Robert C. Kaplan

Robert C. Kaplan, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Population Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He serves as Principal Investigator for multiple major research projects including the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) and the Clinical Research Sites for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study. His work focuses on Hispanic/Latino health disparities, cardiovascular disease, HIV research, and genetic epidemiology.

Dr. Kaplan's research interests center on community health studies with particular emphasis on Hispanic and Latino populations. His work explores the intersection of genetics, cardiovascular health, and social determinants of health in minority populations. He has made significant contributions to understanding how factors like nativity, childhood experiences, and meal timing impact health outcomes in Hispanic/Latino communities through large-scale epidemiological studies.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, examining topics ranging from genetic research advancements to cardiovascular-brain connections, epigenetic aging, and gut microbiome characteristics. These studies collectively advance our understanding of health disparities and disease mechanisms in underrepresented populations.

Dr. Kaplan has secured substantial research funding, with 45 active and completed grants totaling significant research support. His current projects include the Clinical Research Sites for the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (funded through 2026), multiple iterations of the Hispanic Community Health Study, and maintenance of the NHLBI Biologic Specimen Repository.

He leads extensive collaborative research efforts involving multiple institutions and researchers, with recent work spanning cardiovascular health, neurocognitive aging, HIV, and genetic epidemiology. His work with the SOL-INCA MRI Study represents a significant effort to understand brain health in Hispanic/Latino populations.