Susan Ayers-Lopez, M.Ed., has managed and directed research and evaluation projects at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work for over 40 years, having a long-standing collaboration with Dr. Ruth McRoy. Most recently, Susan has managed and directed the AdoptUSKids Evaluation team and is currently serving as Co-Principal Investigator. Youth voice and racial equity have always been an important part of this research, which has included numerous interviews and data collection processes with adopted youth experiencing residential treatment, youth in adoptions with varying degrees of openness, and older youth in foster care. Ms. Ayers-Lopez is also a published author in this field.

Research