Maria A. Lopez-Olivo, M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Department of Health Services Research, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Director, Department of Cochrane US Affiliate The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
I am a health services researcher specializing in evidence synthesis and knowledge translation, with a focus on autoimmune diseases, rheumatic conditions, and their associations with cancer. My work applies systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and evidence appraisal to support clinical guideline development and healthcare decision-making. As the Director of Cochrane Activities at MD Anderson, I oversee systematic review initiatives and mentor researchers in evidence synthesis methodologies. My knowledge translation efforts have focused on developing and evaluating educational tools for patients and summarizing evidence for healthcare providers through Cochrane summaries. I have also conducted environmental scans of online health resources and assessed physician perspectives on clinical practices to enhance the accessibility and usability of synthesized evidence in clinical settings.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2005 | Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, US, Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology |
| 2003 | Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MX, M.S. in Pharmacology |
| 2001 | Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, MX, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2022-2022 | Early Investigator Advancement Program, National Cancer Institute Equity and Inclusion Program |
| 2021-2021 | Mentorship and Leadership on Cancer-related Health Disparities Program, National Cancer Institute Awardee Skills Development Consortium, Houston, Texas |
| 2021-2021 | Academic Career Skills: Leadership, Collaboration, and Resilience, National Cancer Institute Awardee Skills Development Consortium, Houston, Texas |
| 2020-2020 | Training Institute for Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer, The National Cancer Institute Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Houston, Texas |
| 2016-2018 | Certificate, Foundational Aspects of Medical Decision Making, Core Course Curriculum, Society for Medical Decision Making |
| 2008-2010 | Certificate, Clinical Research, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas |
| 2006-2010 | Postdoctoral Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2005-2006 | Research Fellowship, Health Services Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 2002-2005 | Residency, Rheumatology-Research, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jalisco |
| 2001-2002 | Certificate, Toxicology, Colegio de Toxicologia del Estado de Jalisco, Guadalajara, Jalisco |
| 2000-2001 | Certificate, Bioethics, Centro Universitario en Ciencias de la Salud, Guadalajara, Jalisco |
| 1999-2000 | Clinical Internship, Secretaria de Salud, Guadalajara, Jalisco |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Services Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2021
Assistant Professor, Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2019
Instructor, Department of General Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2013
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, Development of the ACR/EULAR classification criteria for Immune Related Inflammatory Arthritis, OMERACT, Houston, Texas, 2022 - Present
Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Department Wellness Leads, 2024 - Present
Member, Executive Committee of the Faculty Senate (ECFS), 2023 - Present
Member, Mid-Career Faculty Committee, 2023 - Present
Senator, MD Anderson Cancer Center Faculty Senate, 2022 - Present
Member, MD Anderson Cancer Center Faculty Senate Risk Detection and Outcomes Program MD Anderson’s Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), 2022 - Present
Member, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences Diversity and Inclusion Initiative - Advisory Committee, 2020 - 2023
Member, Institutional Review Board 2 Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - 2013
Member, Psychosocial, Behavioral, and Health Services Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012 - 2015
Member, Division of Internal Medicine Research Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2010 - 2012
Member, Bioethics and Research Committee, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social Hospital General Regional 110, 2002 - 2004
Honors & Awards
| 2026 - 2027 | National Researcher Level 1, CONACyT – Mexican Council for Science and Technology |
| 2024 | Poster Finalist 2024 Professional Development Workshop, National Cancer Institute |
| 2022 | Nominated for the 2022 Leading Mentor in Cancer Prevention Award, Cancer Prevention Research Training Program |
| 2021 | Division of Cancer Prevention Distinguished Paper Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2016 | Finalists for the Trainee Excellence in Research Poster Award and Finalists for the Staff Excellence in Research Poster Award, 2016 Cancer Survivorship Research Symposium |
| 2016 | Best Research Abstract at the Perioperative Cancer Anaesthesia Conference, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust |
| 2015 | Poster Finalist, Division of Internal Medicine Research Retreat |
| 2014 - 2022 | National Researcher Level 2, CONACyT - Mexican Council for Science and Technology |
| 2013 | Best Research Project, Kelsey Seybold Research Foundation |
| 2012 | Division of Internal Medicine's Distinguished Paper Award of the Quarter, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2011 - 2013 | National Researcher Level 1, CONACyT – Mexican Council for Science and Technology |
| 2011 | Department of General Internal Medicine Educator of the Year, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2008 | Bursary Award, SPondyloArthritis Research & Treatment Network |
| 2008 | Bursary Award, American College of Rheumatology |
| 2007 | Best Research Project in Clinical Aspects and Treatment, European League Against Rheumatism |
| 2007 | Best Research Project in Rheumatology, Mexican College of Rheumatology |
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | Methods Training for Comparative Effectiveness Research in Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | R25CA257883 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | Patterns of E-cigarette use and attitudes among cancer survivors |
| Funding Source: | Survivorship IRG |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2021 - 2025 |
| Title: | Effects of Biologic and Targeted Therapies for Rheumatoid Arthritis on Cancer Outcomes |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAMS |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | 5R01AR078484 |
| Date: | 2020 - 2026 |
| Title: | Improving decision-making in patients with resectable melanoma and pre-existing autoimmune disease considering immune checkpoint inhibition |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | K08CA237619 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 07, 2025