Carlos J. Rodriguez

Carlos J. Rodriguez, M.D., M.P.H. is a distinguished cardiovascular researcher and Professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. With an h-index of 48 and over 208 publications, he serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects examining cardiac structure, function, and vascular determinants of heart failure in diverse ethnic groups, particularly focusing on Hispanic populations. His work bridges clinical medicine and population health, with emphasis on health disparities and cardiovascular epidemiology.

Dr. Rodriguez's primary research interests center on cardiovascular disease epidemiology, with special expertise in atherosclerosis, heart failure mechanisms, stroke risk factors, and ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health. He has pioneered studies within the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) framework, with particular focus on Hispanic communities. His work examines how social determinants of health impact cardiovascular outcomes, investigating the interplay between traditional risk factors, novel biomarkers, and socioeconomic factors in shaping cardiovascular health across diverse ethnic groups.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on cardiovascular health disparities in Hispanic populations, utilizing advanced imaging techniques and large cohort studies. His research program demonstrates consistent examination of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), with increasing emphasis on social determinants of health, cardiovascular imaging, and precision medicine approaches to understanding ethnic differences in cardiovascular disease presentation and progression.

Dr. Rodriguez has secured significant NIH funding throughout his career, including the current Mechanisms of Cardiovascular Disease grant (2019-2026) as Co-PI, Vascular Determinants of Stage B HF among Hispanics (2022-2023) as PI, and multiple projects examining cardiac structure and function in Hispanic populations. His grant portfolio demonstrates sustained research productivity and NIH recognition of his expertise in cardiovascular epidemiology among diverse populations.

Dr. Rodriguez leads a research team focused on cardiovascular epidemiology, particularly the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), collaborating with investigators across multiple institutions to advance understanding of ethnic disparities in cardiovascular health. His work has established critical normative data for cardiac structure and function in Hispanic populations, contributing significantly to the field's understanding of ethnic-specific cardiovascular risk and disease presentation.