Spotlight – Valentina De Leon, Addressing Health on a Global Scale

Valentina De Leon, BA (Hons.)

Valentina served as a Global Food System & Policy Research Assistant at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research from July 2023 to August 2024. In this role, she provided research support for various externally funded global health projects, including literature reviews, key informant interviews, qualitative analysis, and group model building workshop facilitation.

A key focus of Valentina's work was on the project "Colonial Histories and Contemporary Food Systems," where she conducted semi-structured interviews with Indigenous governance leaders, food security advocates, policymakers, and scholars. She analyzed literature and interview transcripts using Dedoose to identify system elements and interactions, which were then mapped visually using Kumu software to develop Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs). Her work culminated in the preparation of a project poster presented at the 2024 Geneva Health Forum.

Currently, Valentina is pursuing a Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy. This program is directly related to her interest in global health, as she feels it will equip her with the analytical skills and policy expertise necessary to address complex health challenges on a global scale. Valentina would like to focus her studies on understanding how policy frameworks can be designed and implemented to improve health outcomes and equity, particularly in diverse and underserved populations.

"Professionally, my time at the Dahdaleh Institute was invaluable. It allowed me to build a network of mentors and collaborators who are leaders in global health, furthering my commitment to this field. The Institute offers a unique environment where you can engage with complex global health challenges from multiple perspectives—whether it's through systems thinking, policy analysis, or hands-on research with diverse communities. The more you immerse yourself in the collaborative spirit of the Institute, the more you’ll grow both professionally and personally."

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