Homero E. del Pino

Homero E. del Pino, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. He also holds adjunct appointments as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and in the Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Additionally, he serves as a Research Health Scientist in the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

Dr. del Pino earned his BA in Philosophy from Cornell University in 1994, followed by a PhD in Philosophy from UCLA in 2006, and an MS in Clinical Research from UCLA in 2016. His academic journey transitioned from philosophy with a focus on ethics to public health research, where he now applies his philosophical background to complex issues at the intersection of culture, autonomy, and health ethics.

His primary research focuses on the impact of family relationships on health outcomes of sexual minority men of color across the lifespan, with particular attention to substance use and HIV risk. Dr. del Pino is the principal investigator of "Entre Herman@s," an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial testing a sibling-based intervention to increase HIV PrEP-use among Latinx men who have sex with men. He also leads a K01 career development award exploring strategies for engaging families of Latinx MSM in HIV prevention efforts. His work consistently addresses health disparities through culturally informed, family-centered approaches to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.

Dr. del Pino has received numerous prestigious awards including the CDU Outstanding Faculty Award for Excellence in Research (2023), multiple phases of the National HIV Challenge from the Department of Health and Human Services, NIDA Diversity Scholars Network Program funding, and several NIH-funded career development awards. His research has been supported by continuous funding from the NIH since 2012, reflecting the significance and impact of his work in the field of minority health and HIV prevention.

As a philosopher-turned-public-health-researcher, Dr. del Pino brings a unique perspective to his work, examining ethical questions that lie at the intersection of culture, autonomy, and healthcare. His current research portfolio demonstrates a strong commitment to community-engaged research, particularly through partnerships with South Los Angeles communities. His work bridges academic research with practical community applications, focusing on developing culturally appropriate interventions that address the specific needs of Latinx sexual minority men and their families.