Dipali Rinker

Dipali Rinker serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy, where she is affiliated with The PREMIER Center. Her research program examines prevention strategies for high-risk behaviors with emphasis on social determinants of health and behavior change mechanisms, particularly among college populations. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and certified Motivational Interviewing trainer, she integrates clinical expertise with academic research.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Public Health (Behavioral Sciences/Health Promotion and Epidemiology/Biostatistics) from University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health
• M.A. in Clinical Psychology from University of Houston-Clear Lake
• B.A. in Psychology from Trinity University

Rinker's research focuses on normative and motivational interventions targeting substance use reduction, with particular attention to social norms, identity processes, and perceived evaluations of consequences. Her work employs advanced methodological approaches including latent class analysis to identify behavioral subtypes and test intervention efficacy. Current projects examine structural determinants of health in medical education and problem gambling among diverse student populations.

Publication trends from 2013-2022 reveal consistent contributions to alcohol and gambling research, with increasing emphasis on structural determinants of health and cross-cultural applications. Her work demonstrates methodological sophistication through innovative use of social network analysis and diagnostic classification systems, while maintaining practical relevance for campus-based interventions.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Research Society on Alcoholism Junior Investigator Award (2018)
• National Center for Responsible Gaming Poster Award Honorable Mention (2017)
• Multiple travel scholarships and traineeships from national organizations
• Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi honor society memberships

Professional activities encompass Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers certification, American Counseling Association membership, and leadership in structural determinants of health training for medical students. Her clinical license and MITI coaching certification support translational research bridging behavioral theory with practice. Current work with The PREMIER Center focuses on expanding intervention frameworks to address systemic health determinants while mentoring future researchers in addiction science.

Rinker maintains active laboratory affiliations through The PREMIER Center at UH College of Pharmacy and previously contributed to the Social Influences and Health Behaviors Lab at University of Houston. Her collaborative network spans public health, psychology, and medical education disciplines, facilitating interdisciplinary approaches to complex behavioral health challenges.