Naty Lopez, PhD

Dr. Lopez is a nurse and counselor by training and has worked in various countries in the Pacific and East Asia prior to her coming to North America. She completed her doctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania in health professions education and served in the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine as Assistant Dean for International Relations, Co-Director of the Program for Advanced Standing Students (PASS), Co-Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Oral Infectious Diseases: Education, Research and Care, and counselor to minority and international students.

As the former Assistant Dean for Admissions and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the U of MN School of Dentistry, she created recruitment programs for underrepresented minority, rural, and disadvantaged students. Dr. Lopez received funding from the Health and Human Resources HRSA for the “Building Bridges to a Dental Career” program, a health career opportunity pipeline program and the Early Decision Rural Dentistry Track program through the MN Department of Health/HRSA.

Selected Grants

Award: Minnesota Rural Oral Health Program
Principal Investigator: Lopez, Naty
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2015 - 2021

Award: Advanced Nursing Education Grants
Principal Investigator: Avery, Melissa D
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2013 - 2015

Award: Building Bridges to a Dental Career - Early Decision Rural Dentistry Track
Principal Investigator: Lopez, Naty
Sponsoring Organization: MN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Award Dates: 2013 - 2015

Award: A New Resource for a New Future
Principal Investigator: Lopez, Naty
Sponsoring Organization: UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC
Award Dates: 2012 - 2013

Award: Health Careers Opportunity Program
Principal Investigator: Lopez, Naty
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2010 - 2014

Award: Early Decision Program Rural Dentistry Track
Principal Investigator: Lopez, Naty
Sponsoring Organization: MN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Award Dates: 2010 - 2012