Dr. Azul DelGrasso

Azul DelGrasso, PhD (Romani), is a multifaceted expert with a distinguished 28-year career in public health and capacity-building assistance. His expertise in this field is unparalleled, and he has now transitioned to focus on psychedelic consultation, ceremony work, and academic research. Azul continues to occasionally consult with public health organizations around sexual health and care, leveraging his vast expertise while now placing a greater emphasis on consciousness studies and the transformative potential of psychedelics.

During his public health career, Azul provided national training and technical assistance in critical areas like Social Determinants of Health, Racial Equity, and Culturally Affirmative Care for LGBTQ+ communities, supported by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) through Capacity Building Assistance (CBA) programs. He was also a key figure in promoting sex positivity, sexual health, and trauma-informed approaches. Azul spearheaded the first rapid HIV testing program in Mexico, collaborating with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and CAPASITS in Baja California. Additionally, as one of two testing counselors during the 2010 Magic Johnson HIV Testing Tour, he tested high-risk individuals across all 48 continental US states. Azul also served as one of the first PrEP coordinators in Los Angeles County, leading over fifteen PrEP Institutes nationwide.

Now, after dedicating the past decade to exploring 5-MeO-DMT, Azul has recently graduated in Transformative Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies, where his research focuses on consciousness and psychedelics. His lifelong involvement with psychedelic ceremonies, rooted in his Romani traditions, has continued since he was 18, shaping his approach to transformative healing practices.

With Dual Master's Degrees in Latin American Studies from California State University Los Angeles and Ecopsychology from Naropa University, Azul bridges public health, consciousness, and social justice. After over a decade in Los Angeles, Azul now lives in Denver, Colorado, and is fully dedicated to his consulting, ceremonial practice, and academic research—his unwavering commitment is evident in his efforts to help individuals ascend their voices through psychedelic experiences.

CV PREVIEW

Full CV Available Upon Request

EDUCATION

California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA
Ph.D., Transformative Studies, Certificate and Focus in Consciousness Studies, expected May 2025.

Dissertation: “5-MeO-DMT and Unitive Consciousness: Reframing Self, Global Justice, and Ecological Renewal Through Psychedelic Spiritual Rebirth.”

Naropa University, Boulder, CO
MA, Ecopsychology, International Ecopsychology Society, May 2020

Thesis: “5-MeO-DMT and Nature Interconnectedness: Understanding Ecological Identity Through the Art of Living Resurrection”
Advisor: Professor Travis Cox

California State University Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
MA, Latin American Studies, Golden Key Honour Society, December 2008

Thesis: “Border Health and Revolutionary Movements in Latin America” Advisor: Professor Manuel Aguilar

Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO
BA, Major: Modern Languages, Chicano Studies. Minor: Fine Art, Philosophy. Phi Sigma Iota, May 2004

RESEARCH, SPEAKING, AND TEACHING INTERESTS

The social, cultural, and political history of psychedelic environments

5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT)
Ecopsychology and social movements.
History and theory of psychedelic phenomenology
Trauma-informed models and traditional ceremony of the southwest
Race and the design ofprofessions in American psychedelic policy
Consciousness and Social movements
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in healthcare and psychedelics settings

PUBLICATIONS

“Visionary Art as Evolving Consciousness," Journal of Conscious Evolution: Vol. 19, Article 4. 2022
“Los Angeles County Latino Heritage Calendar and Cultural Guide” 2012-2022, Los Angeles, CA
“Rapid HIV Testing in Outreach and Other Community Settings in the United States, 2004–2006”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, November 30, 2007 / Vol. 56 / No. 47, Atlanta, GA
“Rapid HIV Testing in Transgender Communities by Community-Based Organizations in Three Cities-United States,” Public Health Reports / 2008 Supplement 3 / Volume 123 Atlanta, GA
“Lost In Art of Cultural Fusion” September 21, 2006, Los Angeles Journal, Los Angeles, CA
“Lalo”, Pluma Fronteriza, Winter 2005, Volume 5, No. 1, El Paso, TX
Art Manifest “Chicano Digitalismo”, Diario Milenio February 15, 2004, Mexico City, Mexico

PRESENTATIONS

“Utilizing Psychedelics to Treat HIV-Related PTSD: Understanding Prevalence, Safety Considerations, and Protocols” 2023 United States Conference on HIV / AIDS, Washington D.C., Expected September 2023

“Ecopsychedelic Practices for Addressing Eco/Social Crisis” Pre-conference Workshop—2023 MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference, Denver, Colorado, June 2023

“Visionary Art as Evolving Consciousness” The Science of Consciousness Conference, Taormina, Sicily

May 2023

“Utilizing Psychedelics to Treat HIV-Related PTSD: Understanding Prevalence, Safety Considerations, and Protocols” 2023 National Latinx Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, May 2023

“Psychedelics & 5-MeO-DMT” Modern Hippie Podcast, November 2022
“But First, Therapy - Climate Anxiety, Psychedelics and Ecotherapy” Greenish Podcast, February 2021

“Culturally Responsive Care to Reduce Stigma” National Latinx Conference on HIV, HCV, & SUD, Virtual, 2020, 2021

“Providing Expedited Access to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) at Denver Metro Health Clinic, a Categorical STD Clinic” National Latinx Conference on HIV, HCV, & SUD, San Antonio, Texas, 2019

“Developing Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Services in Native Communities” United States Conference on HIV & AIDS, Washington, DC 2019

“Cause Behind Cause, Undoing Racism to End the HIV Epidemic” United States Conference on HIV & AIDS, Washington, DC, 2019

“Overview of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis” Circle of Harmony HIV/AIDS Wellness Native American Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico 2019

“HIV Testing in Retail Pharmacy Settings, Curriculum Development & HIV Testing in Action” National HIV Prevention Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, 2019

“Outcomes of two Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis summits in the Midwest” National Ryan White Conference on HIV Care & Treatment, National Harbor, Maryland, 2018
“Abstract- Testing America” International AIDS Society Conference Rome, Italy, July 2011

“Rapid HIV Testing in Border Cities” Mexican National Conference on HIV/AIDS, Leon, Guanajuato November 2007