INROADS has been a transformative journey for Yanela Espinoza, providing a platform to amplify her voice in the field of public health. The INROADS experience helped her cultivate meaningful connections and find mentors who have helped guide her professional path. Her roots and cultural background serve as a constant inspiration, propelling her towards success with the aspiration to be the representation her community lacks in the healthcare space.

“I want to serve as a voice for Latinos,” said Yanela. “I want the younger generation to see someone just like them who has accomplished great things and for them to know they can too.”

As a champion for Latinos in the field of Public Health, her mission is to bridge awareness gaps, particularly in language-accessible resources. She is inspired by the resilience of her parents, who overcame language barriers and numerous obstacles to secure opportunities in this country. She aspires to reassure Latinos that their voices matter and that they have an advocate ensuring their access to proper healthcare, irrespective of language or immigration status.

Through her involvement in research focused on maternal health, Yanela contributes to finding innovative solutions that address health disparities in our communities.