Carl A. Castro

Carl A. Castro is Professor and Director of Military and Veterans Programs at the University of Southern California's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. He also serves as Director of the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families and Director of the RAND-USC Epstein Family Foundation Center for Veterans Policy Research.

His educational background includes a PhD (1989) and MA (1987) from the University of Colorado and a BA (1985) from Wichita State University.

Castro's research focuses on veterans' mental health, military transitions, and trauma-related issues. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel, he brings practical military experience to his academic work, specializing in the psychological effects of combat, social connectedness in veteran populations, and suicide prevention strategies. His work bridges military culture with civilian mental health systems.

His publication analysis reveals consistent focus on PTSD treatment, combat exposure effects, and veteran transition challenges. The research shows increasing emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence in suicide prevention systems.

• Gerson Award, American Psychological Association (2017)
• Fulbright Specialist (2014)
• Fellow, American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare
• Fulbright Scholar

Castro leads the USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society's $600,000 military suicide prevention project, collaborating with engineering faculty to develop AI models analyzing social networks for suicide risk indicators. His research portfolio includes multiple 'State of the American Veteran' studies across different geographic regions.

He directs the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families, which serves as the operational hub for his veteran-focused research initiatives and policy development efforts.