About
Dr. Juan Aguilera, MD, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in El Paso, where he leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of environmental exposures, chronic disease prevention, and health. His work examines how air pollution, heat, and occupational stressors influence immune, metabolic, and cardiovascular health—particularly among Hispanic and low-income populations along the U.S.–Mexico border. By integrating biomarker analysis, geospatial modeling, and community engagement, his research identifies biological signatures of environmental stress and translates them into actionable public health strategies. Born in Ciudad Juárez, Dr. Aguilera is deeply committed to improving health in the Paso del Norte region. He directs the Community Health Impact Projects (CHIPs) in El Paso, which connects community-based health screenings, biospecimen collection, and program evaluation across schools, worksites, and neighborhood coalitions. Through CHIPs, his team advances studies and evaluations supported by institutional, state, and national sponsors—including the American Society for Nutrition, NIOSH, USDA, Texas Department of State Health Services, and El Paso County. His ongoing studies include population-based exposure surveillance and biomarker research among outdoor workers and firefighters, while also leading federally aligned initiatives examining heat, air pollution, and cardiometabolic risk. Dr. Aguilera also serves as an Affiliate Faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, advancing collaborative studies on air pollution, climate, and metabolic health. Nationally, his work has been recognized through the ISEE Wartenberg Fellowship, NIH Climate and Health Scholars, NextGen Scientist Program by the National Dairy Council, and the GeoCAFÉ Research Network. He also serves as Editorial Director for the Health Promotion Practice journal bridging community practice and implementation science.
Center Affiliation
Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research