SONJA CASTANEDA-CUDNEY is a mixed-methodology policy researcher and scholar at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy who studies reproductive health, mental health, perinatal mental health, and health equity/access to care. She has a background in Urban Education Policy (Brown University) and Genetics (UW-Madison) and understands that global issues are local issues in today’s hyperconnected world. Sonja seeks to provide whole-person services and supports including trauma-informed family planning and reproductive health care for the population of individuals of reproductive age living with serious mental illness (SMI). Sonja approaches her research through the lenses of Reproductive Justice, Disability Rights, Critical Race Theory, and Environmental Justice. Sonja has experience designing and leading research and education programs, nationally and internationally, and loves teaching and making art. Recently, Sonja has been a lead for the USC Healthy Campus Initiative Mental Health Policy and Education groups working to improve upon and identify new ways to support and foster mental health for the USC community and is a proud peer mentor for Postpartum Support International.