SHESC alum using her degree to fight for equality in the medical field
Mirtha Garcia Reyes named one of 21 Leading Edge Fellows with the American Council of Learned Societies.
Once an undergraduate first-generation student at Arizona State University, Mirtha Garcia Reyes completed her PhD in sociocultural anthropology with SHESC in 2024.
From completing her PhD in sociocultural anthropology from ASU’s School of Human Evolution and Social Change in April, to being named one of 21 Leading Edge Fellows with the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), Mirtha Garcia Reyes is making her mark on the world.
For the next two years, Reyes is working with GLMA, a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for LGBTQ+ communities and equality for LGBTQ+ health professionals in their work and learning environments.
Made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation, the Leading Edge Fellows program supports outstanding early-career PhDs in the humanities and interpretive social sciences as they work with social justice organizations in communities across the United States.
“I am beyond honored and appreciative to be the recipient of this fellowship. It means that I can take my previous educational and research experiences to support LGBTQ+ communities in all capacities and help support imminent changes in social justice issues that can be applicable in the United States and other countries,” Reyes said.
Reyes’ doctoral research explored the experiences and identities of 33 trans individuals who live in Valencia, Spain. Through a multi-method and comparative approach, her dissertation shed light on the immigration experience of trans individuals fleeing their countries of origin to escape gender discrimination.
Although Reyes’ current work is focused domestically, she says that it is giving her the opportunity to see the real world impacts of her research and advocacy.
“Through GLMA’s hard work and support, I have been able to observe and experience the impact that local and national policies have on LGBTQ+ communities, as well as how critical engagement and collaboration with community members and stakeholders is when it comes to advocacy and outreach, especially as it relates to LGBTQ+ communities’ health, wellness and access to life-saving care,” Reyes said.
With more than a year left in her fellowship, Reyes is already looking to the future and hopes that she continue to leverage her studies at ASU into life-changing advocacy work,
“I hope to use the knowledge and experiences I attain from this fellowship role to continue helping LGBTQ+ communities at a local, state and national level. I want to help bridge the existing gaps that exist between what LGBTQ+ communities need and how they are being addressed,” Reyes said.