Experts Guide

Minnick is a social work and public health researcher, educator and community interventionist who specializes in developing environmental strategies, community coalitions and public partnerships to address substance misuse.

Lende is an expert in biocultural medical anthropology, and his research has focused on substance use and abuse, neuroanthropology, behavioral health, stress, journalism and social media, cybersecurity, public and applied anthropology and interventions in behavioral health.

Rigg's research focuses on addiction and improving health outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders. He can discuss addiction training for behavioral healthcare providers, improving treatment outcomes for methadone patients and their families, preventing overdoses in Black and rural communities, the role of nutrition in addiction recovery and reducing stigma surrounding medications for opioid use disorder.

Lawental's research focuses on substance use disorders, women's health, mental health and reproductive health.

Peters' research focuses on treatment of mental and substance use disorders among offenders, mental and substance abuse disorders, treatment alternatives to incarceration and drug court.

Buckles is director of the Addictions & Substance Abuse Counseling Graduate Certificate Program, which enables professionals in mental health, rehabilitation counseling, counselor education, social work, psychology, and other human service fields to enhance their knowledge and skills in marriage and family therapy. Her research focuses on life care plans for adopted children with disabilities, domestic violence and substance misuse.