Susan H. La graduated in June 2018 from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Biology and a minor in Sociology. While at the UCSD Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, she worked under the mentorship of Dr. Jamila K. Stockman and Kristin K. Gundersen as a Research Assistant. Her role in the iSTRIVE Research Lab included conducting focus group and interview transcriptions.

She also presented research at the Summer Undergraduate Research Conference August 2017 and at the Undergraduate Research Conference in May 2018. Her work in iSTRIVE  has influenced her perception of what research entails and its effects on marginalized and underserved populations. Working with iSTRIVE has opened her eyes to qualitative research and how listening to the experiences of women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) can inform research to help these populations. In order to bridge the gap in care, greater consideration and attention should be paid to the unique experiences and needs of at risk populations.