Oscar Castanon-Cervantes

Oscar Castanon-Cervantes, Ph.D., M.S., serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Morehouse School of Medicine, where his research investigates health consequences of circadian disruption in shift workers through animal models and human studies, focusing on inflammatory mechanisms underlying diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

His academic credentials include:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Biology), University of Mexico (UNAM), 1999
• Master of Science (Animal Biology), University of Mexico (UNAM), 1996
• Bachelor of Science (Biology), University of Mexico (UNAM), 1993
• Master of Science in Clinical Research, Morehouse School of Medicine, 2019

Dr. Castanon-Cervantes' research centers on circadian pathophysiology, examining how environmental disruption of biological rhythms triggers inflammatory dysregulation. His work reveals tissue-specific immune alterations independent of the suprachiasmatic nucleus, with significant implications for shift workers' health. The laboratory employs in vitro models and human translational studies to identify molecular pathways linking circadian misalignment to increased stroke severity and metabolic disorders.

Analysis of his publication record (2010-2020) demonstrates consistent focus on circadian-immune crosstalk, progressing from foundational animal studies to human clinical implications. The 2020 stroke severity paper represents a critical translation of basic findings to acute neurological outcomes, while earlier work established mechanisms of cytokine dysregulation during bacterial challenge under circadian disruption.

Key recognitions include:

• "Alfonso Caso" Medal for top doctoral graduate (UNAM, 1999)
• CONACyT National Researcher Level 1 (Mexico, 2000-2007)
• NIMHD-funded CRECD Program Scholar (2017-2020)

Through the CRECD program, he mentors clinical researchers in health disparities methodology while leading NIH-funded investigations into circadian contributions to minority health inequities. His grant portfolio emphasizes translational approaches connecting basic chronobiology to population health outcomes.

Dr. Castanon-Cervantes maintains active collaborations with the University of Virginia chronobiology group and UNAM's Neurobiology Institute, contributing to MSM's Center for Maternal Health Equity and Transdisciplinary Collaborative Center initiatives focused on health disparities research.