Bella Flores

Education

Currently pursuing a BS in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, Pre-medical track, University of Michigan

Research Interests

I am interested in investigating health disparities, especially as they apply to mental health. I think mental health often doesn’t get the emphasis it deserves and this inequity applies even more to minority groups. As a future doctor, I want to better understand the impacts of these social determinants on health so I can have a better practice.

What brought you to GREMAP?

I am part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and I am working on the Diabetes and Mental Health (DMH) Initiative. Research is something I’ve always wanted to pursue but haven’t had the chance to. As a person with many diabetic family members, the DMH lab explores a topic particularly relevant to both my personal life and academic interests. People ignore the ramifications of the ways they treat those with diabetes, often in a demeaning way. Diabetes can also be extremely stressful, and I think this intersection of diabetes and mental health is something that needs urgently to be investigated. Being a part of that research means the world to me, and I’m extraordinarily happy to be part of GREMAP.

What do you like to do outside work/school?

Outside of work and school, my biggest interests are music and walking. Nothing can cheer me up from a bad mood than listening to a good album and exploring a new part of town. I also play an instrument, the trombone, and I like to sing in my free time.