Virginia Chaidez Associate Professor
Ph.D., Nutrition, Designated Emphasis in International and Community Nutrition, University of California, Davis, 2009
B.S., Foods and Nutrition, San Diego State University, 1999
Dr. Chaidez is a registered dietitian with expertise in public health, nutrition and health disparities. She collaborates across disciplines to conduct qualitative and quantitative research to enhance understanding of health disparities affecting the Latino population in the US, including obesity, diabetes, and developmental disabilities.
Her current research focuses on use of Community Health Workers (CHW) to inform best practices for their role in promoting community health and wellness and informing how best to support, evaluate, and grow a sustainable CHW workforce. This work will tie into future research projects that will address health disparities including obesity, diabetes, cervical cancer, and mental health among marginalized populations.