Beatriz Costas Rodriguez 10/8/2026
In English:
Through CONTINUUM, I have been able to make space for research that matters. I have had the opportunity to build the kind of research that goes beyond a research lab. I have been able to bring important research topics into public conversations. Being part of this program has motivated me to keep pursuing maternal research and find ways to make it accessible and relevant to people outside of academia. That has been evident through a media tour I was in this past May 2026. I had the chance to discuss my research on two television outlets and two radio shows in Puerto Rico. I was able to share findings with audiences who might not otherwise encounter this type of information.
That momentum has continued. In June 2026 I presented my research at an inter-university research forum, connecting with peers and colleagues from across institutions in P.R. who are engaging with similar questions. What stands out most is how CONTINUUM has helped me carve out space for research topics I deeply care about. I am excited to keep building on this momentum and continue finding new platforms to share this important relevant work.
In Spanish:
A través de CONTINUUM, he podido crear un espacio para dedicarme a investigación impactante. He tenido la oportunidad de promover investigación que va más allá de un equipo de investigación. He tenido la oportunidad de llevar temas de investigación a foros públicos. Por lo tanto, ser parte de este programa me ha motivado a seguir Adelante con mi investigación de salud maternal y buscar maneras de hacerla accesible y relevante para personas fuera del ámbito académico. Esto se hizo evidente a través de presencia en los medios que tuve en mayo del 2026. Tuve la oportunidad de hablar sobre mi investigación en dos canales de televisión y dos programas de radio en Puerto Rico. Pude compartir los resultados de investigación con personas que usualmente no tendrían acceso a este tipo de información.
Esta motivación ha continuado. En junio del 2026, presenté la investigación en un foro inter-universitario, donde pude conectar con colegas de distintas instituciones en P.R. Lo que más resalta de mi experiencia en estos proyectos ha sido de cómo CONTINUUM me ha ayudado a crear espacios para poder promover temas de investigación importantes para mí. Estoy emocionada de continuar construyendo sobre estas energías y continuar identificando plataformas para compartir este trabajo tan relevante.
Adriana N. Zayas Pérez 7/23/2026
Over the past year, my work as a CONTINUUM Graduate Research Trainee has focused on a
Patient Journey Mapping study on maternal health in Puerto Rico, led by Dr. Amílcar Matos-
Moreno. Puerto Rico faces a maternal health crisis shaped by economic instability, a fragmented
healthcare system, and recurring natural disasters. Our study uses a participatory approach that
pairs focus groups with patient journey mapping to document the experiences of Puerto Rican
women across every stage of the perinatal journey, from pregnancy discovery through childbirth
and the postpartum period. As participants share their stories, a graphic artist co-constructs a
visual map in real time, turning lived experience into a tool that can surface barriers often missed
and help shape more compassionate, culturally responsive care.
CONTINUUM has been a meaningful part of my growth during this time. This experience
pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me refine how I frame research questions, and
I've gained valuable experience in qualitative methodology, participatory research design, and
communicating research to broader audiences. Just as meaningfully, this project has connected
me with wonderful mentors and colleagues across The Ohio State University, Howard
University, and Albizu University whom I would never have had the chance to work alongside
otherwise. The mentorship, structure, and collaborative spirit of this community have been
central to advancing this project and to my growth as a maternal health researcher.
Immensely grateful,
Adriana N. Zayas Pérez
Mona Mensah 6/10/2026
This year, I had the opportunity to participate in the CONTINUUM Research Program, where I worked on a project titled Beyond Crisis Care: Exploring Support Systems for Maternal Mental Health. My research focused on understanding how postpartum support systems can better address the mental health needs of underserved mothers through community resource mapping, digital narratives, and AI-supported maternal health systems. As part of this project, I reviewed and analyzed real postpartum narratives shared online, identified recurring themes related to maternal mental health, and translated those experiences into clinician-reviewable scenarios. I also contributed to building and validating a database of approximately 144 postpartum support resources across Washington, D.C., including healthcare organizations, food assistance programs, community services, churches, doulas, and other culturally relevant support systems. Recently, I presented this work at the CONTINUUM Works-in-Progress Symposium, where I shared both my findings and the process behind developing these resources.
Participating in CONTINUUM has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my academic journey so far. Before joining the program, I had limited research experience and little understanding of how research can directly impact communities. Through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on learning, I gained experience in data collection, qualitative analysis, public speaking, and communicating research to diverse audiences. More importantly, I learned how research can be used to address real-world health disparities and support underserved populations. Presenting my work and receiving feedback from researchers across multiple institutions strengthened my confidence as both a student and emerging researcher. CONTINUUM challenged me to think critically, grow professionally, and explore how my interests in healthcare, technology, and community engagement can come together to create meaningful change.
Ruva Rumano 12/02/2025
Amalek Girald 8/18/2025 (Spanish)
Amalek Girald 8/18/2025 (English)
