Carmen Masson

Dr. Carmen Masson is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and a member of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences. Her primary research focuses on improving healthcare access and treatment outcomes for vulnerable populations, particularly individuals experiencing homelessness with substance use disorders and infectious diseases.

Dr. Masson's research interests center on substance use disorders, particularly opioid use disorder, with a strong emphasis on improving access to buprenorphine and methadone treatment among homeless populations. She has pioneered work in shelter-based integrated care models for hepatitis C treatment, demonstrating how education and care coordination can significantly improve treatment outcomes for homeless individuals. Her work also addresses tobacco cessation in substance use treatment settings, health disparities, and the intersection of substance use disorders with infectious diseases including hepatitis C and HIV.

Analysis of Dr. Masson's recent publications reveals a consistent research trajectory focusing on real-world implementation of evidence-based interventions for marginalized populations. Her work frequently employs mixed-methods approaches, combining quantitative clinical trial data with qualitative insights from both patients and providers. The research demonstrates strong translational potential, with multiple studies directly informing clinical practice guidelines for treating substance use disorders in homeless populations and integrating infectious disease care within substance use treatment settings. A notable pattern is her focus on structural barriers to care and developing practical solutions that can be implemented within existing healthcare infrastructure.

• Principal Investigator on NIH R21DA050038 (2020-2022): Expanding Access to Buprenorphine Treatment among Homeless Persons with Opioid Use Disorder
• Principal Investigator on NIH R21DA038304 (2015-2018): Digital Health Technology Use Among Methadone Maintenance Patients
• Principal Investigator on NIH R25DA035163 (2014-2024): Mentoring Emerging Scientists for Careers in Substance Use Research
• Principal Investigator on NIH R01DA020781 (2006-2013): Hepatitis Care Coordination in Methadone Treatment
• Principal Investigator on NIH K01DA000408 (1999-2004): PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE IN INJECTION DRUG USERS
• Principal Investigator on NIH F32DA005768 (1997): REFERRAL SERVICE FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS AT RISK FOR AIDS

Dr. Masson has established a robust research program that bridges substance use treatment, infectious disease management, and healthcare delivery for vulnerable populations. Her work with the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences has created important connections between psychiatry, public health, and clinical medicine. Through her NIH-funded projects and numerous publications, she has developed innovative models for delivering hepatitis C treatment in shelter settings and improving access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder among homeless individuals. Her research consistently addresses the complex interplay between structural factors, healthcare systems, and individual behaviors that affect treatment outcomes for people with substance use disorders.