Sharon E. Loza

Dr. Sharon E. Loza is an Adjunct Professor at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Division of Child and Family Well-Being and Part C Director of the Early Intervention Section at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Her work focuses on early childhood systems development, developmental delays identification, and improving child and family well-being through policy and practice.

Education:

• PhD in Leadership, Policy, and Human Development (North Carolina State University)
• MA in Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support (UNC-Chapel Hill)
• BA in Psychology and French (UNC-Chapel Hill)

Research Interests: Dr. Loza specializes in early childhood mental health, equitable access to early intervention services, workforce development in public health, and bridging research to policy. She collaborates globally with UNICEF and international ministries to enhance early childhood systems and supports evidence-based practices for vulnerable families.

Awards: Recognized as a Fellow with the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations and an Act Early Ambassador for the CDC’s developmental delays initiative. These roles highlight her national and international impact in early childhood advocacy.

Advising & Grants: While specific grants are not detailed, her career includes extensive technical assistance, project management, and policy evaluation roles. She has collaborated with institutions like the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and RTI International, focusing on systems improvement and child outcomes.

Labs/Teams: Active in the North Carolina Infant-Toddler Program (NC ITP) and the Gillings School’s Maternal and Child Health department. Engages with global teams via UNICEF’s research initiatives and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations.