Aaron Castillo (he/him/his) is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Identity. Originally from Harlingen, Texas, Aaron is Mexican-American and works to include his identity in every aspect of his life. At Brown, he is pursuing an engaged scholarship certificate in “critical research methods” to understand how to conduct equitable research within communities. Aaron is a student in the Program for Liberal Medical Education (PLME) at Brown and hopes to become a psychiatrist studying food psychology, promoting HAES (Health at Every Size), and practicing weight-neutral care. In his free time, Aaron likes watching Netflix, baking, and spending time with friends.

Project:

I aim to explore how Providence’s food culture has been shaped by immigrants moving into the city, as well as how the city’s culture and policies have shaped their experience. In conducting interviews with community members I will record oral histories of their/their families' past, learn of recipes that hold significance in their life, and hear about their connection to food. These interviews will serve as the basis for my thesis project, which will synthesize these narratives in the form of a cookbook with essays documenting the recipes of immigrant and refugee communities. The project provides a tangible element that these communities can use to promote businesses, hold memories, and see themselves represented.