Lucrecia Mena-Meléndez, PhD, MA (she/her/ella) is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center. Dr. Mena-Meléndez is a bilingual, bicultural sociologist, demographer, and population health scientist whose research examines how structural, cultural, and linguistic inequities shape reproductive and gynecologic health across the U.S. and Latin America. Her work spans abortion and contraceptive access, patient-centered communication, health policy, and disparities in preventive care—areas that directly inform inequities in cervical and gynecologic cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment. She leverages quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches—including advanced survey design, cross-cultural measurement, and community-engaged research—to generate actionable, equity-focused evidence for clinical and public health partners. She has published nearly 20 peer-reviewed articles in journals such as SSM–Population Health, Contraception, Psychology of Women Quarterly, and the Journal of Medical Internet Research. She is the recipient of the Society of Family Planning’s Next Generation Award and the Changemaker in Family Planning Award and serves as PI, Co-PI, or collaborator on multiple funded research projects. She earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and holds a Certificate of Training in Demography and Population Studies from the California Center for Population Research. Dr. Mena-Meléndez is committed to expanding pathways for equitable cancer prevention and control for historically marginalized communities.