Luz Marilis López

Clinical Professor, Director of Social Work & Public Health Dual Degree Program

Professor Luz Marilis López believes in strength-based and culturally responsive partnerships to advance health equity, social work, and public health practices around the globe. In addition to her role as a clinical professor, she is the director of the Social Work and Public Health Dual Degree Program at BUSSW. In partnership with BUSSW’s Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health (CISWH), she works in Nicaragua in collaboration with the Superemos Foundation domestic violence program, a Boston Medical Center and Dorchester House medical brigade, and the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua in Esteli (UNAN-FAREM), to conduct workshops on violence prevention, education, and trauma care. In Uganda, Dr. López is collaborating with the social work program at Makarere University to address the mental health needs of immigrants, refugees, and displaced persons—many survivors of war and sexual violence.

Dr. López is also a faculty affiliate with the Boston University Center for Forced Displacement and collaborates in their Border Studies Program at the border of Rio Grande Valley Texas and Mexico. She also conducts an annual summer cultural immersion course and research experience in Puerto Rico, where MSW students work with individuals who are homeless and in recovery from substance use. These students gain invaluable experience with outreach and community-based participatory research approaches for Latinx and other racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse groups.

Dr. López also serves as an advisory board member of the National Hispanic & Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network.

Specialties

• Global Health and Health Equity
• Anti-Violence and Trauma Care
• Public Health Social Work
• Substance use Prevention, Education, and Research
• Exploring Culture through Narrative Stories
• Community Participatory Strength-Based Practice & Group Work

Research Areas

Related News

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Forbes: Professor Luz López Shares Expertise on Care for Pregnant Women in ICE Custody
Luz Marilis López highlights growing concerns about the health and safety of pregnant immigrants, pointing to inadequate medical care, poor conditions in detention centers, and the risks of maternal–infant separation.
3 BUSSW Faculty Awarded Small Research Grants
Three faculty from Boston University School of Social Work (BUSSW) have been awarded small research grants to investigate critical social issues affecting marginalized communities. The funding is part of the school’s small grants program, an initiative launched by Prof. Ellen Devoe in 2022 and supported by then Dean Jorge Delva, to provide direct financial support […]
Latin Times: Professor López Recommends Steps for Undocumented Migrants Prior to Trump’s Presidential Term
As president elect Donald Trump prepares to take office in the coming weeks, experts urge undocumented migrants to plan for possible mass deportations from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Professor Luz López, a researcher focused on immigrant issues from BU School of Social Work, shared steps individuals and families can take to mitigate the impact […]

Education

BA (Social Sciences, Psychology minor)

University of Puerto Rico
MSW

State University of New York at Buffalo
MPH (International Public Health)

Tulane University
PhD (Social Work)

Tulane University

Courses

CP 759 Introduction to Clinical Social Work Practice
CP 760 Differential Social Work with Groups
CP 803 Clinical Practice and Trauma
CP 809 Alcoholism and Drug Abuse: Assessment and Treatment
Puerto Rico cultural immersion, Public Health Social Work Travel Course
HB752 Exploring Culture through Narratives: Human Behavior & Clinical Perspectives

Publications

López, L.,Vargas, E., *Hermanto, J. (2016). Group work with immigrants and refugees. In L.G. Greif & C. Knight (Eds). Group Work with Populations at Risk. Fourth Edition (pp. 201-220) New York: Oxford University Press.

Gonyea, J., López, L,*Velasquez, E. (2016) The Effectiveness of a Culturally Sensitive Cognitive Behavioral Group Intervention for Latino Alzheimer’s Caregivers. The Gerontologist (56) 292-302.

Amodeo, M., & López, L. M. (2013). Making effective referrals to Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12step programs. In R. Saitz (Ed.), Addressing unhealthy alcohol use in primary care (pp. 73-84), New York: Springer.

Zerden, L, López, L., & Lundgren, L. (2012). HIV prevention with Puerto Rican injection drug users. In K. C. Organista (Ed.), HIV Prevention with Latinos: Theory, Research and Practice. (pp. 383-403). New York: Oxford University Press.

López, L., & *Vargas E. (2011). En dos culturas: Group work with Latino immigrants and refugees. In L.G. Geoffrey & Ephross (Eds). Group Work with Populations at Risk. Third Edition (pp. 136-152) New York: Oxford University Press.

*Zerden, L., López, L., & Lundgren, L. (2010). Needle sharing of Puerto Rican injection drug users in a dual site study: Location matters. Substance Abuse and Misuse, 45(10), 1605-1622.

Amodeo, M., & López, L. (2010). Social work interventions with alcohol and other drug problems. In J. R. Brandell (Ed.), Theory and practice in clinical social work. (2nd Ed.) (pp. 525-559). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

López, L., *Zerden, L. Fitzgerald, T. & Lundgren, L. (2008) Capacity enhancement prevention model for Puerto Rican injection drug users in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. Evaluation and Program Planning 31(1), 64-73.

Amodeo, M. & López, L. (2008). Alcohol and other drug problems: Practice interventions. In T. Mizrahi & L. Davis (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Social Work (20th edition). New York: Oxford University Press.

Amaro, H., McGraw, S., Larson, M.J., López, L., Nieves, R., & Marshall, B. (2004). Boston Consortium of Services for families in recovery: A trauma-informed intervention model for women’s alcohol and drug addiction treatment. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 22(3/4), 95-119.

Sorensen W., López, L. & Anderson, P. (2001). Latino AIDS immigrants in the Western Gulf States: A different population and the need for innovative prevention strategies. Journal of Health and Social Policy, 13 (1), 1-19.

López, L, Varg López, L.M, Zerden, L. D., Bourgois, P., Hansen, H., Abadie, R., Dombrowski, K., & Curtis, R. (2014, November 13). HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rican people who inject drugs: Policy considerations. American Journal of Public Health, 104(11), 2030. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302114

*Denotes PhD or MSW student participation in publication

Presentations

López, L, Hermanto, Chassler, D, & Lundgren L. (2016). Substance abuse patterns in Puerto Rico: Lessons from a community based participatory research experience, American Public Health Association, Denver, Colorado.

López, L, Hermanto, Chassler, D, & Lundgren L. (2016). Heroin and Xylazine combined: A contributing factor to HIV risk behaviors in Puerto Rican drug users. Oral presentation at the annual conference, Society for Social Work and Research, Washington DC.

López, L and Mendoza (2015). A La Familia Bilingual Film and panel discussion. League of United Latin American Citizens. National Women’s Conference, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.

López L. Cultural immersion public health social work with focus on trauma and addiction. Autonomous University of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (2015).

Muroff J, & López L. A Smartphone Recovery Tool: The C.A.S.A. CHESS App for Latinos with Co-morbid Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. Boston University Women’s Guild, BU School of Medicine (2015).

López, L, Hermanto, J., Russ A, Chassler, D., & Lundgren, L. (2014). Injection of Xylazine mixed with heroin associated with poor health outcomes and HIV risk behaviors in Puerto Rico. Oral presentation at the national Addiction Health Services Research conference, Boston, Massachusetts.

López, L, Chassler, D, & Lundgren, L, (2014). Addiction, mental health and HIV prevention with Latinos: A global public health social work perspective. Oral presentation at the International Social Work Conference, Kampala, Uganda.

López, L, Chassler, D, & Lundgren, L. (2013). Cultural Experience in Addiction and HIV research with Latinos in Puerto Rico and the United States. Oral presentation at the International Consortium for Social Development, Kampala, Uganda.

López, L., Ross A., Williams, M., Chassler, D., & Lundgren, L. (2012). Injection of Xylazine: A contributing factor to HIV risk behaviors among Puerto Rican IV drug users. Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual conference, San Francisco, CA.

McLaughlin, D, Gianino, M., & López, L. (2012). In the here and now: Teaching and learning experiential group-work methods. Oral presentation at the Council on Social Work Education annual program meeting, Washington, DC.

López, L., Mehrotra, G, Lindhorst, T., & Edleson, J. (2011) Mothers fleeing to the US for safety due to domestic violence: Hague Convention cases & the Latinas’ perspective. Oral presentation at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual conference, Washington DC.

López, L, Sheehan, D., Chassler, D, Lundgren, L. MSW Students in Addiction Research with Latinos in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) conference, Oral Presentation, Portland, Oregon. October, 2010

Lindhorst, T., Edleson, J., López, L., Mehrotra, G. Battered Mothers and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Panel Presentation.Council on Social Work Education, Oregon. Oral Presentation, October 2010.

López, L., Vargas, E.,Chassler D., Lundgren, L. The use of drugs and reported HIV/AIDS status between homeless in Puerto Rico and the United States. Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, Metropolitan Campus, Puerto Rico. Oral Presentation, March 2010

López, L., Ross, A,. Chassler, D., & Lundgren L. Differences in mental health symptoms and attempted suicide among Puerto Rican drug users in Puerto Rico and Massachusetts. American Public Health Association, National Annual Conference, Oral Presentation, Philadelphia- November 2009.

López L., Chassler D., Horowitz A., & Lundgren, L. Factors associated with substance abuse treatment utilization for mainland and Island Puerto Rican active opiate users. Addiction Health Services Research, National Annual Conference, Poster presentation, San Francisco, CA. October 2009.

López L., Zerden L., Fitzgerald T., & Lundgren L. Puerto Rican injection drug users: Prevention implications in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. Addiction Health Services Research, National Annual Conference, Poster presentation, Boston, Massachusetts. October 2008.

López L., Fitzgerald T., & Lundgren L. Voices Boricuas: Health perspectives of injecting drug users in Puerto Rico and Massachusetts; American Public Health Association, National Annual Conference, Poster Presentation, San Diego, California. October 2008.

Zerden L., López L., & Lundgren L. Needle Sharing, HIV, and Acculturation: A Dual-Site Study of Puerto Rican Injection Drug Users. The Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse, (AMERSA), National Annual Conference, Oral presentation, Washington DC. November 2008.

López L., Zerden L., Fitzgerald T.,& Lundgren L. Puerto Rican injection drug users in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico – HIV, HCV and STDs. College on Problems of Drug Dependence, International Annual Conference, Poster presentation, San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 2008.

López, L., Zerden, L. Fitzgerald, T., & Lundgren, L. Differences in HIV risk behaviors and health status between Puerto Rican injection drug users residing on the Island and the United States mainland. American Public Health Association, National Annual Conference, Washington DC, Oral presentation, November, 2007.

López L, Zerden, L., Fitzgerald T., & Lundgren, L. Place of residence matters for Puerto Rican injection drug users in Massachusetts and Puerto Rico. Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse, National Annual Conference, Oral presentation, Washington DC. November 2007.

Grants

2016-2021 Principal Investigator, – Boston Medical Center & BU School of Social Work Primary Care Training and Enhancement. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services. (Co-PI, Betty Ruth). (Total BMC grant = $3,459,790). To BUSSW: $337,729.

2015-2018 Consultant, Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Interdisciplinary Training. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant in collaboration with BU School of Medicine. Assisted in developing an online course for social work students and other professionals. Developed script and video recording of SBIRT interviews in English and Spanish.

2013-2016 Consultant, Outcome Evaluation of Door-to-Door HIV Outreach for Latinas. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

2013-2016 Consultant, Smart-Phone Intervention to Reduce Relapse among Latinos in Residential Substance Abuse Treatment at Casa Esperanza, Inc. (PI: Jordana Muroff). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). Assisted with the Spanish translation and cultural adaptation of the smart phone applications and educational materials; supervision of the bilingual research assistant. Reviewed and edited documents in English and Spanish.

2008-2013 Principal Investigator, Outcome Evaluation of Tapestry Health La Voz: Prevention of Substance Abuse and HIV for Latino Reentry Program in Springfield, Massachusetts. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP). (Co-PI: Lena Lundgren). $337,333.

2008-2013 Co-Principal Investigator, Outcome Evaluation of Tapestry Health HIV/AIDS & Substance Abuse Division; La Voz: Treatment for Homeless. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration. (PI: Lena Lundgren) $400,000

2006-2015 Principal Investigator, Voices Boricuas: Injecting Drug Users, HIV Risk Behaviors and Prevention in the Island of Puerto Rico. Funded by Boston University School of Social Work: Dean’s grant, $20,000

Professional Activities and Certifications

2014-Present Co-facilitator, 8-weeks Women of Color Support Group (Fall & Spring). The Meeting Point–3464 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA.

2012-present Expert Panel Member and Consultant, National Hispanic and Latino Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), Hispanic ATTC Network, Universidad Central del Caribe Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Provided input on educational materials for Latinos.

2014-2015 Member, Planning Committee for the Inter-Professional Health Care Symposium, Wheelock College, Boston, MA. Represented the Boston University School of Social Work. Members include representatives from Massachusetts Schools of Social Work, Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center, Tufts University and nursing programs in the Boston area.

2013 – 2017 Member, Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)

2011 – 2014 Executive Board Member, National Association of Social Workers, MA Chapter

2010-present Member of the Public Health Social Work national working group (PHSW)

2007 – 2015 Member, Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse

2006-present Member, International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG).

2005-present Member, Council on Social Work Education

2005-present Member, American Public Health Association

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Awards and Honors

Awards

2016: Outstanding Contribution to Boston University School of Social Work, Annual Alumni Awards Program, Boston University, Boston, MA

2015: Fellow, The Partnership Leadership Fellows Program. Selected for a one-year mid-career leadership program. This is designed to strengthen the racial and ethnically diverse leadership in Boston and the State of Massachusetts. https://www.thepartnershipinc.org/ Dr. López was sponsored by the BU Office of Human Resources and School of Social Work.

May 2010: Women of Courage Award for contributions to Education in Massachusetts. La Alianza Hispana, Boston, Massachusetts

May 2009: Staff Excellence Award, Casa Esperanza Substance Abuse Program For groundbreaking work in the addiction field and commitment to the staff and residents.

June 2005: Training Fellowship, National Hispanic Science Research Summer Institute. Houston,Texas. Funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes ofHealth (NIH).

July 2005Training Fellowship, Family Research Consortium, Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institutes of Health, New Orleans

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