Connections and Growth through Tiempo Juntos

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Ysabella Perez ('26) is a student in the College of Arts and Sciences interested in pursuing a career in medicine. Through the Penn Undergraduate Research Mentoring Program, Ysabella conducted research on the interplay between physical activity and cognitive health in older Latinos under the mentorship of Dr. Adriana Perez (School of Nursing).

Older Latinos experience a disproportionate burden of cognitive impairment. My interest in this field stems from my own connections to various aspects of the work, one of which includes my Mexican-Chilean-American background. My background fuels my interest to advocate for health disparities among marginalized communities, especially considering the lack of clinical trials involving ethnic minorities. Additionally, having witnessed firsthand the profound impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on loved ones, I was further driven to become involved in this research field.

Tiempo Juntos Por Nuestra Salud is a multilevel clinical research study that investigates the interplay between a physical activity intervention and cognitive, cardiovascular, and sleep health. The population consists of Spanish-speaking elders (55 years and older) residing in North Philadelphia and experiencing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).  My own pilot research study - derived as an extension of the Tiempo Juntos study - explored the effects of stress and trust among 23 Spanish language-dominant individuals. As part of this, I learned a lot about the process on how to conduct my own research, which was a challenging, but rewarding, experience.

The multifaceted nature of the research fostered a continuous learning environment, which is a component of my role that I enjoyed the most. Throughout my 10 weeks, I had the opportunity to develop diverse technical and transferable skills. Within my first week, I learned how to conduct the cognitive evaluations and the study’s data collection methods. Particularly, I found that I really enjoyed the field work aspect of the study, as it involved direct interaction with the participants and a chance to understand and relate to them on a more personal level. Being able to engage with the participants on a frequent basis has honed my ability to communicate more effectively and formally in Spanish as well as expand my vocabulary. Moreover, the interviews with the participants inadvertently revealed to me the cultural distinctions prevalent within the Hispanic community, broadening my understanding of the diversity within my own community.

The skills and experience that I have gained through my involvement with the Tiempo Juntos study has increased my understanding of the research landscape and ignited a motivation to continue my work with the team. As I move forward, I plan on remaining with the study so that I may continue to learn more and foster diverse skills. The value of these newfound skills extends beyond the confines of a single project, and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and using what I have learned. One of the skills I really look forward to continuing to use and grow upon is my Spanish proficiency and cultural competency. Spanish is something I will continue to use throughout my life in all settings, and my cultural understanding will undoubtedly be very important in my future career as a medical professional striving to promote inclusivity and reduce health disparities.

The opportunity to be a part of an amazing experience, and the connections I established along the way stand out as its most cherished aspect. My PI (Principal Investigator)/mentor has been very welcoming, encouraging a relationship in which I feel comfortable seeking her guidance and asking questions. The guidance and support I received from my supervisor from the start has been invaluable, and I was immediately welcomed by a team who shared cultural similarities yet possessed unique perspectives. This enabled me to learn all the different parts of the study very quickly, which made me more comfortable with conducting evaluations on my own and stepping out of my comfort zone. I look forward to seeing these relationships develop even further through my continued work with Tiempo Juntos. 

Beyond the confines of our research team, I was able to connect with the study participants, whose diverse cultures and backgrounds enabled me to engage with them on a personal level. I was able to empathize with their stories, which helped me to further understand the importance of the research. This part of my experience was the most rewarding since it allowed me to get to know both my community and coworkers. I looked forward to going to work each day as a result of these connections, and I now have relationships that I can continue to build upon as well as a workplace in which I will thrive. With each relationship that I was able to make, I was able to develop my perspectives and saw the value in forging new ones. - Ysabella Perez

Interested in reading more first-hand accounts about undergraduate research? Check out the other experiences featured on our Student News Page and Social Media!

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