Linda Lopez is a Research Aide for InSTRIDE working on research with substance use disorders and infectious diseases. Linda was born and raised in New Haven, CT with a passion to give back to her community. She comes from a family that has always assisted vulnerable populations. At the height of the pandemic, she orchestrated a food donation to create care packages for the homeless of New Haven, CT. Linda’s extensive customer service experience, as well as being fluent in writing and speaking Spanish are tools in helping the research studies and the participants. In Linda’s free time, she enjoys comedy and making people laugh. Linda hopes to aid in ending the opioid epidemic and fight for equity in the justice system.