Kathy Tran

Kathy Tran is a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Human Biology and Society with a minor in Global Health at UCLA. Since joining the Heat Lab at UCLA and collaborating with other researchers, she has developed a deeper interest in doing research work at the intersections of public health, heat inequality, and disability studies. Her current research project undertakes a dual focus on the current challenges that individuals with disabilities face as global temperatures rise and as the frequency and severity of heat waves increase. She will examine two key areas: the current availability and effectiveness of assistive technologies in managing body temperature, and the accessibility of shade in urban landscapes and infrastructure. Through this work, she aims to contribute to public discourse by identifying barriers to accessing shaded spaces, addressing how rising temperatures have impacted the health and daily activities of individuals with disabilities, and evaluating how urban design and public health policy frameworks can be improved to protect vulnerable communities such as the disability community.