For Pierina Parraga, research isn’t just about the discoveries—it’s about the people. Her clinical experiences with children facing complex health challenges have shaped not only her academic path but also her sense of purpose.
While working with young patients, Parraga helps administer the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS), an assessment designed to measure anxiety and depression in youth. The experience opened her eyes to the importance of pediatric care and solidified her desire to pursue a career in the field.
“Just being present while a child or adolescent is going through all these different assessments was a reminder of how important it is to be there for a child at such a critical point in their transition,” Parraga said. “Seeing how I could help them in the future and be an advocate for them is something that I would definitely be interested in continuing within my career.”
Parraga’s research with the RCADS has already sparked ideas for improvement. She hopes to turn her findings into a quality improvement project that could lead to more effective intervention strategies for children in need.
A passion for research
Parraga, a medical student in the class of 2027, has demonstrated a strong interest in research since arriving at the UNC School of Medicine. In addition to her work with RCADS, she’s taken on several other projects that reflect her curiosity and commitment.
Last fall, Parraga presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s Kidney Week in San Diego. Her research focused on children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), tracking how their body mass index (BMI) changed over time. She discovered that BMI tends to increase as these children move through adolescence.
“That was one of the coolest projects that I got to expose at my first conference,” Parraga said.
More recently, Parraga has been working on a project with the UNC STARx Program. Founded in 2006 by Dr. Maria Ferris, the program aims to improve self-management skills and disease knowledge among adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions.
As part of her contribution, Parraga focused on the data analysis when the STARx questionnaire was translated from English to Arabic to make the tool more culturally inclusive.
“The research encompasses the role of a clinician and how they can be an advocate for their patients by really listening to not just the patient, but also their families, and by being culturally competent,” Parraga said.
UNC and mentorship
Parraga’s journey into research was made possible through the Carolina Medical Student Research Program (CMSRP), where she was paired with Dr. Ferris as a mentor.
Dr. Ferris has modeled what it means to be a physician who advocates for her community. She has also supported Parraga by helping her secure funding and connecting her with a broader professional network.
“Pierina is one of the most brilliant and dedicated students I have ever mentored,” Ferris said. “Her drive to learn and be the best provider and researcher is amazing. Her empathy and cultural sensitivity are wonderful. What a pleasure to work with her!”
Parraga also credited Dr. Evan Dellon, director of the Office of Medical Student Research, for helping her navigate the world of academic research and opening doors through the CMSRP.
Thanks to these experiences, Parraga is now considering a future that blends clinical care with public health.
“UNC has been absolutely great,” Parraga said. “Seeing how these programs have really influenced me, I think a Master of Public Health is where I’m headed.”
Parraga’s research story is still unfolding, but it’s a reminder of what’s possible when medical students are supported, mentored and encouraged to follow their passions. At UNC, Parraga has found more than just a path forward. She’s found a purpose.