Matthew Kirkpatrick

Matthew Kirkpatrick, PhD is an Associate Professor of Research in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. He serves as Principal Investigator of the Drug Use & Behavior Laboratory (DUB Lab), which investigates social contexts of drug use including stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco.

Dr. Kirkpatrick's educational background includes:

• B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Ph.D. in Psychology from Columbia University
• Postdoctoral training in neuropsychopharmacology at the University of Chicago

His research centers on how social networks influence substance use initiation, progression, and cessation. Using behavioral pharmacology, Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), and survey methodologies, he examines interactions between individual factors (mental health, demographics) and social environments. Key focuses include tobacco control, cannabis research, and health disparities among racial/ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ populations. His work integrates laboratory experiments with real-world behavioral data to identify mechanisms driving substance use patterns.

Analysis of recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on digital epidemiology (social media analysis of e-cigarette marketing) and intersectional approaches to health disparities. His research increasingly addresses how social contexts like discrimination and social support impact cessation outcomes, particularly in marginalized communities. Methodologically, he combines traditional lab studies with innovative mobile technology for real-time data collection.

As leader of the DUB Lab, Dr. Kirkpatrick directs research with direct implications for public health policy and targeted intervention design. The lab's work on social determinants of substance use provides critical insights for reducing tobacco- and cannabis-related harms through contextually informed strategies.