Rebecca Martinez (she/her/ella) is a Staff Researcher at UC Merced's HOPe Lab. She earned her BA in Public Health from UC Merced in 2021 and her Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Services from the University of Southern California in 2024. Born and raised in California's Central Valley, Rebecca has a deep-rooted passion for serving her community.

Rebecca has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, advocating for healthcare access for undocumented and underserved communities. Her background includes advocacy, organizing, community engagement, program planning, and implementation.

As a member of Power California, Rebecca participated in their inaugural Power Advocate cohort, contributing to the 2024 policy agenda that addresses critical housing barriers for young Californians.

Additionally, Rebecca interns at the Iris Cantor Women's Health Education and Research Center, where she trains and works alongside promotoras to highlight the environmental effects on women's reproductive health. Her experience and upbringing fuel her passion for working towards a California where everyone is housed, healthy, and thriving.