Isabella White is one of our senior undergraduate research assistants at SHEIS Labs. During her time here at Ohio State she has been studying Biology with future aspirations of becoming an OB/GYN surgeon. She has utilized her Hispanic Heritage throughout her journey by applying the family values, empathy, and resilience she inherited from growing up in a Colombian-American household both inside and outside of the classroom. The sense of community she grew up knowing has empowered her in being aware of the need for diversity in not just research but medicine as a whole. She notes the growing issue that is health disparities affecting underrepresented communities and uses that as a motivator to pursue projects that make science more inclusive and accessible.
Isabella shared further what makes her proud of being part of the Hispanic community which is the deep sense of unity that she feels within it and she brings that with her in all that she does. This includes, celebrating her own accomplishments, but equally all those around her. Through the hardship of oftentimes being one of the few Latinas in certain academic/research spaces she has found resilience and a newfound sense of determination to represent her community and assist in opening up doors for others. With the goal of entering the medical field specifically women’s health SHEIS labs aligns hand-in-hand with her values of representation, empowerment, and creating a space for women in both science and healthcare. She ensures to lead with kindness and collaboration while partaking in research as she knows there is power in supporting those around you. To the future research and healthcare world, Isabella shares the importance of seeking out mentors who believe in you and always knowing your voice matters! She also reminds us of the vital need for more Hispanic representation in healthcare and research so never forget you belong in this space. As Bella continues with her senior year, pursuing her future in healthcare, and continuing her research here with SHEIS Labs she shares with us her gratefulness for the chance to learn, grow, and represent her culture in spaces where the Hispanic community’s voice is only growing louder. She hopes that the next generation of Latina scientists and physicians will see themselves reflected in all spaces of leadership including research.
Chiara Petrazzulo-Leiva is one of our undergraduate research assistants at SHEIS Labs. She is an honors Biochemistry major with a Pharmaceutical Sciences minor. Currently she’s on the pre-medical track with aspirations to become a Naval Medical Officer, specifically in Anesthesiology. She has a passion for bridging the gap between molecular research and patient centered care. Starting in high school and throughout college, she has been one of only Latinas in her STEM (stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classes. At times, being one of the only Latinas in the class has felt isolated, but she has grown to see it as a source of strength and motivation rather than discouragement. With being “one of the only” in the room she’s excited to see the day that’s not the case. She also finds that her heritage is constantly pushing her to work hard and keep opening doors for the next generation of Latinas in STEM. Her heritage has always fueled the commitment to have representation in science and medicine, especially within her own communities, that can get overlooked.
When it comes to research, Chiara also has a biochemical research background accompanied by SHEIS Labs. Throughout these experiences she’s had the opportunity to contribute to studies that aim to serve underrepresented population in medicine and SHEIS focuses on women particularly. Getting to work on our current study, SPARK has deepened her understanding that the future of research must be inclusive, both gender-specific, and culturally aware. Her Latina background reminds her that to bridge the gaps in research means you not only have to include women but also ensure that studies reflect diverse cultural, genetic, and social contexts.
One of the biggest barriers that she’s faced has been overlooked or underestimated in academic spaces. At times, she’s had to work twice as hard to prove her capability and earn the same recognition as others in the same space. Despite the challenges, having those experiences has made her more resilient, confident, and determined to keep going and ensure that others like her are seen and valued from the start. Chiara is proud to be part of the Latina culture that takes immense pride in hard work and perseverance. Having this mindset has shaped how she approaches everything from classes to research, with dedication and purpose. Her community’s values have inspired her to set high academic and career goals and to pursue them with the same determination she’s seen modeled throughout her whole life.
Chiara was drawn to SHEIS Labs because of its welcoming and inclusive space with representation across the board. As a Latina in STEM finding a lab that values diversity, collaboration and women’s voice in science have been incredibly meaningful. With her identity helping her to connect deeply with the SHEIS goal to uplift underrepresented perspectives and ensuring that the research we do reflects all women.
When asked about advice she would give anybody in her community when moving through research and healthcare she gave three answers:
“You got this! Don’t be afraid to be the first (of many, let’s hope!) it means you’re opening doors for others. “
“Remember that you deserve to be where you are, and your perspective is needed.”
“Keep showing up, keep learning, and never underestimate the power of your presence in these spaces.”
This past week out Newsletter team has interview three women with Hispanic Heritage. The first one is Dr. Andréa Salcedo who is Gynecologist. The other two are our undergraduate research assistants Chiara Petrazzuolo-Leiva and Isabella White. To read about each of them you can use the links below and get to know their journey as women and as someone with a hispanic background.
Dr. Andréa Salcedo, a proud Claremont local, is a Mexican American mom of three who brings a vibrant bicultural perspective to everything she does. With deep roots in the Southwest and a strong connection to her heritage, she’s passionate about keeping culture alive, especially through language. For her, speaking Spanish isn’t just communication, it’s a way to stay connected, empower communities, and celebrate where she comes from. For Dr. Salcedo, women’s health is not only deeply personal but also critically misunderstood. By reframing menstrual disorders through a metabolic lens, Dr. Salcedo challenges long standing gaps in how reproductive health is understood and treated, especially for women of color.
When asked about the most promising and urgent areas of research in lifestyle medicine for gynecological and metabolic conditions, Dr. Andréa Salcedo pointed to the critical need to understand the metabolic roots of women’s health issues. She highlighted that many gynecological diseases, often misunderstood as purely hormonal, stem from insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. By advancing research in what she calls “metabolic gynecology,” Dr. Salcedo hopes to shift treatment away from symptom management like birth control or surgery, and toward addressing underlying metabolic dysfunction, offering women more effective and empowering care options. In today’s AI-driven world, Dr. Salcedo stresses the need for doctors to focus on root causes to offer truly personalized care. “90% of my patients already come in with solutions they found online usually through AI tools like ChatGPT,” she explains. “They’ll say, ‘I don’t like that solution. What else do you have for me?’” Her metabolic gynecology approach helps uncover the inflammatory and metabolic triggers behind gynecological issues, allowing for tailored treatment beyond just “in-between” fixes like medication or surgery. This method not only fills critical gaps in culturally responsive care but also empowers Hispanic women by addressing the true source of their symptoms.
Dr. Salcedo empowers underserved women by teaching the physiology behind their symptoms. She explains that conditions like heavy bleeding or irregular periods often stem from hyperinsulinemia and chronic inflammation, which disrupt the hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis. By linking insulin resistance and stress related ovulation suppression to systemic challenges like weathering, she helps women, especially women of color, understand their reproductive health in context. This knowledge gives patients the tools to make informed, empowered decisions about their care. Dr. Salcedo’s clinical work aligns closely with research efforts like those at SHE IS Lab, as she continues to explore the deeper metabolic and inflammatory roots of gynecological disease. “It’s not just about a ketogenic diet,” she explains. “It’s about identifying the exact inflammatory trigger.” Her current projects include studying how exosomes, tiny cell byproducts, may contribute to uterine fibroid growth, investigating the link between visceral fat and fibroid burden, and developing a vitamin A trial for endometriosis, which she sees as deeply connected to gut health, immune response, and even trauma. Her research bridges lifestyle medicine with cutting-edge science, always grounded in finding root cause solutions for women’s health. Dr. Salcedo sees a critical need for deeper collaboration between research and clinical care when it comes to trauma-informed gynecology. “There’s a huge correlation between women who’ve experienced trauma and the development of endometriosis,” she notes. She advocates for integrating therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) into treatment for chronic pelvic pain and calls for more research that centers trauma as a key driver of inflammation and disease, especially in Hispanic women. Bridging these gaps, she says, is essential to providing holistic, culturally responsive care. When it comes to low-carb nutrition in Hispanic communities, Dr. Salcedo focuses on reframing rather than restricting. “Our ancestors made tortillas by hand, they didn’t come in a 200-pack from Costco,” she says. She encourages patients to honor their cultural foods, but also to recognize how modern food systems have changed what and how we eat. Her goal: help patients reconnect with traditional ways of eating that were more nourishing, balanced, and rooted in intention.
Dr. Salcedo encourages young Hispanic women, and other women of color pursuing healthcare or science to find their community early. “Find your tribe, people who look like you, who share your values,” she says. Whether it’s a student group, professional organization, or online network, surrounding yourself with like-minded women of color can provide the support, inspiration, and resilience needed to thrive in spaces where you might not always feel seen. “You don’t have to do it alone,” she adds. “There’s power in community.”
