Research Associate Alum
Rebecca Martinez was a Staff Researcher at UC Merced's HOPe Lab. She earned her BA in Public Health from UC Merced in 2021 and her MPH in Health Policy and Services from the University of Southern California in 2024. Born and raised in California's Central Valley, Rebecca has a strong passion for serving her community.
Rebecca has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, advocating for healthcare access for undocumented and underserved communities. Her background includes advocacy, organizing, community engagement, program planning, and implementation. As part of Power California, she participated in the inaugural Power Advocate cohort, contributing to the 2024 policy agenda that addresses critical housing barriers for young Californians.
Rebecca interned at the Iris Cantor Women's Health Education and Research Center, where she trained and worked alongside promotoras to highlight the environmental effects on women's reproductive health. Her experience and upbringing fuel her passion for working toward a California where everyone is housed, healthy, and thriving.