Bio
Dr. Sheilla Rodríguez Madera (or Sheilla R. Madera) is a professor in the Department of Sociocultural and Global Studies (GSS) at Florida International University. She was Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Violence Prevention Commission and former president of the Puerto Rico Psychological Association. For more than 20 years, Dr. Madera has conducted research on the social determinants that affect the health of trans communities. She published the first book on this topic in Puerto Rico (Género Trans, 2009). Currently, Dr. Madera's research endeavors primarily revolve around contexts characterized by economic and natural disasters, with a particular emphasis on the unique challenges of Puerto Rico. Her research interests extend to areas including migration, access to healthcare, and the vital role communities play in developing resistance strategies related to health.
Dr. Madera is part of the Research Network for Health and Society (REACH). She has received numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health (NICHD, NIDA, NIMH, NIA, NCI, and NIMHD). She has an extensive track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and books. She is part of the Blank Chango Films production team, a group committed to creating documentaries on topics of social relevance.