American public health researcher
Bonnie Duran is an American public health researcher and Professor in the Schools of Social Work and Public Health. Duran studies the public health of indigenous communities, and has partnered with the Navajo Nation, Indian Health Service and National Congress of American Indians.
Early life and education.
Duran is of Appalousa and Coushatta descent. She was an undergraduate student at San Francisco State University, where she studied health education. She completed a Master of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley. She remained at the University of California, Berkeley for her graduate studies, where she studied the public health of indigenous communities.
Research and career.
After earning her doctorate Duran joined the University of New Mexico, where she led the Centre for Native American Health. Duran joined the University of Washington in 2007, where she was made associate professor in 2014 and full professor in 2017. She serves as Director of the Center for Indigenous Health Research. Her research considers issues that impact the health of Native Americans and other minority communities in the United States. She has studied the prevalence of mental disorders and the treatment of indigenous women who use Indian Health Service primary career facilities.
In 2018 Duran was selected by the University of California, Berkeley as part of their most influential alumni.
Personal life.
Duran is a Buddhist mindfulness practitioner. She is part of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and teaches on their council.