Richard Lopez is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where he founded and directs the Social Neuroscience of Affective Processes (SNAP) Lab. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, social neuroscience, human neuroscience and neurotechnology, and the psychology of AI and emerging technologies.

Professor Lopez's research examines how people regulate their emotions and how digital media and emerging technologies shape emotional life, mental health, and wellbeing. In the SNAP Lab, he and his students combine psychological theory with tools from human neuroscience and neurotechnology (e.g., EEG, fNIRS) and real-world behavioral assessment methods such as experience sampling. A broader aim of the SNAP Lab is to develop scalable interventions that incorporate AI-assisted tools to help people align their behaviors with their values and enhance wellbeing. Professor Lopez also enjoys sharing his work with the public through various media appearances including podcasts, interviews, and a range of outreach activities that communicate the science of emotion, digital media, and mental health to broader audiences.