David Lopez, DrPH, M.P.H., M.S. - Faculty Profile

Biography

My research program is at the intersection of cancer epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, causal inference, and advanced epidemiologic methods, with a particular focus on underserved and understudied populations. I apply rigorous methodological approaches, including target trial emulation, to investigate the etiology and progression of obesity-related cancers and chronic diseases among cancer survivors. My research focuses on the impact of obesity, and its treatments, including anti-obesity medications (e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist- GLP-1 RA), repurposed medications (e.g., metformin, statins and testosterone replacement therapy), and bariatric surgery on cancer risk, progression and survivorship outcomes. I have led studies leveraging large-scale real-world data sources, including SEER-Medicare, electronic health records, and claims databases, to advance understanding of obesity-, hormonal-, and cardiometabolic-related cancer outcomes. I have established a highly productive collaborative research program that has generated multiple high-impact publications and novel evidence on GLP-1 receptor agonists, bariatric surgery, and obesity-related cancers.

Education

Graduate School: (2007)

Research Interest

Cancer Epidemiology, Epidemiologic Methods, Pharmacoepidemiology, Target Trial Emulation, Causal Inference

Publications

Featured Publications

Racial/ethnic disparities in the association of environmental exposure to phthalates and bisphenols mixtures with diabetes mellitus: NHANES 2013-2016.: Hernández-Pérez JG, Valenzuela-Sánchez A, López DS, Torres-Sánchez L, Arch Environ Occup Health 2025 Mar 1-13
Incidence of prostate, colorectal and male breast cancers in relation with statins and testosterone replacement therapy: SEER-Medicare 2007-2015.: Abdelgadir O, Hussain MR, Polychronopoulou E, Tsilidis KK, Alzweri L, Villasante-Tezanos A, Baillargeon J, Canfield S, Kuo YF, Lopez DS, Cancer Epidemiol 2024 Oct 92 102633
Association of electronic-cigarette, number of cigarettes, and marijuana use with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among men and women: A cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative sample.: David SV, Villasante-Tezanos A, Bustamante G, Agana-Norman DFG, Amith M, Martinez J, Cano MÁ, Torres-Sánchez LE, Rodriguez AM, Lopez DS, Ann Epidemiol 2024 Sep 97 52-61
Association of total and free testosterone with cardiovascular disease in a nationally representative sample of white, black, and Mexican American men.: Lopez DS, Taha S, Gutierrez S, Villasante-Tezanos A, Khalife WI, Alzweri L, Markides K, Baillargeon J, Tsilidis KK, Int J Impot Res 2024 Jun 36 4 385-393
Association of serum testosterone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a nationally representative sample of White, Black, and Hispanic men.: David SV, Gibson D, Villasante-Tezanos A, Alzweri L, Hernández-Pérez JG, Torres-Sánchez LE, Baillargeon J, Lopez DS, Hormones (Athens) 2024 Mar 23 1 153-162
Association of sleep duration and quality with serum testosterone concentrations among men and women: NHANES 2011-2016.: Hernández-Pérez JG, Taha S, Torres-Sánchez LE, Villasante-Tezanos A, Milani SA, Baillargeon J, Canfield S, Lopez DS, Andrology 2024 Mar 12 3 518-526
Evaluating the impact of pre-diagnostic use of statins and testosterone replacement therapy on mortality outcomes in older men with hormone-related cancers: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare 2007-2015.: Hussain MR, Abdelgadir O, Polychronopoulou E, Tsilidis KK, Alzweri L, Villasante-Tezanos A, Baillargeon J, Canfield S, Kuo YF, Lopez DS, Andrology 2024 Feb
Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Relation With Cardiovascular Disease in Cisgender Women and Transgender People.: Lopez DS, Mulla JS, El Haddad D, Tahashilder MI, Polychronopolou E, Baillargeon J, Kuo YF, Gilani S, Khalife WI, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023 Nov 108 12 e1515-e1523
Use of weight loss medications in relation with prostate, colorectal and male breast cancers among older men: SEER-Medicare 2007-2015.: Lopez DS, Kim H, Polychronopoulou E, Torres-Sanchez LE, Villasante-Tezanos A, Baillargeon J, Canfield S, Kuo YF, J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023 Sep 149 11 8255-8265
Metformin and testosterone replacement therapy inversely associated with hormone-associated cancers (prostate, colorectal and male breast cancers) among older White and Black men.: Lopez DS, Malagaris I, Polychronopoulou E, Tsilidis KK, Milani SA, Kristen Peek M, Villasante-Tezanos A, Alzweri L, Baillargeon J, Kuo YF, Canfield S, Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2022 Dec 97 6 792-803