Currently working in research related to retirement and its intersection with mental health, substance use, loneliness, and migration among older adults. This from a local and global perspective, focused on the life course theory.

Graduate Level

October 2022- at present
J. Meza, master thesis titled “Sarcopenia and physical functioning among dwelling older adults in Melipilla, Chile: Understainding its effect on older adults mental and emotional health”. Expected to defend by March 2024.

June 2022-March 2023
F. Villaroel, master thesis titled “the association between sarcopenia and depression among chilean older adults: testing reciprocity”.
M. De la Torre, master thesis titled “the causal association between physical health and depression among Chilean older adults”.

March 2020 – January 2024
E. Perez, doctoral thesis titled “Deserción universitaria y embarazo no intencionado; un análisis de los factores relevantes en la prevención de embarazo no intencionado y en el acompañamiento institucional universitario en Chile”. Expected defense by December 2023.

March 2020 – December 2023
C. Sánchez, doctoral thesis titled “Análisis del programa de Garantías Explicitas en Salud como Política Pública en Chile”. Expected defense by December 2023.

July 2019 –July 2024
N. Vargas, doctoral thesis titles “Los Legados Autoritarios en el Policy Making Process Chileno. La Política de Educación Superior 1967-2018”. Expected to defende by April 2024.
Undergraduate Level

June 2023 – Diciembre 2024
Fuentes, Gonzalez, Vera. Thesis titled “Consumo de Sustancias en Mujeres que Ejercen un Rol Multitarea y su Efecto en sus Áreas Ocupacionales”. Expected to defed by May 2024.

March 2022 – December 2022
Castelli, Elicer, Franklin & Parsons. Thesis titled “Intervención de Terapeutas Ocupacionales con personas hospitalizadas en Unidad de Paciente Crítico por COVID-19 en las diferentes etapas del ciclo vital”.

March 2020 – December 2020
Arredondo, Campos & Villalobos. Thesis titled “Rol del Terapeuta Ocupacional dentro del Programa Más Adultos Mayores Autovalentes de la Región Metropolitana”.
Carreño, Godoy & Gonzales. Thesis titled “Juego como herramienta terapéutica en el tratamiento de consumo problemático de alcohol y drogas en personas en situación de calle en Chile”
Castillo & Leal. Thesis titled “¿Cómo Afecta en la Calidad de Vida la Autopercepción de Sexualidad de Mujeres Mayores de 60 años?”

January 2025 Mass Media apparition for the article titled: Testing the Mediating Mechanism of Alcohol Use on the Association between Retirement and Depressive Symptoms in the United States using Generalized Mixed Effect Models.
Taylor & Francis: https://newsroom.taylorandfrancisgroup.com/retirement-may-lead-to-a-deterioration-in-mental-health-and-alcohol-use-may-worsen-the-issue-says-new-study/
The Times UK: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/science/article/retirement-raises-depression-risk-but-a-glass-of-wine-may-help-9tfxn5869#:~:text=People%20who%20had%20retired%20showed,who%20were%20only%20semi%2Dretired
ABC Health: https://www.kten.com/news/health/retirement-mental-health-and-alcohol-use-what-they-have-in-common/article_cc643719-c796-544a-96cf-6672848da87c.html
Daily Mail: https://www.newsbreak.com/daily-mail-560402/3759277048325-how-just-one-drink-a-day-beats-depression-in-retirees-and-can-help-with-social-life
Newsweek Apple News: https://www.newsweek.com/retirement-may-have-this-surprising-impact-seniors-health-2014218
US News: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-01-15/retirement-mental-health-and-alcohol-use-what-they-have-in-common#:~:text=Results%20show%20that%20retirees%20suffer,non%2Ddrinkers%2C%20researchers%20found
October, 2024 Entrevista en programa Palabras Mayores, en Radio Cooperativa sección Ciencia realizado en colaboración con el Centro de Neurociencia, Salud Mental y Metabolismo – GERO Chile. https://www.youtube.com/live/OBYhmr5OCcQ?si=__Gbt1ChPzj6IGCa
October, 2024 Entrevista en Radio Bío Bío, Valparaíso. Acerca de las tendencias de consumo de alcohol en Chile. https://www.litoralpress.cl/sitio/RadioTV_Detalles.cshtml?lpkey=LPY2K2XKAGVDUUTDYTXLO3COXYAOJKNL3H7RAWXCAWVSIW524SL5F46QKMPREULKNUS2TE7HY63AC&t=32
August, 2024 Investigación sobre longevidad saludable y envejecimiento de la Universidad Mayor fue destacada en El Mercurio. https://www.litoralpress.cl/sitio/Prensa_PaginaCompleta.cshtml?LPKey=SKMD6MJAKKFTALJS4MSDJ54YAQXMQEKJOFBK45UGKXSFITVD6NCQ
Junio, 2024 Edición especial el Mercurio: ¿cómo está envejeciendo la población chilena en la nueva era? https://www.litoralpress.cl/sitio/Prensa_Detalles.cshtml?LPKey=PP46G5IVHTXVHG5DUVK2HNKIJNJDGZAXIXAUM63BQSXP7IHOXAUUJ4MJCVQTP6SKQW5FQKW6B24KC
April, 2024 Entrevista en Canal Meganoticias: Aumento en la edad de Jubilación. https://www.litoralpress.cl/sitio/RadioTV_Detalles.cshtml?LPKey=L6M45KUHVDUPXHJOX77EYY3FJRT3SRLLO2PRHBK76ZKN527DVAYNZZFRNNFBZAAM4KUUKWR2IAYG4
March 2024 Participant as expert on a panel to evaluate the retirement and pension module of CASEN, a nationally representative study in Chile.
January 2024 Invited lecturer. Statistics Seminar for the Medical Doctoral Program, Universidad de la Frontera, Chile.
December 2023 Panelist at the second open school of the Red Chilena de Investigación en Salud y Migracion (RECHISAM), titled “Migración, cuidados y curso de la vida: Desafios para la equidad en salud en Chile y al Región”.
September 2022 Participation in the TVN show “Exploradores del átomo al cosmos”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWsM0aN-TzE
November 2023 Invited lecturer. Discussion around “Evidence-based public policy: openings and closings for the Chilean social work”. School of Social Work, Universidad San Sebastián.
May 2022 Interview in Radio ADN Chile, “Capacidad cognitive y emocional de los adultos mayores y pobreza”. https://ciss.umayor.cl/noticias/antonia-diaz-valdes-capacidad-cognitiva-de-los-adultos-mayores-y-pobreza
2021 Mi Causa in Mega TV Channel. Titled “Lo viejo es tu forma de mirarnos”. https://www.mega.cl/causas/lo-viejo-es-tu-forma-de-mirarlos/entrevistas/110109-trabajo-personas-adultos-experiencia.html

REPORT & RESEARCH BRIEFS
Crea, T. M., Diaz-Valdes, A., Lopez, A., & Acevedo, A. (2021). Final evaluation report: McGovern-Dole Food for Education Honduras Phase II. Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Honduras.
Crea, T. M., Diaz-Valdes, A., Lopez, A., & Acevedo, A. (2021). Final evaluation report: USDA Local and Regional Food Assistance Procurement Program (LRP). Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Honduras.
Crea, T. M., Reynolds, A. Lopez, A., Diaz-Valdes, A., & Acevedo, A. (2019). Midterm evaluation report: Food for Education Honduras Phase II. Tegucigalpa, Honduras: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Honduras.
Crea, T. M., Diaz-Valdes, A., Evans, K., & Campos, P. (2017). Final evaluation report: Food for Education “Learning for Life” Guatemala. Quetzeltenango, Guatemala: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Guatemala