Richard Garfein

Richard Garfein is an Adjunct Professor in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science at San Diego State University. He holds a BA in Biology from the University of California Santa Barbara (1985), an MPH in Epidemiology from San Diego State University (1989), and a PhD in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from Johns Hopkins University (1997). His research focuses on infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations such as people who inject drugs, migrants, and marginalized communities.

Garfein’s work spans epidemiological studies, intervention development, and policy analysis. He has led multiple NIH-funded studies investigating innovative TB treatment strategies (e.g., video-observed therapy), cross-border health dynamics, and the impact of drug policies on public health. He has also contributed to studies on the epidemiology of HIV and HCV among methamphetamine users and the role of harm reduction strategies in mitigating disease transmission.

His research often integrates digital health tools, such as mobile phone-based monitoring, to improve adherence to treatments and surveillance of infectious diseases. Notable projects include studying the effects of Mexico’s drug policy reforms, the impact of supervised consumption sites on disease transmission, and wastewater-based epidemiology for tracking SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Garfein has collaborated with institutions like UCSD, the Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, and international teams to address global health challenges. His grants include NIH awards for studies on TB diagnostics, drug tourism’s impact on infection rates, and mobile health interventions for treatment adherence.