Lucia Canul, a Joint Doctoral Program scholar, awarded University Graduate Fellowship by SDSU
Lucia Canul, a joint doctoral program (JDP) scholar at San Diego State University and University of California, San Diego, recently received a University Graduate Fellowship from SDSU. The fellowship provides support for “graduate students who are engaged in scholarship advancing the university's goals for research, scholarship, and creative activities,” according to SDSU.
Canul, who is in the global health track of the JDP, said it is a “great honor” to receive the fellowship, which will support her dissertation and help complete her doctorate degree.
She previously earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nutrition. Her research projects focus on dietary intake among populations in the United States and Mexico — a topic personal to her heritage.
“As a Mexican American I feel deeply inspired by the cultures of Latin America and how food, culture, diet and generational knowledge influences diet related chronic diseases and how as public health researchers we can use this to promote health equity,” she said.
Canul started her career as a dietician, working with Latino communities in Southern California. She then spent many years working with indigenous communities at SDSU’s Center for Mesoamerican Studies in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she studied diet, nutrition, traditional medicine, and food security.
Oaxaca, known for its large indigenous population and diverse culture, is where she is conducting her current projects. Her work examines food insecurity, migration, and cultural influences on dietary intake in the area.
Her work is especially relevant in Oaxaca, as it is one of the poorest states in Mexico. A 2024 survey found that 46.7% of Oaxaca residents lacked access to one or more “basic services” like running water, sewerage, or electricity, according to Mexico News Daily. Limited access to these resources can have a significant impact on diet.
“As we live in an ever changing world influenced by migration and policies, we need to continue this work to support populations on both sides of the border,” she said.
As she continues her own career in nutrition and research, Canul hopes to find a path toward teaching, where she can help others start their own careers in public health.
“I hope to inspire underserved, first generation students and underrepresented student groups to pursue careers in global health, nutrition and healthcare to advance health equity for professionals and patients,” she said.
