Kiara Lyons

Kiara Lyons, Ph.D., is a Presidential Postdoctoral Scholar in the College of Health Solutions and joined their Maternal and Child Health Translational Research Team (MCHTRT) at the start of 2023. Dr. Lyons chose her profession as an maternal and child health epidemiologist because it allowed her to see the bigger picture of the health burdens our society faces, while being a voice for the historically and intentionally excluded. Meeting those in need where they are is her priority. Dr. Lyons's research interest focuses on mental and behavioral health among children and adolescents, with specific interests in MCH equity, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs). Her passion includes going back to the foundation of epidemiological research and re-evaluating surveillance and methodological efforts in examining mental health among children and adolescents, and families. Additionally, Dr. Lyons is an advocate for improving fatherhood support in the MCH field. An important long-term goal of Dr. Lyons is to help improve the relationships between public health practice, research, and communities in efforts to appropriately bridge gaps in MCH equity.