UCSF Alumni

Carlos Penilla, DrPH

Title(s)Assistant Professor, Pediatrics
SchoolSchool of Medicine
Address550 16th Street, #4241
San Francisco CA 94158
Phone415-502-2606
ORCID ORCID Icon0000-0002-2212-5432 Additional info
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Collapse Biography 
Collapse education and training
UCSF, San Francisco, CAPostdoctoral Fellow03/2021Pediatrics
UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CADrPH05/2018Public Health
Institute for the Study of Societal Issues, UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CAGraduate Fellow05/2017Social Change Research
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CAMS05/2000Clinical Psychology
Collapse awards and honors
NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities2019Health Disparities Loan Repayment Program
UCSF Latinx Center of Excellence2024Population Health and Health Equity Scholars Program
UCSF2024The Society of Hellman Fellows

Collapse Overview 
Collapse overview
I am Assistant Professor of Adolescent and Young Medicine and public health researcher whose work focuses on improving the quality of preventive healthcare for low-income Spanish-speaking families through my mixed methods intervention research, as well as my program development, implementation and evaluation work with community health organizations. My research examines obesity in Mexican American families, with a special focus on the role that fathers play in preventing obesity in their children. Additionally, my research examines innovative technology-based behavioral interventions in Latin youth to help enhance and ensure cultural representation and responsiveness. My other interests include STEM education, health policy research and mentoring underrepresented minority students.

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Collapse Featured Publications

Collapse Bibliographic 
Collapse selected publications
Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Researchers can login to make corrections and additions, or contact us for help. to make corrections and additions.
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Altmetrics Details PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
  1. Engagement of adolescents with ADHD in a narrative-centered game-based behavior change environment to reduce alcohol use. Front Educ (Lausanne). 2023; 8. Pugatch M, Blum NJ, Barbaresi WJ, Rowe J, Berna M, Hennigan S, Giovanelli A, Penilla C, Tebb KP, Mott M, Kumaran V, Buckelew S, Lester JC, Ozer E. PMID: 39868002; PMCID: PMC11759477.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:
  2. Supporting Adolescent Engagement with Artificial Intelligence-Driven Digital Health Behavior Change Interventions. J Med Internet Res. 2023 05 24; 25:e40306. Giovanelli A, Rowe J, Taylor M, Berna M, Tebb KP, Penilla C, Pugatch M, Lester J, Ozer EM. PMID: 37223987; PMCID: PMC10248780.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  3. 103. The Preferences and Experiences of Adolescents with ADHD in INSPIRE: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study of Engagement and Parent-teen Communication in a Narrative Game-based Learning Environment for Risky Alcohol Use Prevention. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2023 Mar 1; 72(3):s59-s60. Pugatch PM, Hennigan HS, Berna BM, Mott MM, Giovanelli GA, Rowe RJ, Penilla PC, Tebb TK, Ozer OE. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  4. Style of meal service and feeding practices among Mexican American fathers and mothers: An analysis of video-recorded children's evening mealtime at home. Appetite. 2022 02 01; 169:105851. Penilla C, Tschann JM, Pasch LA, Flores E, Deardorff J, Martinez SM, Butte NF, Greenspan LC. PMID: 34883137; PMCID: PMC10324477.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
  5. "What's Important to You, Max?": The Influence of Goals on Engagement in an Interactive Narrative for Adolescent Health Behavior Change. Interact Storytell (2021). 2021 Dec; 13138:379-392. Mott M, Mott B, Rowe J, Ozer E, Giovanelli A, Berna M, Pugatch M, Tebb K, Penilla C, Lester J. PMID: 36354310; PMCID: PMC9639365.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:
  6. “What’s Important to You, Max?”: The Influence of Goals on Engagement in an Interactive Narrative for Adolescent Health Behavior Change. . 2021 Dec 4; 13138:379-392. Mott MM, Mott MB, Rowe RJ, Ozer OE, Giovanelli GA, Berna BM, Pugatch PM, Tebb TK, Penilla PC, Lester LJ. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  7. Leveraging Game-Based Learning Technologies to Introduce Adolescents to Health Science Careers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J STEM Outreach. 2021; 4(4). Spain R, Penilla C, Ozer E, Taylor R, Ringstaff C, Lester J. PMID: 39741554; PMCID: PMC11687384.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions:
  8. Leveraging Game-Based Learning Technologies to Introduce Adolescents to Health Science Careers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Journal of STEM Outreach. 2021 Oct 4; 4(4). Spain SR, Penilla PC, Ozer OE, Taylor TR, Ringstaff RC, Lester LJ. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  9. Fostering Engagement in Health Behavior Change: Iterative Development of an Interactive Narrative Environment to Enhance Adolescent Preventive Health Services. J Adolesc Health. 2020 08; 67(2S):S34-S44. Ozer EM, Rowe J, Tebb KP, Berna M, Penilla C, Giovanelli A, Jasik C, Lester JC. PMID: 32718513; PMCID: PMC9575382.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  10. 258. Adolescent Engagement in a Narrative-Centered Behavior Change System for Preventive Health: Differences by Sex and Alcohol Use. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2020 Feb 1; 66(2):s130-s131. Giovanelli GA, Berna BM, Rowe RJ, Tebb TK, Penilla PC, Lester LJ, Ozer OE. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  11. 116. Engaging Adolescents In A Self-Adaptive Personalized Behavior Change System For Adolescent Preventive Healthcare. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2019 Feb 1; 64(2):s60-s61. Ozer OE, Rowe RJ, Tebb TK, Berna BM, Jasik JC, Penilla PC, Giovanelli GA, Ozer-Staton OM, Kellenberger KA, Lester LJ. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  12. 262. Health Quest: Promoting Adolescents’ Health Science Career Interests Through Technology-Rich Learning Experiences. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2019 Feb 1; 64(2):s134. Ozer OE, Penilla PC, Spain SR, Mott MB, Woodson WD, Lester LJ. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  13. Temporal associations between circadian sleep and activity patterns in Mexican American children. Sleep Health. 2019 04; 5(2):201-207. Martinez SM, Tschann JM, McCulloch CE, Sites E, Butte NF, Gregorich SE, Penilla C, Flores E, Pasch LA, Greenspan LC, Deardorff J. PMID: 30928122; PMCID: PMC6442936.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  14. Sleep duration in Mexican American children: Do mothers' and fathers' parenting and family practices play a role? J Sleep Res. 2019 08; 28(4):e12784. Martinez SM, Tschann JM, Butte NF, Gregorich SE, Penilla C, Flores E, Pasch LA, Greenspan LC, Deardorff J. PMID: 30397969; PMCID: PMC6597317.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  15. Obstacles to preventing obesity in children aged 2 to 5 years: Latino mothers' and fathers' experiences and perceptions of their urban environments. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2017 11 02; 14(1):148. Penilla C, Tschann JM, Sanchez-Vaznaugh EV, Flores E, Ozer EJ. PMID: 29096651; PMCID: PMC5667480.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 22     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  16. Fathers' feeding practices and children's weight status in Mexican American families. Appetite. 2017 10 01; 117:109-116. Penilla C, Tschann JM, Deardorff J, Flores E, Pasch LA, Butte NF, Gregorich SE, Greenspan LC, Martinez SM, Ozer E. PMID: 28629931; PMCID: PMC5675558.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  17. Short Sleep Duration Is Associated With Eating More Carbohydrates and Less Dietary Fat in Mexican American Children. Sleep. 2017 Feb 01; 40(2). Martinez SM, Tschann JM, Butte NF, Gregorich SE, Penilla C, Flores E, Greenspan LC, Pasch LA, Deardorff J. PMID: 28364488; PMCID: PMC6084758.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 23     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  18. Pediatric Behavioral Nutrition Factors. Pediatric Behavioral Nutrition Factors. 2017 Jan 15; 47-70. Tschann TJ, Martinez MS, Penilla PC, Gregorich GS, Pasch PL, De Groat DC, Flores FE, Deardorff DJ, Greenspan GL, Butte BN. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
  19. Preferred Child Body Size and Parental Underestimation of Child Weight in Mexican-American Families. Matern Child Health J. 2016 09; 20(9):1842-8. Pasch LA, Penilla C, Tschann JM, Martinez SM, Deardorff J, de Groat CL, Gregorich SE, Flores E, Butte NF, Greenspan LC. PMID: 27016351; PMCID: PMC5007140.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  20. Parental feeding practices and child weight status in Mexican American families: a longitudinal analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2015 May 20; 12:66. Tschann JM, Martinez SM, Penilla C, Gregorich SE, Pasch LA, de Groat CL, Flores E, Deardorff J, Greenspan LC, Butte NF. PMID: 25986057; PMCID: PMC4453102.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 51     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  21. Is it time for bed? Short sleep duration increases risk of obesity in Mexican American children. Sleep Med. 2014 Dec; 15(12):1484-9. Martinez SM, Tschann JM, Greenspan LC, Deardorff J, Penilla C, Flores E, Pasch LA, Gregorich SE, Butte NF. PMID: 25454984; PMCID: PMC4492433.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 11     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  22. Longitudinal effects of parental, child and neighborhood factors on moderate-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time in Latino children. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Sep 04; 11:108. Butte NF, Gregorich SE, Tschann JM, Penilla C, Pasch LA, De Groat CL, Flores E, Deardorff J, Greenspan LC, Martinez SM. PMID: 25186810; PMCID: PMC4174285.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 21     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  23. Mother-reported sleep, accelerometer-estimated sleep and weight status in Mexican American children: sleep duration is associated with increased adiposity and risk for overweight/obese status. J Sleep Res. 2014 Jun; 23(3):326-34. Martinez SM, Greenspan LC, Butte NF, Gregorich SE, De Groat CL, Deardorff J, Penilla C, Pasch LA, Flores E, Tschann JM. PMID: 24329818; PMCID: PMC4492432.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 19     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  24. Parental feeding practices in Mexican American families: initial test of an expanded measure. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2013 Jan 17; 10:6. Tschann JM, Gregorich SE, Penilla C, Pasch LA, de Groat CL, Flores E, Deardorff J, Greenspan LC, Butte NF. PMID: 23324120; PMCID: PMC3552721.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 34     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  25. Association of beverage consumption with obesity in Mexican American children. Public Health Nutr. 2014 Feb; 17(2):338-44. Beck AL, Tschann J, Butte NF, Penilla C, Greenspan LC. PMID: 23308395; PMCID: PMC4430195.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 26     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  26. Positive affect and mood management in successful smoking cessation. Am J Health Behav. 2010 Sep-Oct; 34(5):553-62. Bränström R, Penilla C, Pérez-Stable EJ, Muñoz RF. PMID: 20524885.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 17     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  27. International Spanish/English Internet smoking cessation trial yields 20% abstinence rates at 1 year. Nicotine Tob Res. 2009 Sep; 11(9):1025-34. Muñoz RF, Barrera AZ, Delucchi K, Penilla C, Torres LD, Pérez-Stable EJ. PMID: 19640833; PMCID: PMC2725004.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 74     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  28. Quitting smoking does not increase the risk of major depressive episodes among users of Internet smoking cessation interventions. Psychol Med. 2010 Mar; 40(3):441-9. Torres LD, Barrera AZ, Delucchi K, Penilla C, Pérez-Stable EJ, Muñoz RF. PMID: 19627638; PMCID: PMC4167741.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 14     Fields:    
  29. Acculturation, parent-adolescent conflict, and adolescent adjustment in Mexican American families. Fam Process. 2006 Mar; 45(1):75-86. Pasch LA, Deardorff J, Tschann JM, Flores E, Penilla C, Pantoja P. PMID: 16615254.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 41     Fields:    Translation:Humans
  30. Toward evidence-based Internet interventions: A Spanish/English Web site for international smoking cessation trials. Nicotine Tob Res. 2006 Feb; 8(1):77-87. Muñoz RF, Lenert LL, Delucchi K, Stoddard J, Perez JE, Penilla C, Pérez-Stable EJ. PMID: 16497602.
    View in: PubMed   Mentions: 58     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
  31. Expanding depression prevention research with children of diverse cultures. Prevention & Treatment. 2002 Jan 1; 5(1):13c. Muñoz MR, Penilla PC, Urizar UG. .
    View in: Publisher Site   Mentions:
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