Amy Vazquez

Amy Vazquez is a first-generation Latina raised in the Bay Area and the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. Her lived experiences with environmental pollution, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare has shaped her understanding of structural inequality. These experiences ground her commitment to public health, environmental justice, and service.

She is currently a USDA, HACU intern with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), where she supports research on pathogen detection in food systems and animal health. This work strengthened her interest in how scientific research advances public health and disease prevention.

Amy’s work bridges science, policy, and health equity. Through the CDC Lewis Scholars Program at UCLA, she explored community trust and equity in public health systems. With the American Red Cross, she supported disaster preparedness and community outreach initiatives. At UC Berkeley, as a Latinxs and the Environment Fellow, she examined disability disparities among Latino construction workers, focusing on the intersections of environmental exposure, labor conditions, and healthcare access. She has also contributed to research on maternal health equity and reentry support for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Amy is involved in Haas Public Service Leaders, where she continues to develop her leadership in community-centered public service. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Masters in Public Health and attend medical school. She aspires to become a physician in the public sector focused on environmental health, reducing health disparities, and expanding equitable access to care.