Dr. Ruiz-Narváez is interested in the elucidation of the interplay between genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors on relation to different complex diseases and phenotypes. Specifically, his research has focused on identification of genetic risk variants for diverse health outcomes such as breast cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, with particular emphasis in African American women. Dr. Ruiz-Narváez is also investigating how exposure to chronic psychosocial stress may contribute to the burden of disease in minority populations. As part of his international research, Dr. Ruiz-Narváez is using data of the Costa Rica Longevity and Health Aging Study (CRELES), a population-based study of life-course experiences of older Costa Ricans, to examine determinants of the observed extended longevity in the Costa Rican population.