Corina Zamora: Using Storytelling to Solve Problems, Boost Health

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Corina Zamora grew up playing bingo and telling stories with her family in South Texas.

Storytelling even helped in solving problems and learning Spanish, by using loteria cards to tell stories in this language. As the only Latina in a small Texas school, it was important to be able to talk about all experiences, good and bad.

Zamora, currently a graduate student at the UTHealth School of Public Health campus in San Antonio, can tell many stories of how she is improving Latino health.

After getting interested in public health began as an undergrad at UT Rio Grande Valley, Zamora worked with the USDA to study local agriculture and entomology. She was asked to present this research at the 72nd annual Subtropical Agriculture and Environments Society’s 72nd annual meeting.

Zamora also volunteers with Planned Parenthood and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio to hone her research and advocacy skills.

To further her experience and education, Zamora applied for the Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program.

The Éxito! program, led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez at UT Health San Antonio with support from the National Cancer Institute, recruits 25 master’s-level students and professionals each year for a five-day summer institute, optional internships, and ongoing networking and support to promote doctoral degrees and careers in Latino cancer. A recent study found significant increases in summer institute participants’ confidence to apply to a doctoral program and academic self-efficacy.

“This Éxito! Summer Institute gave me the confidence to begin planning for a career in research,” Zamora said.

For those considering applying for Éxito! next year, Zamora has this advice

“You will bring home so much more than you know!”

Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2019 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program at UT Health San Antonio, the headquarters of the Salud America! program. Apply now for Èxito! 2020.