Research spotlight: Ángela Gutiérrez, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Ángela Gutiérrez, Ph.D., M.P.H., is an assistant professor in the department of Social Medicine at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her expertise is in minority aging, health disparities and psychological risks and resources. Gutiérrez is also a member of the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, the Diabetes Institute and ADVANCE. Read more about her here.  

Why research is rewarding: 

For Gutiérrez, knowing that she is part of a collective effort trying to effect positive change is rewarding. She says that there is a need for more researchers to address health disparities and promote equity at local and national levels.  

The importance of her research:  

The research Gutiérrez conducts is important because health inequities affect physical health, mental health, accelerated aging, quality of life, overall well-being and many more dimensions of peoples’ lives. Since racial and ethnic minoritized populations and under-resourced groups experience a high burden of disease, Gutiérrez says it is critical to engage in health disparities research, community-based health efforts and policy that collectively works to reduce health disparities.  

Information on the cluster hire: 

Gutierrez is one of three faculty members hired by the Heritage College as part of a cluster hire focused on researching social determinants of health. Their overlapping interests allow them to work together on dynamic research and bring grant money to the university. Read more about the cluster hire here.