Layne Scopano, is an emerging researcher in the field of public health. She is committed to health equity, advocacy, and community engagement.She completed her undergraduate degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, as well as Spanish, at the University of South Carolina Honors College.
Now she is pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Sydney, supported by a Rotary Global Ambassadorial Scholarship.
Find out more about this up and coming young leader.
It's more than simple research for Layne
My previous research has focused on the neurobehavioral development of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Indigenous community health. Currently, I am investigating resilience in emerging adulthood, with a future goal of studying food and water security in remote and very remote communities in Australia.
I believe in working directly with communities to identify health issues and develop ethical research approaches. For my independent research project on Indigenous maternal and child nutrition, I lived with and worked alongside the people in Palotoa Teparo, a native community in the Amazon River Basin of Peru.
I have also taught poetry classes to individuals experiencing homelessness, amplifying their voices within the broader community. Additionally, I contributed to online health resources for Spanish-speaking communities in South Carolina and served as a personal caretaker for a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ASD. These experiences underscore my dedication to addressing fundamental health needs through community engagement.