Dr. Fernández-Rhodes is a trained epidemiologist with experience in the areas of Genetic, Epigenetic, and Social Epidemiology. Her interdisciplinary research program seeks to 1) elucidate the complex etiology of chronic diseases, and 2) identify drivers of health disparities in the United States, both across the life course and across generations. To this aim, she leads a vibrant lab that conducts bio-psychosocially integrated studies of reproductive and cardiovascular traits in under-studied and marginalized populations, such as United States Hispanic/Latino immigrants and their families. They use a variety of traditional epidemiologic and family-based genetic methods to describe the intergenerational patterning of genetic, epigenetic and societal risk factors and their cumulative impact on health across the life course.

Dr. Fernández-Rhodes teaches a number of courses/workshops in epidemiologic, research methods. In addition, she is actively involved in educational opportunities that promote diversity & inclusion in higher education.