Maren Fuentes Levin, MS

Tell us about yourself!

I am a Mexican immigrant, grew up in California, and the first to graduate college in my family. I'm married and have 2 teenage boys (!) and love to read and watch movies. I am a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and love most other fantasy and science fiction genres. My favorite place to relax is on a beach.

Why did you pursue a DrPH?

I had found myself at a crossroads in my career: continue my 15-year career in breast oncology research, or switch gears to autism advocacy. My mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, which convinced me to pursue a career in oncology research. However, at 3 years old, my son was diagnosed with moderate autism and severe communication deficits. Advocating for him this last decade, I learned the autism community has urgent needs. I want to challenge the current situation, not only for my son, but for other parents and individuals. I chose to return to school and continue my education, but this time in public health, as I learn the skills necessary to pursue my objectives.

What are you currently excited about in your job?

I'm in school full-time - excited to work on my degree!

If you could write a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

"The Courage to Fly: A Story of Resilience and the Beauty of Endurance"

What is something interesting about you that we should know?

My husband and I used to salsa dance way back in the day