Based in San Diego, California, Natalia Cruz-Vespa is a Research Assistant in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. Her work focuses on adolescents and other vulnerable populations at risk for behavioral and health outcomes related to substance use disorder. By informing tailored interventions, she seeks to reduce health disparities and improve prevention and long-term recovery for communities disproportionately impacted by this chronic condition.

Natalia’s work includes a project exploring the impacts of cannabis and alcohol use on sleep in emerging adults. She also serves as a behavior technician for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, gaining valuable insight into the barriers faced by the autistic community in San Diego. These experiences have deepened her interest in systems-level approaches to addressing health inequities and strengthened her commitment to equitable care.

For Natalia, leadership means raising the voices of those who are often unheard. She draws inspiration from Malala Yousafzai: “I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”