Zarina Marquez, from El Paso, Texas, is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. She approaches life and work with the versatility of a well-crafted utility knife, and her cultural fluency is shaped by professional experience in Mexico, Europe, and South Africa.
Currently based at the University of York, Zarina is pursuing a research apprenticeship under Professor Paul Gready, Director of the Centre for Applied Human Rights (CAHR) and UNESCO Chair on Protecting Human Rights Defenders and the Expansion of Political Space. Her doctorate study is in exploring how local human rights networks operate within and adapt to global frameworks.
Her path to this work has been rooted in nearly two decades of direct service, shadow advocacy, and public-facing work in crisis intervention, market research, fundraising, planning and logistics for critical needs, and rigorous community engagement. Zarina brings precision, empathy, and cross-cultural insight to every project. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both human dignity and systemic impact, blending technical skill with a rare capacity for listening across difference.
As an artist, Zarina creates mixed‑media pieces—watercolor, digital, pen, and pencil. She transforms her pieces into thoughtfully designed items she’d be delighted to own herself, sharing her work with others who value the same personal touch. In her personal time she enjoys tidying up her living space, at-home spa days, and napping.
