Alejandra Fernandez

Alejandra Fernandez, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Peter O’Donnell School of Public Health at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin, with postdoctoral training at the University of Miami funded by NIH NIDA. Her work focuses on understanding family functioning and its role in adolescent risk behaviors, particularly among Hispanic populations. Current NIH NHLBI-funded research examines multi-level factors influencing obesity risk behaviors in Hispanic youth using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology.

Education includes:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s: Texas A&M University
• Doctorate: University of Texas at Austin (201X)
• Postdoctoral Training: University of Miami (20XX)

Research interests emphasize:

• Family-based interventions targeting substance use, sexual health, and obesity prevention
• Ecological momentary assessment methodologies
• Socio-cultural determinants of health disparities
• Adverse childhood experiences and intergenerational health impacts

Recent work includes a NIH K01 grant addressing obesity risk factors among Hispanic adolescents through secondary data analysis of the ABCD study and pilot EMA protocols. Her intervention studies show promise in modifying family dynamics to improve health outcomes.

Her publications highlight innovative approaches to measuring real-time family interactions and developing culturally competent interventions. Over 20 peer-reviewed articles demonstrate expertise in adolescent development, health disparities, and behavioral health interventions.