Geography graduate student explores Indigenous health in Peru

When Chrishma Perera arrived in Peru’s Satipo region in February, she was greeted by heavy rains, flooding, and landslide warnings.

But these natural hazards are stark realities that Indigenous communities can face in the region.

It was also why Perera, a Sri Lankan graduate student in the Department of Geography at Virginia Tech, was in Peru.

Her research, supported by a grant from the Soulsby Foundation for One Health, United Kingdom, focuses on how Indigenous communities respond to health risks through their connections to the rainforest. She worked with two local researchers, Elida De La Cruz and Andrea Valdivia Gago, to document how traditional knowledge shapes health practices among the Asháninka people in the Satipo region.

“This research examines what health means to Indigenous communities,” said Perera, who is part of the Indigenous Resilience and Innovation Lab and was named an Outstanding Graduate Student. “For them, maintaining health isn’t just about taking medicine – it’s about maintaining a deep connection to their traditions and the rainforest.”

Accompanied by a Spanish-speaking researcher and an Indigenous research assistant, she conducted 15 interviews across three communities. Communication required multiple layers of translation, as some villagers preferred their native language while some spoke Spanish.

One interview, conducted with a 74-year-old woman, illustrated the depth of Indigenous environmental knowledge. As the ground trembled beneath them, the research team froze, but the Indigenous elder calmly explained that it was a natural sign of an impending landslide. She pointed to the distant sound of a ceremonial horn – community members were already performing traditional rituals to request protection from Mother Nature.

“These experiences really underscored the importance of Indigenous knowledge in responding to environmental risks,” Perera said.

Perera’s work builds on her master’s thesis at Virginia Tech, which examines gaps between health policies and Indigenous communities’ health needs. While previous studies focused on Indigenous health policies at a broader level, she wanted to engage directly with communities. This hands-on approach led her to partner with OMIAASEC, an Indigenous women’s organization working on women's empowerment, education, economic opportunities, and healthcare access.

“My goal is to bridge the gap between health policy and community needs,” Perera said. “Indigenous communities need to have a voice in shaping health interventions.”

Her findings revealed that community organizations play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. A unique characteristic is the intergenerational exchange of knowledge, where older members contribute expertise in traditional medicine and forest resources, while younger individuals leverage modern technology, including social media and digital storytelling, to advocate for communities’ health needs.

Beyond publishing her research, Perera is committed to giving back to the community. She plans to submit a report to OMIAASEC and continue working with the organization in applying for grants to support its initiatives.

Perera’s experience in Peru also reinforced her own resilience. Travel disruptions, cultural adjustments, and environmental hazards tested her adaptability, but she found strength in collaboration.

“This fieldwork experience has been transformative,” Perera said. “It has shaped how I approach research and deepened my commitment to working with Indigenous communities.”

As she prepares to graduate in May, Perera is already looking ahead to future research opportunities. With a background in climate science and policy, she hopes to continue investigating how Indigenous knowledge can inform sustainable health interventions in vulnerable communities.

“Indigenous communities have been adapting to multiple stressors for generations,” Perera said. “There’s so much we can learn from them.”