I was introduced to Harm Reduction through other work and research I was doing at Tampa General Hospital (TGH). While I didn't begin my academic career with Harm Reduction in mind, I have always been interested in how research can be used to actually help people. I am currently finishing a PhD in Applied Medical Anthropology at USF and have been fortunate to gain a lot of research experience in the Emergency Department of TGH, and to work with and learn from people that also desire to help others. This included assisting with some Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Harm Reduction projects that later led to my current position with IDEA Exchange Tampa.

It has been very rewarding to experience the different ways that research can be applied to aid different communities and to learn more about addiction and recovery and the need to change our understanding and narrative around it.