Research Areas

Dr. Lopez's research interests include the traumatic effects of adversities on children, families, and communities. Her areas of expertise include maternal/child health, community assessment, and qualitative research methods. Dr. Lopez works with communities and vulnerable populations to identify health issues of concern and to develop solutions from within the community. She has more than twenty-five years experience engaging community and vulnerable populations in research and advocacy and developing strategic partnerships and action-oriented collaboratives to address health disparities and improve outcomes for children and families. Currently, Dr. Lopez is leading a research initiative designed to evaluate maternal support programs for mothers of newborns and infants; conducting an assessment of the health and medical needs of children in foster care, and bringing to scale a community-based early brain/language development program in underserved communities.