Service & Recognition
Dr. Lez Trujillo Torres is actively engaged in academic leadership, mentorship, and community service. Her contributions to marketing scholarship have earned recognition through prestigious research awards, editorial appointments, and professional honors. Beyond her research, she is committed to supporting emerging scholars, advancing inclusive academic communities, and connecting scholarship with meaningful social impact.
Awards & Recognition
2026
Finalist, Thomas C. Kinnear / Journal of Public Policy & Marketing Award
2025
Ilana Shanks Emerging Scholar Award
Finalist, 2024 Journal of the Academy for Marketing Science / Sheth Foundation. Best Paper Award; Top ten article of the year
2023
Winner, The Geraldine Rosa Henderson Excellence in Research on Race and Inclusion (G.E.R.R.I.) mentor-mentee award
2022
Winner, UIC COVID-19 Relief Funding for Genetic Innovation and Race project, $15,000 by the Office of Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
2020
Finalist, 2019 Journal of the Academy for Marketing Science / Sheth
Foundation Best Paper Award; Top ten article of the year
Academic Leadership & Service
Academic Service & Mentorship
She actively supports the development of emerging scholars through doctoral seminars, qualitative research workshops, and early-career faculty mentoring programs. Her contributions include mentoring at AMA-Sheth Foundation Early Career Consortiums, international qualitative research workshops, and doctoral research seminars.
She has also served as a conference track chair and contributed to academic organizations including the Consumer Culture Theory community and Race in the Marketplace Network.
Editorial Leadership
Dr. Trujillo Torres serves on the editorial review boards of the Journal of Consumer Research and the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. She also contributes as a reviewer for leading academic journals across marketing, consumer research, and public policy.
MEDIA COVERAGE & EXPERT COMMENTARY
2026
McCoppin, R. (October 24, 2026). Trump proposes eliminating race, ethnicity questions from 2030 census, alarming health, civil rights advocates. Chicago Tribune. Featured expert commentary on race, marketplace inequalities, and demographic data.
McCann, A. (October 5, 2026). Loud Budgeting. WalletHub. Expert commentary on consumer budgeting and financial behavior.
Community & Public Engagement
Dr. Trujillo Torres brings a longstanding commitment to social and economic justice to her academic and community engagement.
At the University of Illinois Chicago, she serves as faculty advisor to the student chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and as a faculty fellow in the UIC Honors College.
Her public engagement includes expert commentary and contributions to WalletHub and The Conversation France, as well as earlier professional work addressing affordable housing, consumer financial protection, and educational opportunity.
Connect with Lez
View her full academic credentials or get in touch about research and professional opportunities.