{"id":852,"date":"2026-03-09T12:19:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T11:19:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/?page_id=852"},"modified":"2026-03-14T21:51:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T20:51:59","slug":"team","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/team\/","title":{"rendered":"Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Meet the team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Social scientist specializing in health inequalities and public policy.
Expert in the impact evaluation of social programs.
Leads the project\u2019s scientific and methodological approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Mauricio Avenda\u00f1o<\/strong> is a Professor at the University of Lausanne<\/strong>, Co-Director of the Health Economics and Policy Unit, and Co-Founder of the Lausanne Center for Health Economics, Policy and Behavior at Unisant\u00e9<\/strong>. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Harvard University<\/strong> and a Visiting Professor at King\u2019s College London<\/strong>. He is an elected Fellow of the British Academy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is a quantitative social scientist whose research focuses on how social changes and public policies influence health and health inequalities within and across countries. His interdisciplinary work uses longitudinal data, natural experiments, and randomized controlled trials to analyze the impact of education, pensions, long-term care, health insurance, poverty, employment, and urban planning on health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before joining Lausanne, he was Professor of Public Policy and Global Health at King\u2019s College London<\/strong>, a Research Associate Professor at the London School of Economics and Political Science<\/strong>, an Adjunct Professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam<\/strong>, and a David E. Bell Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has authored more than 140 scientific publications and has received funding from organizations such as the Swiss National Science Foundation<\/strong>, the European Research Council<\/strong>, the National Institutes of Health<\/strong>, and the Wellcome Trust<\/strong>. His work has been recognized with several academic awards, including an European Research Council Starting Grant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the BienEstar Joven<\/em> project, he leads the methodological design, the impact evaluation, and the overall scientific rigor of the study, with the goal of generating robust evidence to strengthen public policies for young people and reduce mental health inequalities.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Psychologist specialized in mental health project management.
Expert in digital interventions and youth engagement.
Coordinates the overall implementation of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Andrea Carolina Bello-Tocancip\u00e1<\/strong> is a psychologist from the Universidad de los Andes<\/strong>, where she graduated Cum Laude<\/strong>, with more than six years of experience in project coordination, academic research, and the management of projects with social impact. She specializes in Project Management<\/strong> and in the development of mental health interventions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has worked on Research and Development (R&D)<\/strong> projects focused on the mental health of children and adolescents, as well as on sociopolitical violence and transitional justice<\/strong>. In these projects, she has contributed to the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital mental health interventions<\/strong>. Her experience also includes working with victims of the armed conflict in Colombia<\/strong> and using participatory methodologies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As General Coordinator of the project<\/strong>, she oversees the progress of all study phases, coordinates interdisciplinary and international teams, and leads the implementation of the mental health intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her motivation focuses on reducing gaps in access to mental health services<\/strong> through accessible, sustainable, and scalable solutions, with a particular emphasis on the well-being and life trajectories of young people<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Economist specializing in health economics.
Expert in experimental research and public policy.
Supports the project\u2019s analysis and impact evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Armando Meier<\/strong> is a Professor of Economics at the University of Basel<\/strong>. He earned his PhD in Economics from the same university, receiving the faculty award for the best dissertation, after research stays at Columbia University<\/strong>, University of Chicago<\/strong>, and Stanford University<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He later served as a Principal Investigator at the University of Chicago<\/strong> and as a Senior Researcher at the University of Lausanne<\/strong> before returning to Basel. He is currently also a Senior Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His research and teaching focus on health economics<\/strong>, with strong connections to behavioral, public, and labor economics<\/strong>. His work has been published in leading scientific journals such as Nature<\/strong> and Science<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the BienEstar Joven<\/em> project, he contributes to the analytical design<\/strong> and to the interpretation of the impact evaluation results<\/strong>, bringing a rigorous perspective on the effectiveness of the intervention.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Psychiatrist with experience in population health.
Leads the design of the mental health intervention.
Supports the administrative implementation of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Martha Escobar Lux is the Director of Population Health at the Fundaci\u00f3n Santa Fe de Bogot\u00e1<\/strong> and a psychiatrist in the Mental Health Department of the Hospital Fundaci\u00f3n Santa Fe de Bogot\u00e1<\/strong>. She is a clinical professor at the Universidad de los Andes<\/strong> School of Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the project, she is part of the Colombian research team and focuses primarily on developing the mental health intervention and supporting the administrative execution of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her motivation is to integrate mental health into large-scale social programs, with an emphasis on vulnerable youth populations.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Psychologist focusing on mental health and armed conflict.
Expert in studies with displaced populations.
Provides the project\u2019s epidemiological perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Fabio Idrobo<\/strong> directs funded research projects focused on documenting the mental health needs of populations living in contexts of armed conflict and protracted violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has led nationwide longitudinal studies with displaced populations, including Venezuelan migrants, and works on evaluating the prevalence of common mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has served as an academic advisor to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection<\/strong> and is a research associate in the Department of Population Health at the Fundaci\u00f3n Santa Fe de Bogot\u00e1<\/strong>. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at the Universidad de los Andes<\/strong> and Boston University<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this project, he contributes his expertise in applied research and the evaluation of psychosocial programs in highly vulnerable contexts.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Social worker with extensive experience in social policy.
Leads youth well-being strategies.
Provides the institutional perspective of Renta Joven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Omar Vargas<\/strong> is a social worker from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and a specialist in Social Management. He has more than 24 years of experience in the public sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He currently serves as a specialized professional at the Administrative Department for Social Prosperity<\/strong> in the Renta Joven<\/strong> (Youth Income) program, where he leads strategies for social promotion and comprehensive well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His experience includes the coordination of social and community programs aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable populations in Colombia.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Economist specializing in impact evaluation.
Expert in survey design and data analysis.
Contributes to the measurement of project outcomes..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Nathalie Monnet<\/strong> is an economist with a PhD from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva<\/strong>. She is a researcher at the Lausanne University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisant\u00e9)<\/strong> and the Lausanne Center for Health Economics and Policy (LCHE-UNIL)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her work focuses on applied research using data to rigorously evaluate the causal effects of policies and programs<\/strong>, spanning both health interventions and conflict-related contexts<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the Youth Well-Being project, she serves as lead postdoctoral researcher<\/strong>, overseeing survey development, data collection, and advanced analysis<\/strong> to assess the impact of interventions on young people\u2019s mental health and human capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her driving motivation is to produce robust, evidence-based evaluations<\/strong> that directly inform and strengthen social programs, ensuring they are effective, equitable, and impactful<\/strong> for vulnerable youth.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Economist specializing in mental health and education.
Expert in randomized controlled trials.
Supports the project\u2019s impact evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Cl\u00e9mence Kieny<\/strong> is an economist with a PhD from the University of Lausanne<\/strong>. She currently works as a researcher at the Lausanne University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisant\u00e9)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her research lies at the intersection of educational policies, cognitive health, aging, and mental health<\/strong>, with a methodological focus on randomized controlled trials<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the Swiss research team, she contributes to the impact evaluation of the Youth Well-Being project<\/strong>, supporting the analysis of the intervention\u2019s effects on the mental health and well-being of young people<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her interest is in generating evidence that strengthens data-driven public policies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Clinical psychologist with experience in community and institutional mental health.
Implements guidelines, care pathways, and evidence-based strategies.
Supports the project\u2019s Latin American network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Luisa Fernanda Mart\u00ednez Villa<\/strong> is a psychologist, graduated Cum Laude<\/strong>, and a specialist in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology<\/strong> from Universidad de La Sabana<\/strong>. She has extensive experience in psychosocial care, risk assessment, and evidence-based mental health interventions<\/strong>, with advanced training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has collaborated with the Bogot\u00e1 District Health Secretariat<\/strong> on care pathways for suicidal behavior, violence, and substance use<\/strong>, and holds certifications in Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention<\/strong> and Psychological First Aid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, she leads project coordination from Prosperidad Social<\/strong>, co-directs Work Package 4<\/strong> focused on a Latin American research network<\/strong>, and is particularly interested in adverse childhood experiences and protective factors in vulnerable youth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Social worker with experience in public administration.
Oversees the project agreement at Prosperidad Social.
Contributes to youth well-being and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Nidia Yisela Morales Pineda<\/strong> is a social worker from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia<\/strong> and a specialist in Government and Public Management<\/strong>. Her professional experience has focused on the public sector<\/strong>, particularly in the management and monitoring of social programs for vulnerable populations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has collaborated with the Bogot\u00e1 District<\/strong> on the design, support, and monitoring of interventions for victims of domestic and sexual violence<\/strong>, strengthening institutional coordination and social support processes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She currently works at the Departamento Administrativo para la Prosperidad Social<\/strong>, supervising the project agreement under the Renta Joven program<\/strong>. In this role, she oversees program enrollment<\/strong> and contributes to Social Promotion and Comprehensive Well-Being<\/strong>, supporting the implementation of youth mental health strategies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Psychiatrist with experience in community mental health.
Leads clinical care and peer training.
Designs care pathways for at-risk youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Gustavo Perdomo<\/strong> is a physician from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia<\/strong> and a specialist in Psychiatry<\/strong> from the Universidad Militar Nueva Granada<\/strong>. He is currently pursuing a Master\u2019s in Clinical Research<\/strong> through a joint program between Harvard University<\/strong> and University of Dresden<\/strong>, as well as a Master\u2019s in Bioethics and Research Ethics<\/strong> at Universidad de los Andes<\/strong>, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He works as a psychiatrist<\/strong> at the Hospital Universitario Fundaci\u00f3n Santa Fe de Bogot\u00e1<\/strong> and is a faculty member<\/strong> at Universidad de los Andes<\/strong>, participating in public health research<\/strong>, including studies on e-cigarette use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within the project, he supervises clinical psychologists working with high-risk youth, supports peer mentors, and leads the design of care pathways and the peer training program<\/strong>, strengthening community mental health support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is a founding member of the Colombian Network of Trans Health Professionals<\/strong> and actively contributes to the hospital\u2019s Gender Clinic<\/strong>, advocating for health rights and inclusion.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Clinical psychologist and international academic.
Expert in anxiety and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Advises on the project\u2019s clinical approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

read more<\/summary>\n

Naomi Koerner<\/strong> is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University<\/strong> and an Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes<\/strong>. She is a clinical psychologist<\/strong> with extensive experience in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For over 15 years, she has researched anxiety, related disorders, and psychological responses to uncertainty<\/strong>, actively promoting psychological science to address global challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has served on the boards of the Interamerican Society of Psychology<\/strong> and the International Council of Psychologists<\/strong>, and maintains strong ties with Latin America<\/strong>, where she has taught and delivered clinical training in Spanish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She previously collaborated with the team in designing a cognitive-behavioral well-being program for youth<\/strong>, which served as a direct precursor to the Youth Well-Being<\/em> project.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"equipo<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

International expert in global mental health.
Specialist in accessible and scalable interventions.
Advises on the sustainability of the project model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Youth<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

If you are interested in collaborating with Youth Well-Being<\/strong>, please complete the form on the contact<\/a><\/strong> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All photos feature participants from the Renta Joven program, provided courtesy of Prosperidad Social.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a9 2026 Youth Well-Being Project<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Meet the team Social scientist specializing in health inequalities and public policy.Expert in the impact evaluation of social programs.Leads the project\u2019s scientific and methodological approach. Psychologist specialized in…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1002815,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-full-width.php","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-852","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1002815"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=852"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/852\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":895,"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/852\/revisions\/895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/youthwellbeing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}