UCLA Center for LQBTQ Advocacy, Research & Health hosts third annual research symposium

The UCLA Center for LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Research & Health (C-LARAH), led by Dr. Matthew Mimiaga, professor and vice chair in UCLA Fielding’s Department of Epidemiology, held its annual research symposium recently at UCLA’s Mathias Botanical Garden.

“We are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of sexual and gender minorities, and we accomplish this through our research, through our undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral training programs, as well as through community engagement and policy advocacy,” Mimiaga said. “We believe that community is so important in the work that we do, and especially at this particular moment in time, so having all of you here to show your support is so meaningful.”

At a time of significant changes in the federal policy landscape affecting higher education, scientific research, and LGBTQ+ health equity and civil rights, the April 9 event brought together leaders in research and public service to discuss both scholarly and policy perspectives, and at the state and federal levels.

These included Dr. Ayako Miyashita Ochoa, with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, who described her research addressing how to best provide services to people with or at risk of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections. She also offered her perspective on how academic research into healthcare delivery can most effectively serve the public.

“We have a job to do, and our job is to make sure that the research we do that comes from our community heads back to our community,” Miyashita Ochoa said. “Research is about generating evidence and it’s about documenting evidence, informing our local response, and amplifying community voices.”

Also attending was U.S. Rep. Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.), who presented certificates of recognition to Mimiaga, Miyashita Ochoa, and trainees from C-LARAH and UCLA, including epidemiology doctoral student Jack Feng, for their research work and leadership. Additionally, local high school student and C-LARAH intern Jonah Segil was honored for leading a fundraising campaign that raised nearly $150,000 for the center. Miyashita Ochoa was also honored with C-LARAH’s Distinguished Scholar Award in LGBTQ+ Health, while Segil was honored with C-LARAH’s Meritorious LGBTQ+ Service Award.

“He’s truly remarkable - I think so highly of Jonah; he’s been an incredible collaborator,” Mimiaga said. “He is a standout leader for his age, and there is no doubt he will be at for the forefront of the next generation leading this work.”