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 a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded mixed methods study on the harm reduction vending machines in Nevada.
Faculty mentors
- Karla Wagner (advisor)
- Jennifer Pearson
- Kristen Clements-Nolle
- Stephanie Koning
- Jessie Clark
Awards
- 2024: Student Development Award, School of Public Health
- 2023: Student Development Award, School of Public Health
- 2022: Student Project Stipend, Western Regional Public Health Training Center
- 2021-22: Graduate Dean’s Merit Scholarship Award
- 2021: Graduate Student Research Stipend, Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
Professional Affiliations
- 2024 – Present Member, Delta Phi Chapter, Delta Omega Public Health Honorary Society
- 2023 – Present President, School of Public Health Ph.D. Club, 性爱五色天, Reno
- 2023 – Present Member, Nevada 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). , 128, 104456.
- Kirk MR, Wagner KD, Yang W. (2024). Gambling and substance misuse in Nevada: Applying the common liability to addiction model to behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey data. Nevada 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) 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, 性爱五色天, Reno
- 2014 MPH, Boston University
- 2008 B.S., Health Science, California State University, Chico