Sandy Oliver Lopez Najera

About Sandy Oliver Lopez Najera

Dr. Lopez is an accomplished educator and statistician with a diverse range of experiences spanning academia, research, and community engagement. At Chapman University, he excels as a lecturer in statistics and biostatistics for both undergraduate and graduate levels, specializing in courses like Math 203 Introduction to Statistics and Math 303 Biostatistics. Dr. Lopez is devoted to cultivating students as future statistical practitioners, imparting the tools they need for diverse applications in life, work, and research. He notably mentors non-STEM undergraduates to undertake data projects and present their research at the university\'s Student Research Symposium. Dr. Lopez\'s educational innovations encompass incorporating real industry examples, ethics, and human subjects\' protection into coursework, further enriching his students\' learning journey.In his capacity as a lecturer at the University of Southern California’s Online Masters in Public Health program, he imparts practical biostatistics skills to students while also fostering valuable industry connections.In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Lopez has demonstrated his expertise as a biostatistician at Integrium LLC, contributing to diverse clinical trials. His contributions range from study documentation and analysis methodologies using tools like SAS and R, to effectively communicating statistical findings to medical professionals, industry leaders, and investors. Notably, Dr. Lopez currently serves as a community board member at Southern California Kaiser\'s Institutional Review Board, leveraging his statistical acumen to ensure ethical research practices and human subject protection. Dr. Lopez passionately collaborates with non-profit organizations focused on high school students, working to seamlessly integrate their initiatives within the campus community. His unwavering dedication to supporting first-generation college students, especially those navigating undocumented status, underscores his commitment to comprehensive assistance. Furthermore, his influence extends through volunteer roles with notable non-profits like Achievement Institute for STEM Scholars, Hispanic Education Endowment Fund, and the Luevano Foundation.With a PhD in Biostatistics from USC, a Master\'s in Applied Math from CSUF, and a Bachelor\'s in Math and Computer Science from Chapman University, Dr. Lopez embodies a commitment to education, research, and community that resonates through every facet of his work.

Experience

1. Community Board Member

   Kaiser Permanente

   May 2014 — Present · Pasadena, CA, US

   My main responsibility is to safeguard the welfare of human research participants, ensuring the research\'s ethical integrity and fairness, and preventing any form of coercion. I meticulously evaluate submissions, including research proposals and protocols from diverse entities such as private research firms, pharmaceutical companies, cooperative groups, and device manufacturers. I focus on verifying the presence of robust safeguards for human subjects. This encompasses assessing protocols for observational and experimental studies, spanning phases I, II, and and involving various treatment types like pharmaceuticals, biological agents, and medical devices, across an array of diseases and conditions. Moreover, I play a crucial role in reviewing proposals for ongoing research, guaranteeing participant safety, well-being, and rights throughout the trial\'s entirety.In this capacity, I serve on the board as a Community Member, leveraging my expertise in statistical analysis and clinical research. My input significantly informs the review process for clinical trials involving experimental treatments and medical devices. I actively contribute to discussions around emerging research methodologies and their implications for ensuring the protection of human subjects.

Education

• Chapman University

  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

  2001 — 2005

• California State University, Fullerton

  Master of Arts (M.A.)

  2006 — 2008

• University of Southern California

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  2009 — 2016