Summary
Mia Rae Kirk's research focuses on overdose prevention strategies including the distribution of life-saving supplies like naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Her dissertation research is a mixed methods study on harm reduction vending machines in Nevada funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Faculty mentors
Awards
- Travel award from the Graduate Student Association, University of Nevada, Reno, 2025
- Graduate dean's merit scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, 2024 to 2025
- Student development award from the School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, 2024
- NIH/NIDA R36 dissertation award, 2024
- Student development award from the School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, 2023
- Travel award from the Graduate Student Association, University of Nevada, Reno, 2023
- Student project stipend from the Western Regional Public Health Training Center, 2022
- Graduate dean’s merit scholarship, University of Nevada, Reno, 2021 to 2022
- Graduate student research stipend from the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, 2021
Professional Affiliations
- Vice president, Northern Nevada chapter, Nevada Public Health Association, 2025 to present
- Treasurer, School of Public Health Ph.D. Club, University of Nevada, Reno, 2024 to 2025
- Member, Delta Phi Chapter, Delta Omega Public Health Honorary Society, 2024 to present
- President, School of Public Health Ph.D. Club, University of Nevada, Reno, 2023 to 2024
- Member, Nevada Public Health Association, 2023 to present
- Member-in-training, College on Problems of Drug Dependence, 2022 to present
Sponsored Research Projects
Current
National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute of Health (Agency)
- Identifying NO. R36DA059418
- Title: Harm reduction vending machines: Exploring and improving acceptability of a low barrier approach to reducing drug related harms
- Project period: June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026
- Role: Principal Investigator
- In this study we will examine the prevalence of use, and barriers and facilitators of using harm reduction vending machines, a novel element of new U.S. based harm reduction service delivery modalities.
Selected presentations and publications
- Kirk, M. R., Page, K. & Wagner, K. D. (2024). 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.
- Kirk, M. R., Clark, J., Clements-Nolle, K., Koning, S., Page, K., Pearson, J. & Wagner, K. D. (2025). Prevalence and correlates of intention to use harm reduction vending machines among people who use drugs in Nevada. (Manuscript submitted for publication) American Journal of Public Health.
- Page, K., Kirk, M. R., Garcia, T., Etchart, H., Chase, B., Harding, R. W., Anderson, J., McCarthy, M., Fiuty, P., Mytinger, K., Erinoso, O. & Wagner, K. D. (2025). High prevalence of social, economic, carceral, and health-related risk factors among people who use methamphetamine and opioids simultaneously. (Manuscript submitted for publication) American Journal of Public Health.
- Kirk, M. R., Devereux, P., Larson, M. & Wagner, K. D. (2025). “It’s a no-brainer to me”: A mixed methods analysis of students’ perceptions of take-home naloxone on college campuses at a large U.S. public university. (Manuscript submitted for publication) Journal of American College Health.
- Kirk, M. R., Etchart, H., Soske, J., Harding, R. W., Samuels, E. A., Woodard, S., Oman, R. F. & Wagner, K. D. (2025). Certified peer recovery support specialists and substance use-related emergency department visits: A mixed methods study of the patient experience. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. 169, 209563, 1-10.
- Kirk, M. R., McCarthy, M., Reyes, A., Chase, B., Anderson, J., Harding, R. W., Fiuty, P., Page, K. & Wagner, K. D. (2024). High concordance between urine toxicology results and self-reported fentanyl use in Nevada and New Mexico. Clinical Toxicology. 1-7.
- Erinoso, O., Daugherty, R., Kirk, M. R., Harding, R. W., Etchart, H., Reyes, A., Page, K., Fiuty, P. & Wagner, K. D. (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, M. R., Wagner, K. D. & 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, M. R. (2024, January 31). Concordance of fentanyl self-report and urine toxicology results among a sample of people who use drugs. Mountain West Clinical & Translational Research Infrastructure Network Annual Conference. Las Vegas, NV, United States.
- Kirk, M. R., Dawkins, A. D., Wei, X., Ajumobi, O., Lee, L. C., 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.
Education
- Ph.D. in Public Health, Social and Behavioral Health, University of Nevada, Reno (anticipated 2025)
- MPH, Boston University
- B.S. in Health Science, California State University, Chico