Yale University

Robert Heimer, Ph.D.

Roles:
  • Professor of Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases) and of Pharmacology, Yale School of Public Health
Contact:

Biography:

Dr. Heimer's major research efforts include scientific investigation of the mortality and morbidity associated with injection drug use. Areas of investigation include syringe exchange programs, virus survival in syringes, hepatitis B and C transmission and prevention, causes and responses to the overdose crisis, and pharmacological treatment of opiate addiction. His research combines laboratory, operational, behavioral, and structural analyses to evaluate the effectiveness of intervention programs in preventing the negative medical consequences of injection drug use. His current work attempts to provide health and prevention practitioners with information needed to assist their educational and advocacy efforts.

Dr. Heimer received his training in molecular biology and pharmacology at Columbia College (BA) and Yale University (MA, PhD). He began his work on the prevention of HIV among injection drug users in 1990 with an evaluation of the city-run New Haven needle exchange program and his work on emerging infections in 1995 with studies of the tick-borne agent of human ehrlichiosis.

Areas of Expertise:
  • Hepatitis
  • HIV/AIDS
  • HIV/STI prevention
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Injection Drug Use
  • Opioid Overdose Epidemiology and Prevention
  • International
  • Laboratory
  • Program assessment / evaluation
  • Research
  • Substance Use/Abuse