Monica Rodriguez

Monica Rodriguez is a Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Central Florida (UCF), part of the College of Sciences. She specializes in cultural and medical anthropology with a focus on D/deaf and hard of hearing communities, disability studies, and Latinx populations. Her research spans international sites in Guatemala, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and domestic locations like Los Angeles, Detroit, and Orlando. Dr. Rodriguez holds an MA from California State University, Los Angeles, and a PhD from Wayne State University in Detroit. She teaches courses including General Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, and the Anthropology of Disability.

• Education: PhD in Anthropology (Wayne State University), MA in Anthropology (California State University, Los Angeles)
• Languages: Native English, heritage Spanish, conversational French, and working knowledge of Lensegua (Guatemalan Sign Language)

Her research examines personhood, cultural practices around health and healing, and the intersection of disability with identity. She has conducted fieldwork in multiple countries, emphasizing applied approaches to understanding marginalized communities. Dr. Rodriguez's courses reflect her commitment to integrating theoretical frameworks with real-world applications in medical and cultural anthropology.