Summary
A special spotlight on Desirée Lama’s work in disability research, chronic illness advocacy, and creating more inclusive spaces through storytelling and community engagement.
Desirée Lama, a young latina woman standing on a brick pathway lined with trees. She is wearing a burnt orange velvet mortar board, a doctoral hood, and a bright red and black dress. She is looking at the camera with a steady gaze.
It is with great pride and joy that we spotlight Desirée Lama!
Desirée has been at my right hand throughout her years here at The University of Texas at Austin, from undergraduate through to her PhD in Educational Psychology. She brings steady leadership, deep thinking, and intentionality to all of her projects.
She is a qualitative education researcher focusing on disabled student success, accessibility, and equity in higher education. Her work is unique. Desirée uses an intersectional lens to understand how students navigate complex institutional systems and how overlapping identities shape their experiences and outcomes.
Desirée excels in translating these insights into research-informed strategies that support more inclusive learning environments. She has deep experience in social media strategy, community engagement, and freelance writing.
Her blog is nothing short of extraordinary — highlighting the very personal journey of living with MS. She creates accessible content in order to foster meaningful dialogue and amplify underrepresented perspectives from the chronic illness community.
In her own words: “I just a human trying to figure out this life one day at a time. Like most people, I aim to be as unapologetically myself as possible each and every day. I am an avid lover of sharks, cats, and clothes. I don’t know what each moment will bring forth, but I will thrive through it all with my loved ones by my side. 💜”
