UCSD Profiles

search, discover, network

Dr. Godino is an Associate Research Scientist in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health at UC San Diego, where he directs the Exercise and Physical Activity Resource Center (EPARC), a university recharge unit specializing in deep phenotyping. Through EPARC, Dr. Godino leads a variety of sponsored research projects, including clinical trials, epidemiological cohort studies, and evaluation of the analytical validity of both on- and off-body sensors that measure various components of human physiology and behavior.

Dr. Godino also serves as the founding Scientific Director of the Laura Rodriguez Research Institute and the Director of Quality Improvement and Innovation at Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD). His research, largely funded by the NIH, focuses on developing and evaluating interventions using mobile and wearable technology—such as smartphones, accelerometers, and heart rate monitors—to promote healthy changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet, and sleep. These efforts aim to prevent chronic diseases, particularly in populations with health disparities. A key aspect of his role at FHCSD is translating these interventions and technologies into routine clinical practice.

In addition to his NIH-funded work, Dr. Godino leads pragmatic quality improvement research efforts within the primary care setting. These efforts are designed to enhance patient care and population health outcomes by integrating evidence-based practices and innovative technologies into everyday clinical workflows. His projects often involve close collaboration with operational leaders, healthcare providers, and patients to ensure that the interventions are effective and sustainable in real-world settings. By focusing on pragmatic research, Dr. Godino aims to bridge the gap between research findings and actual clinical practice, ultimately improving the quality of care delivered to patients.

Dr. Godino earned a BA in Anthropology from Temple University, where he was a member of the Honors Program, followed by an MS in Epidemiology from Temple University, and a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Cambridge. He completed postdoctoral training in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics of Aging program at Johns Hopkins University.