Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Dr. Mariano Kanamori is an epidemiologist specializing in biomedical HIV prevention, Substance Use Disorders, and cancer. He is Professor and Director of the Division of Prevention Science and Community Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and Co-Director of the Equity and Implementation Science Core at the UM Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health. He holds a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Maryland and an M.A. from Georgetown University. Dr. Kanamori has pioneered tailored, multilevel social network-based interventions, including a spatially explicit model integrating four network types — dyadic, egocentric, sociocentric, and two-mode — with GIS. Initially applied to HIV and substance misuse prevention, this model is now being adapted with AI for cancer prevention and control. He has partnered with Grammy-winning musicians and celebrity influencers to create culturally resonant health messaging and developed an AI-powered avatar to enhance community engagement. He serves as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH R01s and a DP1 award combining implementation science, social networks, and innovative outreach in randomized clinical trials: an NIAID R01 (R01AI169643; 2022–2028) testing FINISHING HIV, a hybrid effectiveness–implementation trial integrating one-stop-shop PrEP services with social network support; an NIAID R01 (R01AI191576; 2025–2030) evaluating PrEP & Soccer, a cluster RCT delivered through a national pharmacy chain; and a NIDA DP1 (DP1DA058988; 2028) supporting ÚNETE, a multilevel RCT addressing substance use disparities among Latino young adults. In recognition of his outstanding mentorship, Dr. Kanamori has received numerous awards, including the 2025 Luis Glaser Graduate Mentorship Award — the most prestigious mentorship honor at the University of Miami — and the 2022 International Hispanic Science Network Excellence in Mentorship Award.
Professor and Director Division of Prevention Science and Community Health Department of Public Health Sciences University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Currently in the mentored training phase of my NIDA-funded K99/R00 project applying multilevel social network analysis to substance use disorders and HIV among Latino seasonal workers (FIU; 1K99DA041494-01A1; PI: Kanamori). The goal of this project is to provide the foundation for culturally-tailored, social-network based interventions to reduce substance use disorders and HIV among Latino seasonal workers.
Scientific Director of the project "HIV Risk Reduction in High Risk Latina Migrant Workers in South Florida". This project and the Post-Doctoral position were funded by an NIMHD P20 Exploratory Center of Excellence grant (C-SALUD; P20MD002288; PI: De La Rosa).
Two graduate level courses “Chronic Disease Epidemiology” and “Epidemiologic Study Design” Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, School of Public Health, The University of Maryland
Principal Investigator on the project “Trends in African children’s exposure to vulnerability, severe deprivation and absolute poverty.” Results published by USAID.
Research support on the project “Oral Health of Latino and Ethiopian Children and Their Mothers.” (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 1R21HD060294-01A2; PI: Olivia Carter-Pokras)
"Psychosocial determinants associated with orphans/vulnerable children’s educational opportunities and reinsertion to society." (USAID-PEPFAR, Salesian Missions-Caring Program in Ethiopia, PI: Kanamori).
Research support for the project "Disparities in Tobacco Use Behaviors by Minority Youth and Adults in Maryland" (MD Dept of Health and Mental Hygiene; OPASS-8-9738G; PI: Olivia Carter-Pokras).