Staff: Carlos O. Garrido, PhD, MS, MPH
Carlos O. Garrido, PhD, MS, MPH
Cancer Research Training Award Fellow
- Office of the Associate Director (OAD)
- Behavioral Research Program (BRP)
Carlos O. Garrido, Ph.D., M.S., M.P.H., was a Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) fellow in Applied Health Communication in the Office of the Associate Director (Behavioral Research Program) from 2021 to 2022.
Dr. Garrido's research is characterized by identifying psychological assets and barriers to health promotive behaviors and, through that knowledge, by the development of psychological interventions to promote healthy behaviors and reduce the cancer burden. As the principal investigator, he has conducted 100+ studies spanning from the basic science of person perception to social cognition (i.e., implicit stereotyping and prejudice, cancer fatalism) and psychosocial determinants of health. A major focus of Dr. Garrido's work is to reduce cancer health disparities and benefit segments of the population that have typically been underrepresented and/or underserved in public health research. For example, he studies the influence of implicitly biased interpersonal exchanges in and outside health care settings on patient-centered outcomes for stigmatized and/or minority patients.
Prior to coming to NCI, Dr. Garrido held the role of T-32 Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Arizona Cancer Center. Dr. Garrido earned his Ph.D. in social psychology from The Pennsylvania State University-University Park. While at Penn State, he studied the basic science of interpersonal impressions and facial perception. Dr. Garrido holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Arizona. His Passion for science began early in his undergraduate training at the University of Illinois at Chicago where he joined his first social psychology and personality laboratory as a lab manager.
"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated January 2023
Current Title
Social and Behavioral Sciences Administrator (Program officer)
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
National Institutes of Health
How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
My BRP fellowship allowed me to become familiar with the role of program officer (PO) prior to accepting the position through collaborations and engagement with BRP POs. In this manner, I was able to get firsthand experience of PO job duties and, thereby, make a sound decision about embarking on a career as a Federal Employee. Additionally, I rapidly expanded my skillset through the communications liaison aspect of my fellowship by participating in working group meetings, coordinating logistical components of webinars, and designing language to effectively communicate science to laypeople. Through my fellowship, I was also able to collaborate in research projects with senior staff and fellow fellows to advance my scientific research program.
Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
My favorite memory was walking into the NCI office building for the first time after relocating to the DMV after the remote work period prompted by the COVID pandemic. Walking around and engaging with fellow staff in person that I had only known through video calls was a fulfilling experience for me as it allowed me to bond with my colleagues at a more personal level. I had trouble recognizing some colleagues but not so much other colleagues, which was exciting.
Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am a Social and Behavioral Sciences Administrator (Program Officer) in the Division of Integrative Biological and Behavioral Sciences at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). In my role, I provide leadership and guidance in scientific subject-matter areas, identify gaps in research and opportunities for funding, and help shape the direction of government-funded science by working directly with the extramural scientific community.
Publications from Fellowship Work
- Lent AB, Garrido CO, Baird EH, Viela R, Harris RB. Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Health and Life Insurance Denial Due to Cancer among Cancer Survivors. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 15;19(4):2166.
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