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Lauren Alvis

Helping organizations promote health equity through data-driven solutions.

Email:

Location:

Houston, TX

Home Town:

San Antonio, TX

Ethnic Identity:

Mixed, Latina and White

Pronouns:

she/her/hers

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About

I am a developmental psychologist and applied researcher who helps organizations use data to answer meaningful questions, strengthen services, and improve real world outcomes. My work combines advanced statistical methods with a deep understanding of human development to:

  1. design data systems & measurement strategies

  2. conduct research and program evaluation

  3. translate findings into practical insights that inform decision-making and action.

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Current Role

As Senior Director of Research at the Trauma & Grief Center, I lead and support research projects that aim to increase access to culturally responsive care for youth impacted by trauma or loss. I work closely with practitioners, organizational leaders, and community stakeholders to identify information needs, evaluate programs and services, and translate data into strategies that strengthen decision-making and improve support for children and families. I also develop data systems, dashboards, and streamlined reporting tools that help organizations monitor outcomes and continuously improve their work.

Research Interests

My research examines how experiences such as trauma, grief, and discrimination interact with the social contexts in which young people grow and develop. I am particularly interested in identifying the strengths, relationships, and resources that promote wellbeing and healing; understanding the factors that contribute to mental health disparities; and generating evidence that helps communities and service systems better support youth and families.

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Personal Life

When I'm not crunching numbies and wrangling datasets, I enjoy embracing the hot, humid Houston weather by exploring the city on my Harley. 

Timeline

May 2020 - December 2020

May 2019 - May 2020

May 2019

May 2016

May 2014

Postdoctoral Quantitative Research Associate

Institute for Research on Youth Thriving and Evaluation, Montclair State University, NJ

Advisors: Drs. Jennifer Urban and Miriam Linver

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Trauma and Grief Center, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital , TX

Advisor: Dr. Julie Kaplow

Ph.D. Lifespan Developmental Psychology, with specialization in Advanced Quantitative Statistics

West Virginia University, WV

Dissertation: Distinguishing beliefs about social inequality: Associations among dimensions of critical consciousness

M.S. Lifespan Developmental Psychology

West Virginia University, WV

Thesis: Helping others vs. fixing the system: Distinguishing facets of adolescents’ civic reasoning

B.A. Psychology

The University of Alabama, AL

Minor: Human Development

January 2024 - Present

December 2021 - December 2023​

December 2020 - December 2021

Senior Director of Research

The Trauma and Grief Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Houston, TX

Director of Research

The Trauma and Grief Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Houston, TX

Research Psychologist 

The Trauma and Grief Center at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Houston, TX

Let's Connect!

If you’re passionate about using data to create meaningful change and would like to collaborate on human-centered projects, I’d love to connect!

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