Ana Abraido-Lanza
Ana Abraído-Lanza | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | New York University (BA), City University of New York Graduate Center (MA, PhD) |
| Occupation(s) | Behavioral psychologist, professor |
| Years active | –present |
| Employer | New York University School of Public Health |
| Known for | Research on cultural and systemic influences on Latino health; Vice Dean at NYU School of Public Health |
Ana Abraído-Lanza is a behavioral psychologist based in the United States and a faculty member at New York University. Her scholarly work concentrates on the cultural and systemic influences impacting mental and physical health within Latino populations. She currently holds the position of Vice Dean at the School of Public Health.
Early life and education
Abraído-Lanza obtained her bachelor's degree in psychology from New York University. She pursued graduate studies at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, where she completed both her master's and doctoral degrees. Her dissertation focused on the relationships between social role identity, social support, and psychological wellbeing among Hispanic women. Following her PhD, she undertook postdoctoral training in Medical Epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
Research and career
During her tenure at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, Abraído-Lanza held a professorship in Sociomedical Sciences. She directed the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD), which initiated a doctoral program in 2008 aimed at enhancing diversity within medical fields. Additionally, she was recognized as a Provost Leadership Fellow.
In 2018, she transitioned to New York University's School of Public Health, assuming the roles of Vice Dean and Professor specializing in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her research explores cultural resilience contributing to the Latino mortality paradox, a phenomenon where Latino groups demonstrate lower death rates despite facing socioeconomic disadvantages. She emphasizes how structural racism—especially factors such as conditional citizenship status and perceived belonging—shapes health outcomes for immigrant communities.
Abraído-Lanza has contributed significantly to academic publishing through editorial board memberships with journals like Health Education and Behavior, Annals of Behavioral Medicine, International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, and Preventing Chronic Disease. Her leadership extends to scientific, professional, and nonprofit organizations including the Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools. Moreover, she has played an active role in community health initiatives such as the CDC’s Community Task Force on Preventive Services, projects led by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and various National Institutes of Health review panels that influence research directions related to Latino health.
Awards and honors
- Dalmas A. Taylor Distinguished Contributions Award (2008)
- Provost Leadership Fellowship (2013)
- Teaching Excellence Award from Mailman School of Public Health
- Student Assembly Public Health Mentoring Award (2017)
Selected publications
- “Ana Abraído-Lanza.” The Columbia School of Social Work, socialwork.columbia.edu/faculty-research/faculty/full-time/ana-abraido-lanza/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
- “DIRC20 Presenter: Ana Abraido-Lanza.” DIRC, dirc.info/presenter-anaabraidolanza. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.
- “New Faculty: Dr. Ana F. Abraído-Lanza | NYU School of Global Public Health.” Publichealth.nyu.edu, publichealth.nyu.edu/events-news/news/2018/09/07/new-faculty-dr-ana-f-abraido-lanza. Accessed 20 Mar. 2024.