Carla Donoso Orellana

Carla Donoso Orellana studied Social Anthropology at the University of Chile and obtained a Master’s degree in Medical Anthropology at the University of Amsterdam in 2003, where she graduated with honors. Since 2005 she holds a position as assistant professor at the University of Concepción, Chile.

From 1998 to 2000 she worked as research assistant at the Interdisciplinary Program on Gender Studies at the University of Chile, where she took part in several research projects with a particular focus on gender and sexuality. From 2000 to 2002 she worked  for “Vivo Positivo” the National Organization of People living with HIV/AIDS in Chile, where she did research on sexuality, healthcare and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS. She was also in charge of supporting the development of organizations of women living with HIV.

She has also worked for the United Movement of Sexual Minorities of Chile (MUMS) in two research projects “Study of the Acceptability of Male Condom Among Men Who Have Sex With Men” (2004-2005) and more recently “Study of Sexual Behavior and Sexual  Health of Homosexual, Lesbian  and Bisexual Populations in Valparaíso, Bío-Bío and Metropolitan Region” (2008-2009).  She has published several articles and books in Chile, mainly presenting theoretical reflections and research results in the field of anthropology of gender and sexuality.

Her PhD research project focuses on the use of hormonal replacement therapies among menopausal women in Latin America, where she intends to analyze the way gender and body constructions intersect with biomedical technology, taking into account the discourses of women themselves, as well as those of the feminist movement and the biomedical community.

Her PhD trajectory is funded by the Academic Training Fellowship of University of Concepción.