Valencia Mbuagbaw
Mbuagbaw is a senior at Howard University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Aspiring to build a career centered on equitable and patient-centered healthcare, she plans to continue her education through graduate and medical training following the completion of her undergraduate studies. Driven by a passion for improving healthcare access, representation, and mental health advocacy within communities of color, she strives to support underserved populations through her work and hopes to make a lasting impact throughout her future medical career.
As a SUMR Scholar, Mbuagbaw works on two research projects. Under the mentorship of Dr. Effy Yu, she studies the impact of the Mindful Parenting Program among Asian American families in an intervention study examining how adverse childhood experiences affect parenting practices and long-term biobehavioral health outcomes in children. Additionally, under the mentorship of Dr. Sophia Hua, she conducts quantitative research examining whether behaviorally informed marketing strategies or financial incentives can encourage healthier online grocery purchasing behaviors among individuals with prediabetes and diabetes.
At Howard University, Mbuagbaw serves as a founding officer and vice president of programming for Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity’s DC Alpha Chapter, where she helps establish operational structures and event standards across social, service, and professional development initiatives. She is also involved in the Comprehensive Medical Mentorship Program and the Undergraduate Student Assembly. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, makeup artistry, and creating meaningful experiences with friends and family.