Cristina Punzalan

Cristina Punzalan serves as the Program Manager for the Department of Medicine Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She was awarded the 2023 Staff EDI award by the UCLA Academic Senate in recognition of her notable accomplishments, manifest commitment to diversity, and contributions in fostering an equitable and inclusive UCLA. She also manages the NIA-funded Resource Center for Minority Ageing Research - Center for Health Improvement of Minority Elderly. Previously, she served as an administrator for the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research as well as for the UCLA RWJF Clinical Scholars Program and subsequently the UCLA National Clinician Scholars Program. She has also worked in project management implementing the Diabetes Prevention Program in under-resourced communities as a health coach and research administrator. Prior to coming to UCLA 19 years ago, she served in the Peace Corps in various capacities including recruiter in the Bay Area and volunteer and volunteer trainer in Ecuador. Cristina obtained her MPH from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and her BA from the UC Berkeley.