Itziar Familiar-Lopez, MD, MPH, PhD

Dr. Familiar is a Medical Doctor from Mexico City with a Master’s in Public Health (National School of Public Health, Spain), and a PhD in Mental Health (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA). Dr. Familiar’s research focuses on global mental health issues, specifically in assessing depression and anxiety among adults in conflict-affected settings and in HIV-affected women, monitoring and evaluation of mental health interventions, and assessment of child neurodevelopment. She has conducted research in a wide range of countries (Uganda, Malawi, DR Congo, South Africa, Mexico, Nicaragua) ranging from qualitative studies to randomized clinical trials testing interventions. Dr. Familiar publishes extensively on mental health in international contexts including psychological distress, maternal mental health, and mental health issues in people living with HIV in top journals and regularly attends meetings to disseminate results. Her current projects focus on evaluating long-term impacts in mental health of a parenting skills program in DR Congo, and in testing interventions that support  the psychological well-being of children and women affected by HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.