Lee Hoffer

Lee Hoffer is a Professor of Anthropology and Psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University, specializing in cultural and medical anthropology. He serves as the Director of Graduate Programs in Anthropology and leads the Social Simulation in Cultural Anthropology (SSCA) research lab.

• Ph.D. in Anthropology, University of Colorado, Denver (2002)
• M.P.E. in Medical Anthropology, Washington University School of Medicine (2004)

Dr. Hoffer’s research bridges agent-based modeling, ethnography, and epidemiology to study illicit drug markets, substance use disorders, and HIV risk behaviors. His work focuses on understanding how drug acquisition, market dynamics, and policy interventions affect users’ lives and public health outcomes.

Recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach, with studies on heroin market structures (2009-2016), agent-based modeling applications (2012-2013), and the social ecology of drug use. Key collaborations include NIH/NIDA-funded projects and technical support for community health providers.

• National Academies of Sciences co-authored report on Opioid Epidemic and Pain Management (2017)

Dr. Hoffer mentors graduate students like Allison Schlosser, Kelley Kampman, and Hannah Toneff, and teaches courses in Economic Anthropology, Drug Policy, and Qualitative Research Methods. His lab (SSCA) develops computational tools to simulate drug use dynamics and inform harm reduction strategies.