Melanie Z. Plasencia received her Ph.D. from the Department of Comparative Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Her research examines how older Latina/o/xs in the U.S. negotiate the challenges of aging in the context of extreme poverty, deteriorating health, and diminishing government support. Presently, she is the César Chávez Postdoctoral Fellow at Dartmouth College, where she will teach for the Department of Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean Studies and work on her book manuscript, tentatively titled "Aging on the Hudson." She will also continue as the student representative for the Aging and Lifecourse section of the ASA. Her research can be read in the Journals Social Problems and The Gerontologist, and has been supported by the AARP, Center for Race and Gender and the Ford Foundation. She has taught over fourteen courses for Universities on the East and West Coasts. As a former Ronald E. Mcnair Scholar, Melanie enjoys giving back and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds in her areas of specialty. Her public scholarship can be read in the American Society on Aging's journal, Generations Today, and Inside Higher Ed.