Diego Ruiz

Name/Pronouns: Diego Ruiz (He/Him/His)

Major: Population Health

Mentor: Dr. Jake Greenberg, University College & Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Current Research Title: Fostering Ambitions: Understanding Barriers and Motivating Factors for Healthcare Careers at an HSI

Description: This project explores the systemic, social, and personal factors that influence students’ decisions to pursue careers in healthcare, with a focus on those from historically marginalized communities. Through qualitative data collection and analysis, I aim to identify both the structural barriers students face and the motivating forces that keep their ambitions alive, with the ultimate goal of informing better institutional support for future healthcare professionals at UNM and beyond.

When, how, why you got involved in research: I first heard about research when I entered college as something that could strengthen my resume, but I didn’t really understand what it involved or why it mattered. My curiosity led me to attend a URAD workshop during my first semester, which gave me a clearer picture of what research actually is and made it feel more accessible. Right after that, I began attending meetings with the UNM Child Health Research Grand Challenges team, where I was inspired by their conversations on public health and equity in healthcare. I searched for more hands-on experiences, and I eventually secured a research position through the NSF Center for Genetically Encoded Materials at the University of Minnesota, supported by UNM’s PREC grant. My different experiences have shown me that research is a tool not just for scientific advancement, but an agent to directly address the needs of communities.

Piece of advice: Titles and departments aren’t everything! What matters most is finding mentors who genuinely care about you and your growth. A supportive mentor will challenge you, listen to you, and make space for your voice, and that kind of mentorship will shape you far more than any impressive-sounding title or the "right" department ever could.