Professor John Ruiz to serve as College of Science's Convocation speaker

The College of Science has announced Dr. John Ruiz will serve as the keynote speaker for the upcoming College of Science Winter 2024 Convocation. The ceremony will be hosted inside Centennial Hall on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

The college will recognize and celebrate nearly 500 graduating students at the ceremony in December.

Dr. Ruiz is a Professor in the Department of Psychology, Director of the Social Risk and Resilience Factors (SuRRF) Lab, and the Associate Director of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. His groundbreaking research focuses on the impacts of racial, ethnic, and cultural differences and how social lives constitute both risk and resilience for physical health.

“I'm a health psychologist by training,” Ruiz said. “My research falls into two areas. I do quite a bit of work in stress and cardiovascular disease and how stress impacts disease. I also work in Hispanic and Latino health studying something called the ‘Hispanic Health Paradox.’"

Ruiz said he hopes to shed light on how and why Hispanic and Latino individuals tend to live longer, healthier lives than most other ethnic groups, despite a disproportionate risk factor profile.

“That is in part how I ended up here in Arizona. The research just seemed particularly relevant to the area, and the first part of my time here was spent examining if this was in fact real,” Ruiz said. “I was just fascinated by it and here we are, 25 years later.”

Much of Ruiz’s current research examines social factors that affect health outcomes. 

“We certainly know that the more socially integrated a person is, the better their health tends to be,” he said.

According to Ruiz, the benefits can be seen across a wide range of severe medical conditions including cancer, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's disease.

“As a health psychologist, the way we tend to think about it is there are a set of factors that can help better understand one's risk for those diseases. By intervening on things like stress or availability of healthcare, physical activity, or diet – what we generally call social determinants – we can address those factors,” Ruiz said.

Ruiz said being chosen as the keynote speaker for the College of Science’s Convocation is a huge honor.

“I've always been fortunate to either sit in the audience or on the stage to hear about the work and life experiences of wonderful speakers at past graduations, so when I was approached about this opportunity, I just instinctively said yes,” he said.

Convocation, Ruiz said, is an important milestone for students and their families, and he wants to provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their journey and take in their special day.

“For many people, it is the pinnacle of their educational journey, and it's a day to celebrate what they've accomplished,” he said. “It's the sprinkles on the cake so to speak; a cake that is four or more years in the making.”

“I certainly hope to have a moment where I can resonate with the students and their experiences,” he added. “And it's certainly my very great privilege to have that opportunity.”