iTHRIV Voices in Clinical Translational Science Seminar Series: “Engineering Equity: A Journey Across Disciplines”

Rupa Valdez, PhD

The Voices in Clinical and Translational Science Seminar Series is designed to lift underrepresented voices in research across the iTHRIV partnership. The series focuses on promoting dialogue and encouraging team science. It is designed to amplify diverse perspectives in clinical and translational research, and in doing so, foster innovation and an inclusive environment.

In the Voices seminar on August 29, Rupa Valdez, PhD, is presenting “Engineering Equity: A Journey Across Disciplines.”

Dr. Valdez is an associate professor at the University of Virginia with joint appointments in the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. She is also a core faculty member of Global Studies and the Disability Studies Initiative. Dr. Valdez merges the disciplines of human factors engineering, health informatics, and cultural anthropology to understand and support the ways in which people manage health at home and in the community. Her research and teaching focus on underserved populations, including populations that are racial/ethnic minorities, are of low socioeconomic status, or are living with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. Her work draws heavily on community engagement and has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Science Foundation, and the US Department of Agriculture, among others. She recently testified before Congress on the topic of health equity for the disability community and received the Jack A. Kraft Innovator Award from the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society for her pioneering work in creating and developing the subdiscipline of patient ergonomics.

iTHRIV hopes that attendees will use this series as an opportunity to listen more deeply to one another and to broaden their own research in the quest to improve the health of communities in Virginia and beyond.

Attendance is open to all; registration is required.

Register through the event link above or here. 

Filed Under: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Events, Research