HACU workshop highlights need for Latinos to seek careers in Health Disparities Research

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) recently offered university students in Puerto Rico the opportunity to learn more about how they can help fill the need for more health disparities researchers.

Approximately 18 students attended a training workshop on Hispanic Health Disparities Research Careers at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Cayey on Oct. 31 - Nov 1, 2014.   

Ray Garza, Ph.D., professor of psychology at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), highlighted health issues that disproportionately affect the Hispanic community and underlined the need for more university students to pursue research careers to address these disparities. 

At a public session, keynote speaker Eloy Rodriguez, Ph.D., James A. Perkins Endowed Professor of Natural Medicinal Chemistry & Medical Ethnobotany & Chemical Ecology of Cornell University, presented on his own wide-ranging research to engage the audience in several interactive case studies. Workshop participants also had the opportunity to hear from three UPR Cayey alums pursuing doctoral programs in health disparities research. They spoke about careers and their research.

The workshop, funded through a Cooperative Agreement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HACU, was coordinated by Ray Garza of UTSA in partnership with Robert Ross, Ph.D., of the UPR Cayey, who provided local coordination at the host campus.

The HACU workshop is the latest in a series of university workshops offered to address the underrepresentation of Hispanics in health disparities research careers.

Photo courtesy of Ray Garza and Robert Ross.