communities. Through integrating clinical care, research, and community engagement, she hopes to improve health outcomes while serving as a role model of resilience, compassion, and lifelong service.