Stephanie Arteaga, MPH, is a PhD candidate and a Project Director with the UC Berkeley Sexual Health and Reproductive Equity (SHARE) Program whose work centers on understanding how social, cultural, and structural factors influence reproductive decision-making. Through her research, Stephanie explores the intersections of reproductive health and the lived experiences of the communities she serves, advancing community-engaged scholarship that informs more equitable reproductive health care.
Driven by a longstanding passion for addressing topics that are often stigmatized within her own cultural community, Stephanie has dedicated her career to conducting research that is thoughtful, community-informed, and grounded in equity. Through both her professional work and doctoral research, she continues to examine how people's experiences shape reproductive health decisions and how research can better reflect the realities of diverse communities.
Photo: Alumna Stephanie Arteaga, MPH
A Passion for Reproductive Health and Community
Stephanie found herself drawn to reproductive and sexual health long before beginning the UC Berkeley MCAH program. She understood these subjects were often considered taboo within her own cultural upbringing, but knew they were important to discuss openly and compassionately.
Her early professional experiences solidified her passion: first as an intern at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, then as a research intern at San Francisco State University with social welfare faculty member Dr. Anu Gómez. Working alongside researchers and community members introduced her to the impact that reproductive health research can have on people's lives. This experience inspired her to pursue graduate training in MCAH.
She especially enjoys collaborating with students, community researchers, alumni, and colleagues while conducting interviews that thoughtfully and respectfully elevate participants' stories.
How Berkeley MCAH Shaped Her Perspective
For Stephanie, Berkeley's MCAH program extended far beyond the classroom.
The program fundamentally changed the way she understands health by introducing her to concepts such as the Social Determinants of Health and Life Course Theory. These frameworks continue to influence how she approaches research, community engagement, and even the way she understands everyday social issues. The knowledge and perspectives she gained at Berkeley became the foundation for both her approach to public health and her personal understanding of health equity.
Equally influential was the Berkeley community itself. Faculty mentors and classmates created an environment where her perspectives and values were reflected, encouraging her to pursue work in spaces that prioritize equity, collaboration, and community voices.
Current Work: Advancing Reproductive Health Research
Today, Stephanie serves as a Project Director for the SHARE Program, where she oversees research examining the impacts of guaranteed income on maternal and infant health outcomes and how social media narratives about hormonal birth control inform contraceptive decision-making.
Alongside this work, she is launching her doctoral dissertation, which explores how mental health influences pregnancy preferences and reproductive decision-making. Her research examines whether mental health affects when people want to become pregnant, how they make reproductive decisions, and how those experiences continue throughout pregnancy and beyond.
For Stephanie, research is about much more than collecting data. It is about building relationships and creating space for people to share their lived experiences.
She especially enjoys collaborating with students, community researchers, alumni, and colleagues while conducting interviews that thoughtfully and respectfully elevate participants' stories.
A Meaningful Milestone: Launching Her Dissertation
Launching her dissertation has been an especially meaningful milestone for Stephanie. Her research examines how mental health may influence people’s pregnancy preferences and reproductive decisions, including when they hope to become pregnant and how those decisions may evolve before, during, and after pregnancy.
The project also reflects what Stephanie values most about research: being in conversation with people, listening to their experiences, and representing their stories with humility and care. She especially enjoys conducting interviews and collaborating with students, community researchers, peers, and alumni who share a common purpose.
“I love working toward a common goal with people who are passionate,” Stephanie says. “It doesn’t feel like just work, it feels like working with family.”
That sense of collaboration and shared commitment makes the dissertation especially rewarding as she moves closer to completing her doctoral program.
A Memorable Berkeley Experience
Stephanie’s time in Berkeley’s MPH program left a lasting impact. One of her favorite memories was presenting her capstone, the first time she shared research that was entirely her own. The support of faculty and classmates strengthened her confidence as a researcher.
She also remembers studying in Haviland Hall and spending time with peers who shared her passion for community health. Those experiences helped build relationships that continue to shape her personal and professional life.
Skills That Have Guided Her Career
Throughout her career, Stephanie has found that technical research skills are only one piece of the puzzle. Building authentic relationships has been equally important.
Some of the skills she credits most include:
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Building genuine professional relationships
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Seeking mentorship early and maintaining those connections
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Community-engaged and qualitative research
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Active listening and thoughtful interviewing
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Collaborative leadership
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Cultural humility and equity-centered research
Long before she worked with Dr. Anu Gómez, Stephanie admired her research and intentionally sought her out while attending San Francisco State University. She introduced herself during office hours and asked thoughtful questions about her career path. This interaction would later open the door to invaluable mentorship.
“If you find someone whose work aligns with yours,” she says, “take the initiative to connect.”
Advice for Current MCAH Students
Stephanie encourages current students to remain curious and approach every interaction with humility.
“Have an open mind. You can learn something from anyone,” she urges.
She believes some of the most meaningful lessons in public health come directly from the communities researchers hope to serve.
“Community always has the answer,” she says. “Public health is for the community.”
Looking Ahead
As she works toward completing her doctoral program next summer, Stephanie is preparing for the next stage of her career, including applying for fellowships and research positions that will allow her to continue advancing reproductive health equity.
Stephanie is deeply grateful for her time at Berkeley, which laid the foundation for her career as a researcher. She continues to maintain meaningful relationships with faculty and peers and values the MCAH program as a supportive community where she grew both personally and professionally.
Connect with Stephanie:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-arteaga/