Valencia is broadly interested in the social determinants of health and social injustice leading to health inequities among migrant and Latine populations. Her work examines the health outcomes of those in the immigration and/or detention system and human rights violations at the U.S./Mexico border. She is an advocate for the St. Louis migrant community through non-profit and student-led organizations and is pushing for policy that supports this community. Her research focuses on migrant experiences including economic integration, conceptions of success, and health outcomes. As a public health student, she is interested in the intersections of social work, health, epidemiology, sociology, political science, biostatistics, biology, and medicine.