Carrie Oser

Dr. Carrie Oser is the DiSilvestro Endowed Professor and University Research Professor in the Sociology Department at the University of Kentucky (UK), affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds leadership roles as Associate Director of the Substance Use Priority Research Area (SUPRA) and the Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation (CHET). Her research focuses on addiction health services, HIV risk behaviors, corrections, implementation science, and health disparities, particularly among marginalized populations. Dr. Oser has secured over $142 million in NIH funding, published 140+ peer-reviewed articles, and provided congressional testimony on substance use policy.

Education: BA from the University of Kentucky; MA and PhD in Sociology from the University of Georgia.

Research Interests:

• Interdisciplinary approaches to reducing substance use disparities
• Prison-based medication initiation for OUD
• Rural health equity
• Community-engaged research methods

Notable Achievements:

• Principal Investigator on 7 NIH grants ($7M) + Co-I on $135M
• Recipient of multiple mentoring awards (2015–2023)
• Developed the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program course
• Key contributor to the HEALing Communities Study

Grants & Teams: Leads NIH-funded projects addressing opioid overdose mortality, rural/urban treatment disparities, and PrEP implementation among justice-involved individuals. Collaborates with correctional facilities, community coalitions, and policymakers.

Labs/Teams: Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, Health, Society & Populations Program, and the HEALing Communities Study consortium.