I am a researcher, writer, and community engagement representative at the University of California, Irvine's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTS). In representing the Community Engagement Unit within the ICTS, I meet with community health agencies, organizations, and clinics to bridge the University with the community to enhance translational and community-based participatory research. Translational research brings new health knowledge from the basic sciences to clinical and community populations through transforming such discoveries into practical and tangible interventions with broad dissemination. I also conduct reviews of the latest scientific literature, write research and theory articles for peer-reviewed journals, grant proposals, and other academic and regulatory writing. I have a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy and a master's degree in epidemiology. I specialize in community engagement within the research process; literature reviews; synthesis of technical information into reader-friendly text; and synthesis of disparate theories, disciplines, concepts, and data into a uniting framework for greater or novel understanding. Topics I research and write about most often include community engagement; community-driven participatory action research; clincial and translational research; the neurobiology of human interaction; relational connection; up-to-date health information; social determinants of health; the medical encounter; patient-provider relationships; issues in death, dying, and end of life; consciousness; and health impacts of relationships. I am a member of the American Medical Writers Association.