Alexandra Fernandez DeSoto, MPH is a Research Project Coordinator in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health. Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at the University of California, San Diego, and her Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science from San Diego State University.

Currently, Alexandra works on several of Dr. Jamila K. Stockman’s studies, including LinkPositively and Women SHINE.

As an undergraduate student, Alexandra’s passion for helping marginalized communities and addressing healthcare inequalities began while working at a hospital as a Research Assistant. Prior to joining the iSTRIVE Research Lab, Alexandra worked to improve patients’ quality of health and connected them to care and support of a Behavioral Health Nurse who educated and empowered patients to take an active role in their own health. During her graduate career, she focused her research on mental health rehabilitation and recovery at a local non-profit organization where she conducted an impact evaluation.