Franklin Aucapina

Franklin Aucapina is a Research and Development Assistant at the New York Hall of Science. He has contributed to research studies involving museum visitors, staff, and local partners by conducting interviews, co-leading focus groups, and documenting key findings.

His work focuses on achieving STEAM education equity in informal learning settings and establishing culturally relevant practices when working with colleagues and the local community. Franklin was also previously an Explainer with four years of experience facilitating several hands-on, interactive exhibits and activities for visitors.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Psychology from Hunter College and is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health at the CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy.

Franklin Aucapina will be speaking at the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit 2025 :

Co-designing with Youth: Community Informed Public Health Museum Experiences

The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the health inequities present in communities across the U.S., especially among underserved communities of color. While the public health workforce is becoming more diverse with nearly 50 percent of public health professionals identifying as people of color in 2021, gaps remain in building culturally responsive health interventions and broad awareness about activating public health initiatives as a pathway toward community wellness. Learn about how museums can center community needs and engage youth in the co-design of public health programming and exhibits that foster community health and wellbeing.