Sara Perez, a Ph.D. student at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno’s School of Public Health, has been named ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s first recipient of the award. This award is part of a leadership program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which aims to cultivate innovators to promote healthy communities. The HPRS program supports doctoral students from underserved and underrepresented demographics and brings together students from various fields to apply their expertise to policies that advance equity and health.
Perez, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Community Health Sciences with a focus on Public Health and a minor in Biology, is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in Social and Behavioral Health.
“I am beyond thrilled to receive the HPRS award and to join this year's cohort of brilliant, driven researchers who share my passion for advancing health equity in our communities,” Perez said. “The HPRS program will allow me to explore my research interests, including worker health, underemployment, involuntary part-time work and labor policy.”
In her new role, Perez will contribute to evidence-based, equitable policy aimed at holding industries and employers accountable for providing stable work arrangements, livable wages and benefits. She plans to use an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses economics, social justice and public health to reshape labor policy and promote health equity.
Perez aims to understand how structural factors—such as inadequate enforcement of labor protection standards, de-unionization and precarious work arrangements—perpetuate cycles of harm among workers and their families. Through the HPRS award, she seeks to balance research and advocacy, using her findings to create deliverables, support advocacy efforts and offer policy recommendations to enhance the health, well-being and empowerment of the workforce.
Reflecting on her journey, Perez noted, “As someone who grew up in a rural, underserved town, these kinds of opportunities felt out of reach and nearly impossible. Yet, with the encouragement of my family, friends and mentors, I proved to myself that awards like this are possible for those from underserved backgrounds. This award will significantly enhance my doctoral training by connecting me with a diverse, interdisciplinary network of researchers, deepening my expertise in policy and facilitating meaningful change.”
Dean Muge Akpinar-Elci of the School of Public Health praised Perez’s accomplishments, saying, “Sara’s selection as the first HPRS awardee from ÁùºÏ±¦µä is a testament to her hard work and dedication. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and are excited to see the positive impact she will make in the field of public health.”
As the first recipient from ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Perez hopes to leverage this award not only for her personal and professional growth but also to address the health and wellness needs of communities in ÁùºÏ±¦µä and across the nation. Through her dedication to improving not only her own life but the lives of others through education and collaborative involvement, Perez truly embodies The Wolf Pack Way.
Learn more about Sara’s research by .
