Russ Lopez, a native of California, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Earth Sciences from Stanford University and his Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. His doctorate is from the Department of Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health His research interests include urban environmental health and the role of the cities, neighborhoods, and the structure of the built environment in public health outcomes. Current and past studies include the role of neighborhood in long-term diet and exercise interventions, the influence of schoolyard renovations on student test scores and association between the neighborhood built environment and obesity. Dr. Lopez has published articles on the health effects of racial segregation, income inequality and urban sprawl. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Environmental Health at the Boston University School of Public Health.