Elizabeth Aparicio, assistant professor of behavioral and community health in the University of Maryland School of Public Health, received the 2022 ECPN John B. Reid Early Career Award from the Society for Prevention Research. This award is given to a professional who is early in their career but has demonstrated a passion for prevention science through outstanding contributions to research, policy, or practice.
Dr. Aparicio leads the Community THRIVES Lab and serves as Deputy Director for Clinical Training and Intervention and a core research scientist of the UMD Prevention Research Center. As a community-engaged, clinically trained public health social work researcher and scholar, Dr. Aparicio specializes in addressing the mental, sexual and reproductive health needs of youth in and formerly in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness. She brings the important lenses of trauma-informed care and the reproductive justice framework to inform and test mental health and sexual and reproductive health interventions for trauma-affected and marginalized children, youth and families.
Dr. Aparicio’s recent research includes a study exploring how to break cycles of violence and intergenerational trauma through integrating parenting and mental health programs for young mothers.