Humberto López Castillo, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, holds an MSc (Pediatric Clinical Sciences) from the University of Panama and an MEd (Postsecondary Education) from the Latin American University for Science and Technology. At the doctoral level, López Castillo completed his MD from the University of Panama and his residency in Pediatrics at the Pediatrics Specialties Hospital of the Social Security Fund System in Panama. He also holds a PhD in Public Health (Behavioral Sciences & Community and Family Health) at the University of South Florida, after which he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in adolescent risk behaviors. López Castillo is also Board Certified in Public Health and is a Spanish-English Certified Medical Interpreter. López Castillo’s experience ranges from clinical practice with adolescents and young adults, public health methods, and development, implementation, and evaluation of biobehavioral interventions.

López Castillo’s research focuses on interventions to improve the cardiometabolic health of adults living with HIV in the US and abroad. Using a biobehavioral approach to address a proinflammatory status, his research uses mixed methods to identify links between minority stress and components of metabolic syndrome (i.e., obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemias). Secondary lines of research explore the mediating roles of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy use in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, metabolomics/lipidomics, and the behavioral preventative aspects for sexual health risks in sexual minority adults.

López Castillo teaches HSC 2524 (Introduction to Human Disease) during Fall and Spring Semesters and as a study abroad summer course. At the graduate level, he teaches HSC 6626 (Healthcare Delivery for Hispanic Populations), which is part of the Hispanic Serving Healthcare Professionals graduate certificate.

In the community at large, he serves as Senior Associate Editor for Annals of LGBTQ Population and Public Health, as host of The Sex Café Podcast, and as board member for QLatinx and the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters.