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Who We Are Mario de la Rosa, Ph.D
Mario de la Rosa, Ph.D
Distinguished University Professor of Social Work, and Endowed University Professor in Health Equity at the Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, Florida International University (FIU)
Profile
Nominee Election Year: 2022
Nominee Committee Service (List Committee and Years Served): Fundraising Committee (2026), Associate Membership Selection Committee (2023, 2024), Membership Selection Committee (2023, 2024). He served as chair of both the Full Membership Selection Committee (2025), and the Medicine Subcommittee of the Full Membership Committee (2025).
Nominator Name(s): Martin Jose Sepulveda (FIU) and Guillermo (Willy) Prado (UM)
Description of technical expertise, past leadership experience, and goals for ASEMFL position: (300 Word limit)
Mario de la Rosa is the Founding Director of the FIU Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse ($80+ million, NIH). He is a pioneering scientist (200+ publications) ranked in the top 1% of social work research scholars nationally. Over three decades, his research on substance use, HIV/AIDS, and cross-cultural issues affecting Latino populations identified critical immigration-trajectory factors that lead to increased risk. These informed the development of effective interventions nationwide. He has led numerous NIH grants, including two P20 Center of Excellence awards, numerous R01 awards, and two S21 endowment awards for FIU’s university-wide Health Disparities Initiative (only one in Florida). Known as an outstanding mentor, many of his students and junior faculty mentees have become prominent scholars and leaders. Mario received a doctorate degree in Social Welfare Policy from Ohio State University in 1986, and a master’s in social science administration from Case Western Reserve University in 1982.
His commitment to professional service is evident in the following examples:
1) NASEM Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity, 2019-present;
2) FIU: Stemple College Executive Committee, 2016-present; Tenure and Promotion Committee, 2008-23; Emerging Preeminent Program in Health Disparities, Co-Director, 2016-23;
3) NIH: Community Influences on Health Behavior Study Section, 2018-21; Social Psych, Personality and Interpersonal Processes Study Section, 2011-14; and National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Advisory Council, 2007-09.
Mario also brings experience in government leadership dating back to the 1990’s when he served as an NIH Project Officer for over a decade and spearheaded federal portfolios on minority drug research, epidemiology and prevention, sociological and biological factors of substance abuse among underserved populations; and training initiatives.
Within and outside ASEMFL, Mario is known for his highly collaborative, respectful, and engaging manner. ASEMFL would be well served to elect him to the Board.
Nominee Committee Service (List Committee and Years Served): Fundraising Committee (2026), Associate Membership Selection Committee (2023, 2024), Membership Selection Committee (2023, 2024). He served as chair of both the Full Membership Selection Committee (2025), and the Medicine Subcommittee of the Full Membership Committee (2025).
Nominator Name(s): Martin Jose Sepulveda (FIU) and Guillermo (Willy) Prado (UM)
Description of technical expertise, past leadership experience, and goals for ASEMFL position: (300 Word limit)
Mario de la Rosa is the Founding Director of the FIU Center for Research on US Latino HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse ($80+ million, NIH). He is a pioneering scientist (200+ publications) ranked in the top 1% of social work research scholars nationally. Over three decades, his research on substance use, HIV/AIDS, and cross-cultural issues affecting Latino populations identified critical immigration-trajectory factors that lead to increased risk. These informed the development of effective interventions nationwide. He has led numerous NIH grants, including two P20 Center of Excellence awards, numerous R01 awards, and two S21 endowment awards for FIU’s university-wide Health Disparities Initiative (only one in Florida). Known as an outstanding mentor, many of his students and junior faculty mentees have become prominent scholars and leaders. Mario received a doctorate degree in Social Welfare Policy from Ohio State University in 1986, and a master’s in social science administration from Case Western Reserve University in 1982.
His commitment to professional service is evident in the following examples:
1) NASEM Roundtable on the Promotion of Health Equity, 2019-present;
2) FIU: Stemple College Executive Committee, 2016-present; Tenure and Promotion Committee, 2008-23; Emerging Preeminent Program in Health Disparities, Co-Director, 2016-23;
3) NIH: Community Influences on Health Behavior Study Section, 2018-21; Social Psych, Personality and Interpersonal Processes Study Section, 2011-14; and National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Advisory Council, 2007-09.
Mario also brings experience in government leadership dating back to the 1990’s when he served as an NIH Project Officer for over a decade and spearheaded federal portfolios on minority drug research, epidemiology and prevention, sociological and biological factors of substance abuse among underserved populations; and training initiatives.
Within and outside ASEMFL, Mario is known for his highly collaborative, respectful, and engaging manner. ASEMFL would be well served to elect him to the Board.