Karin Tobin

Dr. Karin Tobin is a Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society. She serves as Associate Director of Lighthouse Studies @ Peer Point and Training Director of the Overdose Response Program. Her research focuses on how social networks and place-based contexts influence health disparities, particularly among marginalized populations such as people who use drugs, LGBTQ+ communities, and racial minorities. She employs harm reduction frameworks to address issues like HIV/AIDS, overdose prevention, mental health, and trauma.

Education: She holds a PhD (2004) and MHS (2000) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a BS (1993) from Towson University.

Research Interests: Includes behavioral interventions, overdose response, HIV prevention, social networks, harm reduction, and gender-affirming care for transgender individuals. Current projects include evaluating interventions for Black women with HIV and intimate partner violence, and multisector initiatives for transgender health equity.

Publications: Over 40 peer-reviewed articles focusing on drug use, overdose, HIV prevention, and LGBTQ+ health. Recent work explores fentanyl risks, telehealth for opioid treatment, and gender-affirming healthcare readiness.

Awards: Includes the NIH Loan Repayment Program, NIDA awards, and the National Academy of Medicine Catalyst Award for health longevity. Recognized for mentoring and contributions to HIV research.

Grants/Teams: Leads programs like the Overdose Response Program and collaborates on initiatives such as the Peer Mentor HIV prevention trial. Engages in community-based participatory research with organizations like the Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team.

Labs/Teams: Directs the Lighthouse Studies @ Peer Point, a community-based clinic focused on vulnerable populations.