Dr. Brenda J. Lohman is an internationally recognized scholar whose research examines how family, economic, and social contexts shape adolescent health and development across the life course. She earned her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Ohio State University in 2000 and has built an interdisciplinary research program grounded in developmental contextual and family systems perspectives. Her scholarship focuses on adolescent health, obesity, food insecurity, romantic relationships, and family policy, with particular attention to populations experiencing economic disadvantage. Through externally funded research and collaborations spanning public health, family science, and policy, Dr. Lohman’s work has advanced understanding of the factors that promote healthy development while informing evidence-based practice and public policy. She is committed to translating research into meaningful programs, partnerships, and policy solutions that improve outcomes for children, adolescents, and families.

As Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Missouri and Director for the Center for Family Policy and Research, Dr. Lohman provides strategic leadership for academic programs, outreach and engagement, research growth, faculty development, and student success. Throughout her career, she has served in numerous leadership roles, including Interim Dean, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, Department Chair, Center Director and Director of Graduate Education. Nationally, she serves as Advocacy Chair for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Board on Health and Human Sciences and represents the board on APLU’s Board on Agriculture Assembly Budget and Advocacy Committee. She also chairs the IDEA Human Sciences Board of Directors, leads the International Young Scholars Program for the Society for Research on Adolescence and serves on the Finance Committee for the same organization.

In 2020, Dr. Lohman was elected a Fellow of the National Council on Family Relations in recognition of her sustained contributions to family science.

Affiliations

Association of Public & Land Grant Universities

Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA)

National Council on Family Relations

Center for Family Policy and Research

Areas of Expertise

• Academic, physical, psychosocial, & sexual adjustment of adolescents and young adults
• Assessing contexts that influence development over time
• Translates research into best practices and policy
• HDFS Research Page