Hi, I'm Valerie Steinmetz. I'm a PhD grad student at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at the University of California at Davis. I have had type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. I live fearlessly with diabetes by setting goals and doing what I can to attain them. In 2022 I joined the Beyond type 1 NYC marathon team. I was able to train and complete the race in hot weather conditions. My husband also ran the race and was able to support me crossing the finish line. I love supporting those with type 1 diabetes running marathons and other races. I've always been interested in going back to grad school for my PhD. The timing was right and I applied to my PhD program. I worked hard to complete my application and learn all I could about the program and what I would need to do to successfully complete it and keep myself healthy. I'm currently in the third year of my PhD program and just completed my qualifying exam. My dissertation topic is studying social isolation in older adults. I would like to explore how social isolation and loneliness impacts those with diabetes. With support from this scholarship, I hope to continue to contribute toward diabetes research and expand my involvement in and learnings to the diabetes community. Scholarship video for SkinGrip: https://youtu.be/zBMr14cDsjM

• Program Manager

  Non-Profit Organization Management · Public Health Institute

  Jan 2009 – Present

• Jogging

  2013 – Present

• Program Manager

  Public Health Institute · Public Health

  2009 – Present

  Research topic:

  Chronic Conditions Management, Preventing Falls in Older Adults

• Program Manager

  Advocacy · Public Health Institute

  2014 – Present

  Mission:

  Advancing equity and addressing disparities for those with serious illnesses in community of color