Dr. Juan Carlos Cespedes M.D., Ph.D.
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REVIEW USMeet Dr. Juan Carlos Cespedes M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Juan Carlos Cespedes brings a unique and dynamic background to Pacifica as a coach, consultant, and Clinical Director. With a Master’s in Clinical Research, a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, and a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Dr. Cespedes merges extensive academic knowledge with real-world experience. His work has taken him internationally, including research travels to Ghana and other parts of Africa, and a prestigious NIH internship with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, where he focused on neuronal regeneration.
Dr. Cespedes has further specialized clinical training in child and adolescent psychiatry through several clinical rotations at Harvard University in Boston Children’s Hospital as well as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Cespedes currently serves as a Pediatric Resident at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Outside of academic spheres, he is also passionate about mentorship and youth development and has hands-on experience coaching youth soccer teams and leading youth mentorship programs from middle school ages to medical students completing their respective programs.
As a co-founder of Pacifica Counseling & Psychiatry alongside his wife, Dr. Hanna Cespedes, he now oversees clinical education efforts, internship opportunities for students, and consulting services. At his core, Dr. Cespedes is a proud father of three, bringing both professional excellence and personal passion to every individual, couple, and family he serves.
Education
- Mercer University School of MedicineDoctor of Medicine- 2025
- Morehouse School of MedicineDoctor of Philosophy: Biological Sciences- 2022
- Emmanuel CollegeBachelor of Science, magna cum laude, major: Biology- 2014
Training
- Clinical Site LeadAtrium Health Navicent COVID-19 Vaccination Administration2021 - 2022
- Shadowed Family PhysicianDr. Paul Raber Family Practice2013 - 2013
Work Experiences
- Clinical Director and Co-ownerPacifica Counseling2023 - Present
Professional Affiliations
- MemberNRHA
- MemberASTMH
- MemberPhi DE
Awards
- Covid award recipientGraduate School2025
- Fogarty Summer Research FellowGraduate School2019
- NIH Summer internship awardGraduate School2017
- Full Ride ScholarshipUndergraduate2014
- Who’s Who Among Colleges in AmericanUndergraduate2014
- Dean’s List (all semesters)Undergraduate
- Tri-beta memberUnfdergraduate
Publications
- June 2022
- Harbuzariu A, Nti A, Harp KO, Cespedes JC, Driss A, Stiles JK. Neuregulin-1/ErbB4 signaling modulates Plasmodium falciparum HRP2-induced damage to brain cortical organoids. iScienceMay 2022
- Nti AM, Botchway F, Salifu H, Cespedes JC, Harbuzariu A, Onyekaba J, Chambliss C, Liu M, Adjei A, Jolly P, Stiles JK. Effects of Iron Supplements on Heme Scavengers in Pregnancy. Am J Trop Med Hyg.September 2021
- Chambliss C, Richardson T, Onyekaba J, Cespedes J, Nti A, Harp KO, Buchanan-Perry I, Stiles JK, Gee BE. Elevated neuregulin-1β levels correlate with plasma biomarkers of cerebral injury and high stroke risk in children with sickle cell anemia. Endocr Metab SciJune 2021
- Annette M. Nti, Felix Botchway, Hassana Salifu, Juan Carlos Cespedes, Adriana Harbuzariu, John Onyekaba, Nelly Yatich, Mingli Liu, Andrew Adjei, Pauline Jolly, Jonathan K. Stiles. Alteration of heme and heme scavengers in Ghanaian pregnant women by iron supplementation. Am J Trop Med HygSeptember 2021
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