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Arely Perez loves to step outside her comfort zone.
In college, she studied and enjoyed kinesiology—the study of human movement—but wasn’t as familiar with how it translated to the health of the community.
So, as a graduate student at UT San Antonio, she got jobs in the labs of Drs. Meizi He and Zenong Yin, where she learned all about public health and coordinated studies of local programs to improve nutrition and reduce obesity in child care centers.
“I became passionate about improving people’s health, thanks to both Drs. He and Yin, who gave me great opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills,” Perez said.
Today Perez is applying her passion for health as a researcher at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
She helps coordinate the IHPR’s Redes En Acción national research network on Latino cancer funded by the National Cancer Institute.
She also serves as a patient navigator and helps coordinate a team of navigators who guide patients through the complex medical system and provide a variety of support.
“In this field, we are all essential. Everyone plays a role in trying to reach the same goal: Educate individuals who need it the most, especially minorities, to improve our community,” Perez said. “That’s what motivates me.”
She continues to leave her comfort zone to try new things.
“There’s so much you can accomplish and continue learning—presentations, outreach, grant writing and publications, coordinating,” she said. “It keeps you busy and at the same time you never stop learning.”
Editor’s Note: This story is part of the latest IHPR Noticas E-newsletter.
By The Numbers
25.1
percent
of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage
