Researcher Denise Moreno-Ramirez is revolutionizing environmental science research by incorporating oral histories to shed light on the impact of neglected toxic sites on communities. In her PhD project titled “Voices Unheard,” she collects firsthand accounts from local residents in Nogales, Arizona, where she uncovered health crises related to historical contamination that were not recognized.
Moreno-Ramirez’s work demonstrates the value of personal narratives in scientific research, pushing back against the trend of focusing solely on depersonalized data analysis. As Chief of the Oral History Society, Rib Davis, said, “The answer isn’t just in science. It’s in people.” This sentiment highlights the importance of incorporating community stories into scientific research to provide a holistic understanding of environmental health impacts.
By including marginalized communities in scientific research, Moreno-Ramirez believes that a human context can be added to scientific data, leading to better-informed policy decisions. Her essay in our Agents of Change program, entitled “A Love Note to Brown Women Facing Beauty Injustices,” explores her work and advocacy for inclusive scientific research. Learn more about Moreno-Ramirez’s groundbreaking approach and its potential to pave the way for healthier futures for those who have been historically overlooked.
