Capacity Building

Kai is a Postdoctoral Scholar at UC Berkeley's Institute of Transportation Studies, working with Dr. Daniel Rodríguez. His research explores the links between urban mobility, climate, and health, focusing on how planning and transport systems affect environmental exposures (e.g., heat, air pollution) and how interventions like bus electrification can improve equity and health. With SALURBAL he has studied heat-related traffic mortality in Latin American cities (MS252) and adaptation to rising temperatures (MS297). He also analyzes transportation’s role in urban heat islands and supports HIA, including evaluating bus electrification’s benefits in Bogotá and Mexico City for reducing PM2.5-related deaths.

Laura is a Sociologist from Universidad Diego Portales (UDP) with a Master’s in Urban Development from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC), and Diploma in Qualitative Methods for Social Research from Universidad Diego Portales (UDP). Her work has focused on urban sociology, with a particular interest in qualitative research and direct engagement with communities in their territories. Her research areas include the right to the city; the intersections of urban planning, environment, health, and quality of life; gender perspectives in daily life; and the relationship between academia and communities. 

Penelope holds a Master's in Public and Global Health with a background in political science and public health research, focusing on climate change, health equity, and vulnerable populations. Impact Coordinator at InnovaLab (SALURBAL’s Peru hub at UPCH), leading science-policy engagement, fostering multisector partnerships, and translating research into policy briefs and communication tools. Coordinates dialogues, conducts qualitative/quantitative research on climate perceptions, and strengthens regional capacities as part of SALURBAL-Climate’s Capacity Building and Policy Cores.

Giovanna holds a degree in Nutrition from Universidad Mayor, an MSc in Human Physiology from King’s College London, and is completing her PhD in Public Health at the University of Chile. Since 2013, she has researched cardiovascular disease prevention, focusing on clinical epidemiology and nutrition. Since 2021, she has contributed to SALURBAL projects, examining contextual factors affecting fruit and vegetable intake in Latin American cities. She also teaches at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, with research interests in dietary patterns, diet footprints, and urban/climatic impacts on health.