Katherine Garcia
She/Her/Hers
- Profile
- Education
- Research
- Fellowships/Grants/ Awards
Profile
Katherine Garcia was born in Lima, Peru and raised in Los Angeles, CA. She received her BA degrees in Ethnic Studies & Psychology from UC San Diego, and a Masters in Education with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling from San Diego State University, Community-Based Block program. As a first-generation college student herself, Katherine is committed to advancing first-generation students to reach higher education. Prior to joining the Education Studies department, Katherine worked for SDSU TRiO programs Upward Bound, Talent Search and Health Careers Opportunity Program, with students from middle school to college. Katherine currently serves as the UC San Diego School of Medicine PRIME Health Equity Coordinator working with diverse medical students, strengthening the university and high school partnerships and community engagement projects. Her professional experiences in supporting Latinx students in K-20 have contribute towards her research agenda to critically examining the Latinx career pathways into medicine. Katherine uses asset-based frameworks that centers Latinx students cultural assets and knowledge to center Latinx student experiences in higher education. Also, Katherine is committed to mentoring the next generation of Latinx physicians and has created the Latinx Premed Initiative with UCSD School of Medicine and collaborated with Latinx premeds on a culturally-responsive Latinx Premed Guide. Katherine was selected as a UC Pre-Professoriate Fellow, part of the new UC Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiative, for her research and service in advancing equity and inclusion. Katherine enjoys being engaged in community activism and spending time with her family.
Education
PhD Candidate – Education Studies Department
University of California, San Diego, expected graduation: June 2021
Masters of Arts, Education
San Diego State University, May 2009
Bachelor of Arts, Ethnic Studies and Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
University of California, San Diego, June 2007
Research
2019-present
Project Title: Sustaining Commitment – The Role of Graduate Medical Education (GME) for graduates of programs aimed at serving the underserved and diversifying the physician workforce.
PI: Lindia Willies-Jacobo, MD and Luis Castellanos, MD
2017-2018
Project Title: “Students We Share” a mixed-methods study on the academic outcomes and community resources of Latinx English Language students in the San Diego border region.
PI: Patricia Gandara, PhD
2016-2017
Project Title: Hispanic Serving Institutions San Diego Regional Analysis.
PI: Frances Contreras, PhD
Project Title: Sustaining Commitment – The Role of Graduate Medical Education (GME) for graduates of programs aimed at serving the underserved and diversifying the physician workforce.
PI: Lindia Willies-Jacobo, MD and Luis Castellanos, MD
2017-2018
Project Title: “Students We Share” a mixed-methods study on the academic outcomes and community resources of Latinx English Language students in the San Diego border region.
PI: Patricia Gandara, PhD
2016-2017
Project Title: Hispanic Serving Institutions San Diego Regional Analysis.
PI: Frances Contreras, PhD
Fellowships/Grants/ Awards
Grants 2019-2022
Title: Pathway to the UCSD Medical Hispanic Serving Institution, $20,000 (3y)
Funded by UC San Diego Office of Equity Diversity & Inclusion.
PI: Araneta, H, Rodriguez, N & Garcia, K.A
Fellowships
2020-2022 UC Hispanic-Serving Institutions President’s Pre-Professoriate Fellowship
2016-2017 UC Mexus Fellowship 2016 UCSD Competitive Edge Fellowship
Awards
2021 UC-HSI DDI Summer Writing Award
2019 UCSD Deans Fellowships Award
2018, 2017 UCSD Conference Travel Award
2018, 2017 UCSD Education Studies Department Summer Research Fellowships
2016 UCSD Cesar Chavez Staff Award
2015 Latino Medical Student Association Advisor Award
