ALAS Lab

ALAS (Advocating, Liberating, and Supporting Survivors) Lab

All research projects are funded by Boston University, Yale University and/or NIH.

These are three main projects that are currently funded. (Refer to below for descriptions). The lab is led and founded by Dr. López.

MEET THE RESEARCH TEAM!!!

Dr. López (he/el/ele) – (PHD, MSW, LCSW) Founder and PI.

Dr. López was nominated for “Supervisor of the Year in 2025” and received an award for “outstanding dedication and leadership to student employees” by Boston University. He is PI or Co-PI of all projects. He founded ALAS in 2025 and co-founded MenTalK Lab in 2024.

Jerry Fu (he/him), MSW (PhD Student)

Rhea Dcunha (she/her) – (MPH Candidate)

Rhea Dcunha is a Master of Public Health student specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Boston University, with a strong foundation in statistical programming, clinical research, and public health data analysis. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and has experience as a Graduate Research Assistant at the ALAS lab, where she conducts screening and recruiting study participants, literature reviews, and healthcare disparities research. Previously, she worked as a Clinical Documentation Specialist, improving patient data accuracy and clinical workflows, and as an intern at MGM Dental College & Hospital, providing care in public health centers. Passionate about leveraging data-driven approaches to improve health outcomes, Rhea is particularly dedicated to addressing health disparities in underserved populations.

Xavier Price-Kirkham (he/him) – (M.S. Candidate)

Xavier is graduate student at Boston University pursuing a dual degree in Medical Sciences and Public Health, with a concentration in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. He aspires to medical school and use my training to advance health equity and improve outcomes for underserved communities. His medical thesis advisor is Dr. Lopez. He works with ALAS and MenTalK labs.

Marcus Shaw (he/him) – (MSW Candidate, Clinical)

Marcus Shaw is a third year MSW clinical student at Boston University School of Social Work and earned his Bachelor’s degree at Dartmouth College studying African, and African American Studies. Marcus currently interns at Essence of Pearls Counseling where he works with BIPOC clients from ages 8-48 in individual, family, and couples context. Marcus supports his clients in navigating their traumatic life experiences and achieving their goals through a liberation, strengths based, psychodynamic, narrative, and mindful approach. He works with the ALAS, MenTalK labs and is also involved in the Yale NIH study.

Advisors:

Current Lab Projects:

BU CTSI And Woodnext Foundation – Enhancing Black Men’s Mental Health

Yale University and NIH – Black MSM Male Sexual Assault Survivors – CIRA HIV Pilot Grant

BU CISS – Medical Care Provision for Black and/or Latino GBM Survivors