Mary Hawk

Mary Hawk is a Professor and Chair in the Behavioral and Community Health Sciences department at the University of Pittsburgh, with secondary faculty status in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology. Her work focuses on social justice and health equity, particularly for oppressed populations affected by substance use disorders, HIV/AIDS, and harmful policies. She teaches courses in public health program planning and harm reduction approaches.

• Key Research Areas: Structural interventions, program evaluation, community-engaged approaches, stigma reduction in healthcare, harm reduction principles, HIV-related health disparities.
• Awards:
  • Catherine Cartier Ulrich Memorial Award (2011)
  • Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society (2013)
  • James L. Craig Teaching Award (2016)
  • Chancellor’s Distinguished Research Award Nominee (2022)
• Grants & Leadership: Serves as Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) on NIDA-funded studies and training grants (D43, T32) focused on HIV disparities and implementation science globally.
• Community Impact: Co-founder of The Open Door, Inc., a harm reduction housing program for chronically homeless individuals with HIV and mental health/substance use challenges.