Sarah Rodriguez received her Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from Florida International University (FIU) and her Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Human Nutrition from Nova Southeastern University. Her work centers on prevention-focused public health research, health systems, and access to care, with experience in community-based research and health education in chronic disease prevention and disability health, including autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Alongside her academic training, Sarah’s time at FIU helped shape her interests in community-engaged, prevention-focused public health research. Through faculty mentorship and access to collaborative research opportunities, she contributed to multiple projects, including first-author work. Her experiences with the charity Living Hungry also provided opportunities to engage in community-based public health and policy-focused initiatives related to chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and health education. Sarah also contributed to community health and research efforts through the FIU Embrace Center for Inclusive Communities and the Florida Department of Health’s Preventive Services in Miami-Dade County. She is interested in translating research into practical strategies that improve health outcomes and expand access to care at the community level.