Dr. Dean Rivera is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Postdoctoral Research Scientist at SIG's T32 Training Program on HIV and Substance Use in the Criminal Justice System.
Bio
Dr. Dean Rivera is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Columbia University School of Social Work. Since 2003, Dr. Rivera’s research and professional experience have centered on addressing system- and individual-level factors that impact the treatment and recovery of individuals and families affected by substance use disorders (SUD). At Columbia University, he has advanced his expertise in implementation science through his work on the HEALing Communities Study, a landmark initiative aimed at reducing opioid overdose deaths and increasing access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment across 67 communities in four states.
Dr. Rivera’s current research program centers on developing and implementing a scalable hybrid digital health intervention to enhance SUD treatment services for justice-involved populations in problem-solving courts. This innovative intervention integrates digital therapeutics as an adjunct to traditional court-ordered treatment services. By bridging the gap between conventional treatment models and emerging technological solutions, Dr. Rivera’s work seeks to increase treatment linkage, retention, substance use abstinence, and long-term recovery outcomes. His research program leverages technology to enhance SUD treatment delivery, driving innovation within multisystem intervention models like problem-solving courts and their associated treatment programs.
Through an implementation science framework, Dr. Rivera’s research focuses on multisystem and multilevel implementation of evidence-based interventions and practices that will improve SUD treatment delivery systems, treatment provision, and outcomes for individuals and communities affected by SUDs.
Dr. Rivera is an exceptional tenure-track assistant professor candidate, bringing a wealth of practice and research expertise in designing and implementing SUD treatment interventions. He has received world-class mentorship and training and is currently partnering with world-renowned experts to implement his research program. Dr. Rivera is poised to expand a university’s research portfolio, secure extramural funding, and provide high-quality mentorship and instruction to students. With a National Institute on Drug Abuse K01 award under review, he plans to join the professoriate in fall 2025, bringing his visionary research program to advance innovation in a School of Social Work.
Dean holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Southern California, an MSW from California State University, East Bay, and a BA in Human Development from California State University, East Bay.
