Summary

Research interests

My research focuses on overdose prevention strategies including the distribution of life saving supplies like naloxone and fentanyl test strips. My dissertation research is aNational Institutes of w88 bet(NIH) funded mixed methods study on the harm reduction vending machines in w88 bet.

Faculty mentors

• Karla Wagner (advisor)
• Jennifer Pearson
• Kristen Clements-Nolle
• Stephanie Koning
• Jessie Clark

Awards

• 2024: Student Development Award, School of Public w88 bet
• 2023: Student Development Award, School of Public w88 bet
• 2022: Student Project Stipend, Western Regional Public w88 bet Training Center
• 2021-22: Graduate Dean’s Merit Scholarship Award
• 2021: Graduate Student Research Stipend, w88 bet Council on Problem Gambling

Professional Affiliations

• 2024 – Present Member, Delta Phi Chapter, Delta Omega Public w88 bet Honorary Society
• 2023 – Present President, School of Public Health Ph.D. Club, w88 bet, Reno
• 2023 – Present Member, w88 bet Public Health Association
• 2022 – Present Member-in-Training, College on Problems of Drug Dependence

Sponsored Research Projects

• 2024: NIH/NIDA R36 Dissertation Award

Selected presentations and publications

• Kirk MR,Page K, Wagner KD. Concordance of fentanyl self-report and urine toxicology results among a sample of people who use methamphetamine in the Mountain West. (Under review, Clinical Toxicology, 4/2024)
• Kirk MR,Etchart E, Soske J, Harding R, Samuels L, Woodard S, Oman R, Wagner KD. Peer recovery support specialists and substance use emergency department visits: A qualitative study of the patient experience. (Under review, Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 5/2024)
• Erinoso, O, Daugherty, R,Kirk, MR, Harding, RW, Etchart, H, Reyes, A, Page, K, Fiuty, P, & Wagner, KD (2024).Safety strategies and harm reduction for methamphetamine users in the era of fentanyl contamination: A qualitative analysis. International Journal of Drug Policy, 128, 104456.
• Kirk MR, Wagner KD,Yang W. (2024).Gambling and substance misuse in w88 bet: Applying the common liability to addiction model to behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey data. w88 bet Journal of Public Health, 21, 19-27.
• Kirk MR.(2024, January 31). Concordance of fentanyl self-report and urine toxicology results among a sample of people who use drugs. [Conference presentation]. Mountain West Clinical & Translational Research Infrastructure Network Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, United States.
• Kirk MR,Dawkins AD, Wei X, Ajumobi O, Lee LC, Oman R, et al. (2023)What makes a peer? Characteristics of certified peer recovery support specialists in an emergency department-based intervention.PLoS ONE 18(12): e0289920.
• Kirk, M.R., Potter, A.J., & Wilking, J. (2022) “Well, that’s like night and day, being homeless, having nothing.” A qualitative exploration of the experiences of residents and service providers of permanent supportive housing, Housing and Society, DOI: 10.1080/08882746.2022.2114259

Education

• 2025 (anticipated) Ph.D. in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Health, w88 bet, Reno
• 2014 MPH, Boston University
• 2008 B.S., w88 bet Science, California State University, Chico