Bianca D. Rivera

Bianca D. Rivera is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health at the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, School of Arts and Sciences. She joined the department in Fall 2023 and teaches courses including Introduction to Public Health, Introduction to the U.S. Health Care System, Biostatistics, Occupational Health, Epidemiology, and Senior Research Seminars.

Dr. Rivera earned her DrPH in Epidemiology from SUNY Downstate Health Science University, School of Public Health in 2025, an MPH in Epidemiology from the same institution in 2016, and a BA in Comparative Religion with Interdisciplinary Special Honors from CUNY Hunter College in 2014.

Her research focuses on multidisciplinary studies in occupational, social, substance use and cardiovascular epidemiology. Dr. Rivera's primary interest is in access to health services, particularly around care transitions and leveraging digital health interventions in historically disenfranchised groups. Her work often examines health disparities among minority populations and the impact of policy changes on health outcomes.

Dr. Rivera's publication record demonstrates a strong focus on epidemiological studies related to substance use disorders, opioid use disorder treatment, and the impact of policy changes on public health outcomes. Her recent work has examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access, particularly for substance use disorder treatment, as well as racial disparities in health outcomes. She has also published on teen dating violence among minority populations and workplace stress among educators.

Dr. Rivera actively mentors students through Senior Research Seminars and likely advises undergraduate research projects in public health, though specific student names are not listed in available materials. While specific grant information is not provided, her collaborative research suggests involvement in multi-institutional studies, particularly those focused on substance use disorders and health disparities in New York City.

Her work appears to involve collaboration with major NYC hospital systems and public health institutions, particularly in studies examining substance use disorders and COVID-19 outcomes. Dr. Rivera is part of research teams investigating the intersection of public health policy, substance use treatment, and health disparities among vulnerable populations.