Marlayna Martinez joined the Rocky Mountain Prevention Research Center (RMPRC) as a community research liaison for the San Luis Valley in 2018. As a resident and community member of the San Luis Valley, Marlayna is well positioned to help support community-based and community-engaged research in her region and facilitate connections, partnerships, and leverage resources for the benefit of community. She works within and across many sectors including non-profits, early childhood centers, K-12 schools, youth organizations, public health, primary care clinics, and others. Marlayna helps lead the RMPRC's Community Advisory Board in the San Luis Valley and also works as a professional research assistant on many projects with the Colorado School of Public Health.