Dr. María Aranda

Biography

María P. Aranda is an internationally recognized social worker and sociobehavioral scholar in the fields of social work, geriatrics, and gerontology. With an upbringing in a racially and ethnically diverse and economically impoverished community in Los Angeles, she is acutely aware of the impact of social determinants on health. Her research interests lie in the interplay between chronic illness and psychological well-being among low-income minority populations. She serves as the Executive Director of the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging and is Co-Director of the Research Education Core at the USC Alzheimer's Disease Resource Center. In addition to her academic pursuits, Aranda has been actively involved in various initiatives aimed at improving public health policies and programs related to aging and health equity. She has received numerous accolades, including the James Jackson Outstanding Mentorship Award from the Gerontological Society of America and is recognized as a Fellow of the same organization. Her extensive academic background includes a PhD from the University of Southern California and multiple degrees in social work and public administration. Aranda’s expertise encompasses aging, mental health, diversity in health, and support systems for caregivers, which she has used to inform both her research and practical interventions in community settings.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards