Zobeida Bonilla

Zobeida Bonilla, PhD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Division of Epidemiology & Community Health at the University of Minnesota's School of Public Health. Her expertise spans maternal and child health, global health disparities, and qualitative research, with a focus on Latino/a communities and the Caribbean region. She holds a PhD in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of Florida and an MPH in Maternal & Child Health from Boston University.

Dr. Bonilla has extensive program management experience, including roles at the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Her research emphasizes culturally competent care, health equity, and community-based interventions. Recent work includes studies on sexual health in Tanzania, homelessness and diabetes management, and the impact of childhood trauma on emerging adults.

• Key Projects:
• Culturally Appropriate Care for mothers and children in Minnesota (2024)
• Leadership Education in Maternal and Child Public Health (2020-2025)
• Adverse Childhood Experiences and Obesity in Emerging Adults (2018-2022)

Her grants include funding from HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau and NIH, focusing on training future public health leaders and addressing systemic health disparities through mixed-methods approaches.

Dr. Bonilla collaborates internationally, particularly in Tanzania, and locally to design evidence-based programs addressing healthcare access barriers for marginalized populations.