Dr. Luis R. Alvarez-Hernandez, PhD, MSW, LICSW

Dr. Luis R. Alvarez-Hernandez is a queer Puerto Rican social work researcher, educator, and practitioner. He started his studies in social work in Puerto Rico and eventually completed a BSW from Dalton State College and an MSW with a Clinical Concentration and a PhD in Social Work, both from the University of Georgia. He also has had the opportunity to engage in global social work experiences in various Latin American countries.

Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez is a community-engaged scholar, centering the transformational possibilities of iteratively linking research, community, and practice. His research focuses on the structural and social determinants of health of Latine, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities with a particular attention to the liberatory experiences of people living at the intersections of these identities. Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez is the author of the award-winning book, "See Me! Gay and Trans Latinos' Testimonios on Mental Health, Discrimination, and Joy in South Texas." His work is informed by over 10 years of experience as a bilingual (English and Spanish) clinical social worker in mental health and integrated healthcare settings, and by critical and feminist theories. He teaches graduate courses related to clinical practice, critical theories, and interventions with marginalized groups.

Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez is currently an Assistant Professor at Boston University, School of Social Work, Department of Clinical Practice. He is also Core Faculty at Boston University, Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEID). Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez leads the CoHeal Lab.

Relevant Links

• Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez's publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=W5srUOcAAAAJ&hl=en&inst=16374138255100442520 

• Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez's institutional page for Boston University, School of Social Work: https://www.bu.edu/ssw/profile/luis-r-alvarez-hernandez/

• Dr. Alvarez-Hernandez's institutional page for Boston University, Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases:  https://www.bu.edu/ceid/about-the-center/team/luis-alvarez-hernandez-phd-msw/