Graduation: Spring 2021
Research Interests: Latinx Mental Health, Access to Mental Health Treatment and Services, Power Imbalances in Health and Mental Health Care, and Health Care Ethics and Philosophy
Awards: Graduate Opportunities and Minority Achievement Program Dissertation Fellowship, and Magnuson Health Sciences Fellowship
Bianca’s professional interests lie within pursuing opportunities to work with administration on projects concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her qualitative dissertation research focuses on pathways for creating access to mental health treatment and services. Through an ecological lens, she examines how power imbalances within the larger environment impact the scope of work for social service providers and how that affects access pathways. As a social worker, she sees research as a tool for creating positive outcomes within Latinx communities and advocating for social change.
Over the past several years Bianca has taught courses and workshops in inclusive teaching practices, interprofessional education within health sciences departments, research methods, and introductory social work classes. In the future, she plans on continuing to teach these courses as well as any in social work history or ethics. Bianca teaches through analyzing power imbalances, focusing on respect for multiple perspectives and narratives, and creating opportunities for dialogue.
Bianca’s research is informed by her years of living and working in underserved communities. Her research and dissertation focus have received awards from the Graduate and Opportunities Minority Achievement Program as well as from the Magnuson Health Sciences at the University of Washington. Bianca plans on creating opportunities for relationship building with potential stakeholders in her community through her research, teaching, and commitment to service.
Email: baltamir@uw.edu