Latinx Health Internship in Oaxaca
Natalia Deeb-Sossa
Chicano/a Studies
Natalia Deeb-Sossa was born in Bogotá, Colombia and came to the U.S. in 1995 to continue with her graduate studies and escape the Colombian violence, which at that time was shaped by the growing drug trade. She was finishing her degree in economics when the number of kidnaps, extortions, intimidations, and murders became grotesque and unprecedented, even for Colombian standards. These observations of violence eventually brought her to sociology as a field of study. Now she is a Professor in the University of California at Davis’ Chicana/o Studies Department. Supported by the 2022 Chancellor’s Fellowship for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, and other grants Natalia is conducting new research in which she is documenting the strategies used by activists in the US and Mexico that might support women’s reproductive rights and how do they coordinate assistance for women who want to safely end pregnancies. This is a community-engaged project in partnership with Centro Las Libres. Using a feminist critical discourse analysis Deeb-Sossa and partners will examine how abortion and reproductive justice is being framed and if the needs of minoritized women/people are being highlighted in this outlining.
A Message to Students and Parents
I am a political refugee from Colombia, who came to the US in 1995. I am an interdisciplinary and transnational Chicana feminist health scholar, schooled and trained in sociology. My research areas include gender, race/ethnicity and class, and how they influence reproductive justice and reproductive health, community politics, cultural citizenship, and social justice. My work focuses on the actions and interactions of health-care professionals, the social and cultural effects of medical practice, the experiences of patients as they access health care, and how farm workers and community-based immigrant-rights organizations define “justice” and “inequity,” build community, negotiate power, and engage in activism. I am very honored and humbled to oversee this cross-cultural program. My commitment is to provide students with a nourishing and rigorous academic and cultural program. I will be available 24/7 to address any issues that arise, and I look forward to celebrating the successes of our students, many of whom might be interested in being health care providers, social workers, public health scholars and practitioners as well as teachers."
Monica Torreiro-Casal
Chicano/a Studies
Mónica Torreiro-Casal holds a Ph.D. in Counselling Psychology from Northeastern University, Boston, MA and a MFT (Marriage and Family therapist master’s degree) with Latinx mental health emphasis from Santa Clara University, CA. She works as Lecturer for the Chicana/o department at UC Davis, CA where she teaches classes with a mental health emphasis developed by her mentor Professor Flores. Her research, clinical and teaching interests include Latinx and Immigrant Community Mental Health, Feminist Chicanx Psychology and Minority Qualitative Research. She conducts research on immigration and mental health and mentors students on their research projects and academic journeys to contribute to their professional development.
A Message to Students and Parents
Mónica was born in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain where she studied her undergraduate in Psychology before moving to live in The Netherlands. She migrated to the USA where she has lived in Boston, MA and Bay Area, CA. As a trained psychologist, she has worked in community mental health settings and university counseling services (domestic violence, addictions, LGBTQIA, immigrants, school settings). Mónica’s clinical emphasis at UC Davis as post doctoral fellow psychologist focused on AB540 and undocumented students on campus. I consider a fundamental component of students’ academic development to expose themselves to other cultures and professionals from other countries. These international experiences contribute to their growth to become professionals with a global vision and unique set of skills.
I am interested in being part of this program because of the classes offered, the excellent caring professionals involved in the program and the field experiences available for students. I also enjoy working with students and provide guidance, support and help them to adapt and adjust to new situations. Mónica speaks four different languages and enjoys traveling, eating food from all around the world, music, dancing, biking, swimming and spending time with family. Mónica has a 15 year old son and lives with her brother, nephew (10) and niece (16). I have been in Mexico on numerous occasions and I am familiar with their culture, traditions and hospitality. As a Spanish speaker, I will be happy to help students with their language acquisition and anything that is needed to make their experience a positive one"