Rupa Valdez

Rupa Valdez is a Professor of Systems and Information Engineering and Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia's School of Engineering & Applied Science. Her research focuses on designing solutions to support health management in marginalized populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and under-resourced communities. She employs participatory design methods and integrates insights from human factors engineering, cultural anthropology, and health informatics. Valdez advocates for disability rights through roles such as President of the Blue Trunk Foundation and Board Member of the American Association of People with Disabilities. She has testified before Congress on health equity issues and collaborates with organizations like the National Academy of Medicine.

Key professional roles include Associate Editor of the Journal of American Medical Informatics Association Open and Internal Affairs Division Chair of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Her work emphasizes methodological innovation in participatory research and policy advocacy.

Recent research trends highlight her focus on disability-inclusive healthcare technology, systemic barriers in chronic disease management, and economic impacts of caregiving for children with medical complexity. Her articles frequently address AI ethics, exoskeleton design for healthcare workers, and improving access for deaf communities.

Valdez's contributions extend beyond academia through initiatives like the NIH-funded study on disability care systems and her leadership in disability advocacy organizations. She actively bridges clinical research, policy, and community engagement to drive equitable healthcare solutions.