Maria F. Pineros-Leano

Aug 2018 - Current: Assistant Professor at Boston College

BS, Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

MSW, Master of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

MPH, Master of Public Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

PhD, Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Social Work

Maria Pineros-Leano received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, a Master of Social Work, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently working on a PhD in social work. Ms. Pineros-Leano's research focuses on maternal and infant health and early maternal risk and protective factors for child obesity. Ms. Pineros-Leano combines information from social work, psychology, and nutrition to develop a better understanding of the ways in which maternal depression affects the development of child obesity among children from different racial/ethnic backgrounds. Moreover, she is exploring the potential mediating effects of breastfeeding and feeding choices among Latino families. Ms. Pineros-Leano aims to translate research into practice by developing culturally tailored interventions that address childhood obesity risk factors among Latino families.

Ms. Pineros-Leano worked at Carle Foundation Hospital with the Vice President of Hospital Operations and Administration. She conducted data analysis and reports on different areas of the hospital such as patient satisfaction, hospital quality, and time management among nursing managers and supervisors. She also focused on developing a tool to measure and increase nursing practices with patients and families to maintain them informed and increase their satisfaction levels. Ms. Pineros-Leano was awarded the Van Vorst Administrative Internship scholarship during her practicum.

Dr. Janet Liechty and Dr. Karen Tabb Dina

Saltzman, J. A., Pineros-Leano, M. (May, 2016). Eating, feeding, and feeling: Do feeding and emotional responsiveness mediate associations between maternal binge eating and child weight? Poster presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, San Francisco, California.

Liechty, J.M., Lee, M-J., Pineros-Leano, M. (January, 2016). Race, place, and health: Neighborhood social-environmental influences on adolescent obesity and overweight in the US. Poster presented at the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C.

Tabb, K., Pineros-Leano, M., Quintanilla, C., Belwalkar, D., Huang, H. (November 2015) Prevalence of diabetes and depression in women: A systematic review of studies published in the United States. Poster presented at the American Public Health Association 143rd Annual Meeting and Exposition. Chicago, Illinois.

Pineros-Leano, M. (October 2015). Revising the current state of universal perinatal depression screening. Paper presented at the 4th Biennial International Symposium: Healthy Women, Healthy Societies, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 

Pineros-Leano, M., Liechty, J. M. (October 2015). Associations between elevated maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding patterns and children’s BMI. Poster presented at the Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program   Biennial Symposium, Urbana, Illinois.

Tabb, K., Pineros-Leano, M., Quintanilla, C., Huang, H. (April 2015). Prevalence of diabetes and depression: A systematic review of studies published including women in the United States. Poster presented at the Network of Minority Health Research Investigators (NMRI) Annual Workshop, Bethesda, Maryland.

Pineros-Leano, M. Liechty, J., Piedra, L. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment for Depression among First Generation Latinos/As: A Systematic Review. Paper presented at the Society for Social Work and Research, January 2015, New Orleans, LA.

Pineros-Leano, M. Depression among Latina Transnational Mothers: A Systematic Review. Poster presented at the American Public Health Association 142nd Annual Meeting and Exposition. November 2014, New Orleans, LA.

Liechty, J.M., Lee, M.J., Pineros-Leano, M., Saltzman, J. Longitudinal Predictors of Disordered Eating among Latina Adolescents and Young Adults in the U.S. Paper presented at the International Conference on Eating Disorders, March 2014, New York, NY.

Tabb, K., Pineros-Leano, M., Choi, S., Root, M., Meline, B., Huang, H. Perinatal depression screening in a public health women, infants, children program: Feasibility and acceptability. Poster session presented at the American Public Health Association 141st Annual Meeting and Exposition. November 2013, Boston, MA.

Pineros-Leano, M.F. Repercussions of the Representations of Minority Children in Picture Books. Oral presentation at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium. July 2013, Champaign, IL.

Pineros-Leano. M. F. Effects of Amphetamine Exposure during Adolescence on Inhibitory Control Behavior in Adulthood in Male Rats. Poster presented at the 12th National Research Conference of McNair Scholars and Undergraduate Research. March 2011, College Park, MD.

• 2017 President's Research in Diversity Travel Award, University of Illinois (Maria Pineros)
• 2016 Fragile Families Summer Data Workshop 2016, highly competitive 3-day expenses-paid training grant. Columbia School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York City. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
• 2016 Seed Grant, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois and the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture . Aguayo, Liliana (Co-PI), Pineros-Leano, Maria (Co-PI) "HOPS: Holistic Obesity Prevention Study with Mexican Mothers and Preschool-Aged Children. : $10,000
• 2015 Seed Grant, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois and the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture. "Understanding feeding practices among first generation Latina mothers and families: A qualitative study." Role: PI, $10,000
• 2015 Named as one of the "List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students" for SOCW 300: Diversity: Identities and Issues. School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 
• 2015 Service Award for service to the Graduate College Educational Equity Programs, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• 2014 Van Vorst Graduate Health Administration Intern Fellowship, Carle Hospital, Urbana, IL
• 2013- currently Doctoral Fellowship, Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program (I-TOPP), United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

• 2016-2017 Search committee member for the Dean Search Committee, School of Social Work, U of Illinois
• 2016 Crisis Nursery Volunteer, Urbana, IL
• 2016 Search committee member for Open Rank Professor, School of Social Work, U of Illinois
• 2015-2016 President, Doctoral Social Work Association,  School of Social Work, U of Illinois
• 2014-2015 Chair, Doctoral Social Work Association. School of Social Work. U of Illinois
• 2014 Search committee member for Program Director of Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program, U of Illinois
• 2014- Present Abstract Peer Reviewer, American Public Health Association
• Jan 2014 Invited panelist for the symposium at the premiere research conference: Society for Social Work and Research entitled "Invigorating the Social Work Research Pipeline: The Importance of Engaging Undergraduate Scholars".
• 2013- Present Peer Reviewer, Qualitative Social Work
• Nov 2013 Session moderator, 141st American Public Health Association Meeting, Boston, MA.

Pineros-Leano M, Tabb K, Liechty J, Castañeda Y, Williams M. (2019) Feeding decision-making among first generation Latinas living in non-metropolitan and small metro areas. PLoS One. 18;14(3):e0213442. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213442.

Pineros-Leano M, Tabb KM, Simonovich SD, Wang Y, Meline B, Huang H. (2018) Racial Differences in Breastfeeding Initiation Among Participants in a Midwestern Public Health District. Health Equity. 2(1):296-303

Tabb, K., Malinga, T., Pineros-Leano, M., Andrade, F. (2017). Impact of pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain on birth outcomes by nativity: A systematic review. Healthcare, 29:5(4), E67

Pineros-Leano, M., Liechty, J.M., & Piedra, L. (2017). Latino immigrants, depressive symptoms, and cognitive behavioral therapy: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 208, 567–576.

Saltzman, J. A., Pineros-Leano, M., Liechty, J. M., Bost, K. K., & Fiese, B. H. (2016). Eating, feeding, and feeling: emotional responsiveness mediates longitudinal associations between maternal binge eating, feeding practices, and child weight.  International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 13(1), 1.

Tabb, K. M., Choi, S., Pineros-Leano, M., Meline, B., McDonald, H. G., Kester, R., & Huang, H.(2015). Perinatal depression screening in a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program: Perception of feasibility and acceptability among a multidisciplinary staff. General Hospital Psychiatry,37(4), 305-309.doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2015.03.008

Pineros-Leano, M., Tabb, K. M., Sears, H., Meline, B., & Huang, H. (2015). Clinic staff attitudes towards the use of mHealth technology to conduct perinatal depression screenings: a qualitative study. Family Practice, 32: 211-5.

Albino, A; Tabb, K; Requena, D; Egoavil, M.; Pineros-Leano, M.; Zunt, J; Garcia, P.J. (2014) Perceptions and Acceptability of Short Message Services technology to improve treatment adherence amongst tuberculosis patients in Peru: A Focus Group Study. PLOS ONE, 9: e95770.