Email
rlopez1@wpi.edu
Office
Salisbury Labs 317C
Affiliated Department or Office
Education
BA in Psychology, Princeton University, 2009
PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, Dartmouth College, 2017
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Translational Social Cognitive and Affective
Neuroscience, Rice University, 2019

Richard Lopez is an Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies at WPI. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, social neuroscience, and Open Science practices applied to functional neuroimaging. He also directs the Social Neuroscience of Affective Processes (SNAP) Lab. In the SNAP Lab, Professor Lopez and his students utilize tools in modern neuroscience (e.g., fMRI) and longitudinal modeling of behavior to better understand how human beings align their thoughts and emotions with goals they are pursuing—with the broader aim of enhancing health and wellbeing. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, running, and hiking.

John Templeton Foundation Blog
Beyond Screen Time: The Key Ingredients to Leading Better Digital Lives

Richard Lopez, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience, writes: “Instead of screen time, we should focus on underlying psychological factors that can predict whether a young person is likely to experience mental health challenges as they use social media.”