Maria Idali Torres

director, Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy

Maria Idalí Torres is the current director of the Gaston Institute. She obtained a PhD from the University of Connecticut and a MS in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts. Prior to his current position she spent 17 years as a professor of public health at the UMASS-Amherst campus, and another 15 years practicing health education in community and school settings. Dr. Torres’ research and publications have focused on the promotion, protection and maintenance of reproductive and sexual health among Latinas and their families. Most recently, she has been working on Latino youth sexual health disparities and the prevention of teenage pregnancy. She has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards for her work at the local, state and national levels.