Dr. Thomas Stopka, PhD, MHS, is an Epidemiologist and Professor with the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Stopka's current mixed methods research focuses on the intersection of substance use disorder, opioid overdose, and infectious diseases (HCV, HIV, STIs). He employs qualitative, biostatistical, geographic information systems (GIS), spatial epidemiological approaches in multi-site interdisciplinary studies, and public health interventions to better understand and curb opioid-related morbidity and mortality. He is currently MPI on four clinical trials and observational studies funded by the NIH, CDC, and SAMHSA to test new mobile telemedicine-based HCV treatment and harm reduction models; employ Bayesian spatiotemporal models to predict opioid overdose spikes to inform pre-emptive public health responses; evaluate overdose prevention impacts of administration of extended-relief buprenorphine in corrections facilities, and examine xylazine exposure and the risk of skin and soft tissue infections among people who inject drugs. Dr. Stopka is also Co-Chair of the Tufts Research Cluster focused on Equity in Health, Wealth, and Civic Engagement, and Co-Chair of the Public Health and Community Medicine Departmental Research Committee at Tufts. He teaches courses in GIS and spatial epidemiology, research methods for public health, and epidemiology. He enjoys mentoring research assistants, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty.