About

Felipe Castro is a professor and Southwest Borderlands Scholar in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University. He is also a member of the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at ASU. His research interests include health promotion and relapse prevention in Hispanic populations, with a focus on motivational aspects in the prevention of HIV infection, drug abuse, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and other chronic degenerative diseases. Prior to joining ASU in 2015, he served as a professor of psychology at the University of Texas in El Paso, where he was the head of the Health Psychology Program and a senior advisor to the provost for engage health disparities scholarship. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington, an M.S.W. in Social Welfare from UCLA, and a B.A. in Experimental Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. Dr. Castro has been actively involved in research addressing health disparities, cultural processes in risk and resiliency, and health promotion among Latino populations, contributing to numerous projects and presentations in these areas.

Research topics

• Psychology
• Medicine
• Political Science
• Computer Science
• Sociology
• Management science
• Marketing
• Economics
• Public relations
• Applied psychology
• Public economics
• Nursing
• Developmental psychology
• Business
• Clinical psychology
• Gerontology
• Medical education
• Environmental health
• Social psychology

Selected publications

• Advanced Cementing Solutions for Ultra-Deep Slimhole Wells: Overcoming High-Temperature and Cross-Flow Challenges

  2025-11-03

  article

  Abstract Ultradeep, slimhole, onshore wells deeper than 20,000 ft (Shook et al. 1995) with temperatures greater than 300°F present significant cement challenges, particularly with 6-in. openhole and 4.5-in. conventional liners over extended intervals (4,200-ft openhole intervals). In this scenario, the presence of crossflow during cement hydration can cause contamination and compromised zonal isolation. As a result, a sustainable cement system with high-temperature-resistant additives, elastic agents for improved mechanical performance, and expansive components to counteract shrinkage was deployed. The barrier selected is also designed to reduce operational time and resource consumption, which contributes to lower carbon emissions during well construction. Field results proved that the optimized cement system improved zonal isolation through mitigation of contamination effects from potential crossflow. Laboratory test results indicated improved compressive strength retention under high-temperature conditions, increased flexibility and resistance to stress-induced cement failure, and effective annular sealing through expansive properties that counteract shrinkage. Furthermore, the reduction in transition time minimized fluid migration risks, which was evident in the cement bond logs (CBLs) where bonding efficiency between the cement, liner, and formation was notably improved. The approach used to select the slurry properties necessary to improve the barrier was sufficient to allow strengthened bond performance in the pay zones and reduce the risk of fluid migration from potential crossflow. Real-time data along with a pressure match confirmed the reliability of the hydraulic model and demonstrated that this approach provided accurate plans for this operation and future operations. These outcomes highlight the value of tailored cement systems that maximize well integrity and contribute to lower carbon emissions through efficient resource selection and proper management of risks associated with remedial operations. An innovative approach is presented, which integrates a multifunctional cement system tailored for ultradeep, high-temperature, slimhole wells. The combination of expansive (in-situ), elastic, and high-temperature-resistant additives provides a resilient solution to critical cement challenges and helps ensure long-term well integrity. The results contribute to the advancement of well construction best practices and provide valuable insights for the optimization of cement operations in complex drilling environments.

  PublisherDOI

• COVID-19, stressors, and alcohol use among English- and Spanish-speaking adult Latinas

  Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work · 2025-11-19

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Evolution in videogame graphics: an approach between reality approach and user perspective

  AHFE international · 2024-01-01

  article

  Technological progress in the video game industry has become increasingly visible at the time of consuming games, these tend to try to be more realistic either by the ambition of the developers or by request of the community of each video game; this approach to reality can be in various forms, the main one that we study in this work is in the graphic section, in-game mechanics, history and interaction with the game. Based on the existing intrigue of how video games today can be indistinguishable from life itself in their technical and graphical section, as well as being able to create emotional, immersive, and exciting stories; in this article, we analyze how these games can approach reality through everything they can offer us, analyzing the technologies that are currently used to make this possible and how we as users can perceive it as accurate. We use an analytical-descriptive methodology, using Scopus, IEEE, IGN, Google Scholar, and WoS databases. Thus, the purpose of this study is to review how video games increasingly come to resemble reality both in the technical/graphic section and in how users perceive that approach through the coherent narrative of the game. The results of this article show how the graphics engine has perfected the details such as particles, photo illumination, and environments; while artificial intelligence works with great support and improvement for greater power in the frames in addition to helping to refine the hyperrealism achieved by the graphics engine; for its part also the analysis of the behaviour of players when interacting with video games and that these transmit that immersive and authentic feeling at the time of consuming them. Concluding that the technologies of the games have had a significant advance in their graphical sections that now to see a scanned photo of nature is very complicated to differentiate it from an actual photo of some landscape.

  PublisherDOI

• A commentary and research questions for future research on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy for treating substance use disorders.

  Clinical Psychology Science and Practice · 2023-06-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Cultural adaptations and cultural factors in EBI implementation with Latinx communities

  Frontiers in Public Health · 2023-03-21 · 17 citations

  reviewOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Introduction: are constructs that capture important life experiences of Latinx/Hispanic individuals, families, and communities. Despite their importance for Latinx communities, Latinx cultural factors have yet to be fully incorporated into the literature of many social, behavioral science, and health service fields, including implementation science. This significant gap in the literature has limited in-depth assessments and a more complete understanding of the cultural life experiences of diverse Latinx community residents. This gap has also stifled the cultural adaptation, dissemination, and implementation of evidence based interventions (EBIs). Addressing this gap can inform the design, dissemination, adoption, implementation, and sustainability of EBIs developed to serve Latinx and other ethnocultural groups. Methods: in this research field. This thematic analysis examined the Discussion sections of 60 quality empirical journal articles previously included into this prior Framework Synthesis literature review. In Part 1, our team conducted an exploratory analysis of potential Latinx cultural factors mentioned in these Discussion sections. In Part 2 we conducted a confirmatory analysis using NVivo 12 for a rigorous confirmatory thematic analysis. Results: This procedure identified 13 salient Latinx cultural factors mentioned frequently in quality empirical research within the field of Latinx stress-coping research during the years 2000-2020. Discussion: We defined and examined how these salient Latinx cultural factors can be incorporated into intervention implementation strategies and can be expanded to facilitate EBI implementation within diverse Latinx community settings.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Ethnic discrimination and self-rated health among Hispanic emerging adults: Examining the moderating effects of self-esteem and resilience

  International Journal of Intercultural Relations · 2023-06-21 · 11 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Effects of a Diabetes Prevention Program on Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors and Quality of Life Among Latino Youths With Prediabetes

  JAMA Network Open · 2022-09-12 · 39 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Latino youths are disproportionately impacted by prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Lifestyle intervention is the first-line approach for preventing or delaying T2D among adults with prediabetes. Objective: To assess the efficacy of a diabetes prevention program among Latino youths aged 12 to 16 years with prediabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This 2-group parallel randomized clinical trial with 2:1 randomization assessed a lifestyle intervention against usual care among Latino youths with prediabetes and obesity with 6- and 12-month follow-up. The study was conducted at YMCA facilities in Phoenix, Arizona from May 2016 to March 2020. Intervention: Participants were randomized to lifestyle intervention (INT) or usual care control (UCC). The 6-month INT included 1 d/wk of nutrition and health education and 3 d/wk of physical activity. UCC included 2 visits with a pediatric endocrinologist and a bilingual, bicultural registered dietitian to discuss diabetes risks and healthy lifestyle changes. Main Outcomes and Measures: Insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and weight-specific quality of life (YQOL-W) at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Results: A total of 117 Latino youths (mean [SD] age, 14 [1] years; 47 [40.1%] girls) were included in the analysis. Overall, 79 were randomized to INT and 38 to UCC. At 6 months, the INT led to significant decreases in mean (SE) 2-hour glucose (baseline: 144 [3] mg/dL; 6 months: 132 [3] mg/dL; P = .002) and increases in mean (SE) insulin sensitivity (baseline: 1.9 [0.2]; 6 months: 2.6 [0.3]; P = .001) and YQOL-W (baseline: 75 [2]; 6 months: 80 [2]; P = .006), but these changes were not significantly different from UCC (2-hour glucose: mean difference, -7.2 mg/dL; 95% CI, -19.7 to 5.3 mg/dL; P for interaction = .26; insulin sensitivity: mean difference, 0.1; 95% CI, -0.7 to 0.9; P for interaction = .79; YQOL-W: mean difference, 6.3; 95% CI, -1.1 to 13.7; P for interaction = .10, respectively). Both INT (mean [SE], -15 mg/dL [4.9]; P = .002) and UCC (mean [SE], -15 mg/dL [5.4]; P = .005) had significant 12-month reductions in 2-hour glucose that did not differ significantly from each other (mean difference, -0.3; 95% CI, -14.5 to 14.1 mg/dL; P for interaction = .97). At 12 months, changes in mean (SE) insulin sensitivity in INT (baseline: 1.9 [0.2]; 12 months: 2.3 [0.2]; P = .06) and UCC (baseline: 1.9 [0.3]; 12 months: 2.0 [0.2]; P = .70) were not significantly different (mean difference, 0.3; 95% CI, -0.4 to 1.0; P for interaction = .37). At 12 months, YQOL-W was significantly increased in INT (basline: 75 [2]; 12 months: 82 [2]; P < .001) vs UCC (mean difference, 8.5; 95% CI, 0.8 to 16.2; P for interaction = .03). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, both INT and UCC led to similar changes in T2D risk factors among Latino youths with diabetes; however, YQOL-W was improved in INT compared with UCC. Diabetes prevention interventions that are effective in adults also appeared to be effective in high risk youths. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02615353.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Strategic Directions in Preventive Intervention Research to Advance Health Equity

  Prevention Science · 2022 · 44 citations

  • Political Science
  • Public relations
  • Psychology

  As commissioned by the Society for Prevention Research, this paper describes and illustrates strategic approaches for reducing health inequities and advancing health equity when adopting an equity-focused approach for applying prevention science evidence-based theory, methodologies, and practices. We introduce an ecosystemic framework as a guide for analyzing, designing, and planning innovative equity-focused evidence-based preventive interventions designed to attain intended health equity outcomes. To advance this process, we introduce a health equity statement for conducting integrative analyses of ecosystemic framework pathways, by describing the role of social determinants, mechanisms, and interventions as factors directly linked to specific health equity outcomes. As background, we present health equity constructs, theories, and research evidence which can inform the design and development of equity-focused intervention approaches. We also describe multi-level interventions that when coordinated can produce synergistic intervention effects across macro, meso, and micro ecological levels. Under this approach, we encourage prevention and implementation scientists to apply and extend these strategic directions in future research to increase our evidence-based knowledge and theory building. A general goal is to apply prevention science knowledge to design, widely disseminate, and implement culturally grounded interventions that incrementally attain specific HE outcomes and an intended HE goal. We conclude with recommendations for conducting equity-focused prevention science research, interventions, and training.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Examining 24-Hour Activity and Sleep Behaviors and Related Determinants in Latino Adolescents and Young Adults With Obesity

  Health Education & Behavior · 2021-11-18 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background. Few studies have examined 24-hour activity and sleep behaviors and their contribution to type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Latino adolescents and young adults with obesity. Aim. This study included quantitative data on T2D risk and 24-hour activity and sleep behaviors and qualitative data on individual, social, and environmental behavioral determinants. Method. A 7 day, 24-hour, wrist-worn accelerometer protocol assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SB), sleep, and sleep regularity, in adolescents ( N = 38; 12–16 years) and young adults ( N = 22; 18–22 years). T2D-related outcomes included adiposity (BMI, BF%, waist circumference), fasting, and 2-hour glucose. A subsample of participants ( N = 16 adolescents, N = 15 young adults) completed interviews to identify behavioral determinants. Results. High levels of PA were observed among adolescents ( M = 103.8 ± 67.5 minutes/day) and young adults ( M = 96.8 ± 78.8 minutes/day) as well as high levels of SB across both age groups (≥10 hours/day). Sleep regularity was negatively associated with adiposity (all ps &lt; .05) in both age groups as well as fasting and 2-hour glucose in young adults (all ps &lt; .05). Social support was associated with PA in both age groups as well as SB in younger youth. Auditory noises, lights, and safety inhibited sleep in both age groups. Conclusion. PA is critical for disease reduction, yet reducing SB and improving sleep are also important targets for reducing T2D risk in Hispanic adolescents and young adults. Future health promotion and disease prevention strategies should leverage qualitative findings regarding behavioral determinants.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Abstract MP13: Lipid Peroxidation And Inflammatory Response Differentiate With Changes In Liver Fat Among Obese Latino Youth Following Lifestyle Intervention

  Circulation · 2021-05-18 · 1 citations

  article

  Introduction: Lipid peroxidation and inflammation are pivotal pathological processes involved in the progression of NAFLD, a prelude to cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle intervention is the cornerstone approach for preventing cardiometabolic disease among high-risk populations, yet studies have not examined the mechanisms by which lifestyle intervention may mediate changes in liver fat in youth. Hypothesis: Lifestyle intervention will decrease hepatic fat fraction (HFF), tumor necrosis alpha (TNF)-α, and malondialdehyde (MDA)-protein adducts. Methods: Latino youth with obesity (n=26, age 13.9±1.3, BMI% 98.1±1.1) and prediabetes completed a 6-month lifestyle intervention that included nutrition education (1 d/wk) and physical activity (3 d/wk). HFF was measured by MRI before and after intervention. Fasting serum samples were collected for measurement of lipid peroxidation, measured by MDA-protein adducts, and inflammation, measured by TNF-α. Repeated measures ANOVA models were used to examine the effect of lifestyle intervention on HFF, MDA-protein adducts, and TNF-α. Data are presented as Mean±SE. Results: The intervention led to significant decreases in HFF (from 7.0±1.1% to 5.4±0.7%, p=0.027) and TNF-α (from 1.7±1.0 to 1.5±0.1 pg/mL, p=0.050), but not MDA-protein adducts (from 266.4±28.4 to 253.8±29.3 pmol/mL, p=0.105). However, there was significant heterogeneity in changes in HFF whereby those with the greatest response (n=14) decreased HFF by -44.0% while non-responders (n=12) increased HFF by 67.5%. HFF responders exhibited significantly greater reductions in MDA-protein adducts (from 256.2±39.4 to 228.1±40.0 pmol/mL, Δ-10.1%) compared to HFF non-responders (from 278.4±42.5 to 283.7±43.2 pmol/mL, Δ2.0%; p=0.023). TNF-α was reduced in HFF responders (from 1.8±0.2 to 1.5±0.1 pg/mL, Δ-17.8%) compared to HFF non-responders (from 1.5±0.2 to 1.5±0.1 pg/mL, Δ-4.4%) but was not significant (p=0.231). Conclusions: Reductions in HFF through lifestyle changes were associated with greater reductions in markers of lipid peroxidation, but not inflammation. The effect of lifestyle intervention on HFF may be mediated by markers that extend beyond traditional clinical risk factors among high-risk youth.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01CA057140

  NIH · $1.4M · 1995

• SIRC Research, Education, & Training Core

  NIH · $20.3M · 2017

• NIH Grant R18DA005661

  NIH · $661k · 1993

Frequent coauthors

• Timothy C. Guetterman

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  52 shared

• John W. Creswell

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  51 shared

• Charles Deutsch

  Harvard University

  51 shared

• Joseph J. Gallo

  Johns Hopkins University

  50 shared

• Britt Dahlberg

  Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

  49 shared

• Daphne C. Watkins

  University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

  49 shared

• Fran Barg

  University of Pennsylvania

  49 shared

• Marsha Wittink

  49 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Clinical Psychology

  University of Washington

  1981

• Other, Social Welfare

  University of California-Los Angeles

• B.A., Experimental Psychology

  University of California-Santa Barbara

  1974

Awards & honors

• Resilience in Arizona Hispanic Leaders. Inst. for Mental Hea…
• AIDS RISK: MEXICAN AMERICAN IDU FATHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN.…