She received her degree (in sociology) from the University of Akron in Ohio in 1997. She had served as the principal investigator of a study entitled “Substance Use and Treatment Experiences of Transgender/Transsexual Men and Women.” She currently works on a project studying HIV-prevention, and she is currently working on a research study that will examine the social and medical process of transitioning from one gender to another. Dr. Lombardi is also a member of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Research on Health and Sexual Orientation. She has been a transactivist for over ten years and has been involved in many groups focused on transgender issues (Akron, Oh; Los Angeles, CA, Pittsburgh, PA). She has also chaired the West Hollywood Transgender Task Force.