Scholar Profile

Erika Zúñiga of Salinas, California, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Studies from Santa Clara University in 2007 and a Master of Public Health (MPH) from University of San Francisco in 2011. Erika has over a decade of experience in delivering self-management workshops for people living with chronic conditions and developing strategic partnerships to meet the needs of diverse communities. Erika took a deep dive into research during her MPH program with the Examen Tu Salud pilot program, a brief digital health intervention that provided daily text messages and weekly peer health coaching for Latina students ages 18 to 29 by Latina MPH students. Developing a health coaching guide and providing peer-to-peer health coaching are skills that she has gained as a facilitator for self-management programs. With her new knowledge and research skills, she seeks to advance inclusive research to address the needs of young Latinas with culturally tailored health interventions to improve their long-term health and prevent chronic conditions.