Dr. Lopez received her Ph.D. from at the University of California at San Diego in 1991. Her dissertation and research focused on the effects of lullabies and play songs on infants.  She continues to conduct research and develop her theories on the origins of music as related to primary forms of song. 

Dr. Lopez has presented her original research and theories throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe including:

• European Society of Cognitive Sciences of Music (ESCOM), Portugal (2005)
• The Listening Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (2004) 
•  Med Arts Congress for Developmental Interventions in Neonatal Care (1996)
• International Convention in Early Childhood Music Association (1995)
• California State Department of Social Sciences in Sacramento (1995)
• National Association of Music Therapists (1994)
• World Congress of Music Therapy, Victoria, Spain (1993)
• International Society of Music Education, Research Commission (1991)
• International Music Medicine Symposium at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences (1989)
• XIX International Congress of Pediatrics, Paris France, (1989)
• International Association of Melody Therapy for Language (IAMPTS) Paris, France (1988)

Dr. Lopez was a visiting scholar at UCSD from 2000 to 2004. Dr. Lopez has taught voice at USC, UCSD, Palomar College, and currently teaches at MiraCosta College. She also teaches at La Costa Glen and in her private studio in San Marcos.

Topics of Research

• Origins of music
• Lullabies and play songs as empathic development in infants
• Father/other presence
• The influence of the ear in integration and perception