Orrin D. Ware, PhD, MPH, MSW is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Dr. Ware has formal graduate and postdoctoral training in behavioral pharmacology, field epidemiology, public health, and social work. He has real-world experience (1) as a clinical social worker in a specialized crisis stabilization unit for individuals experiencing a non-fatal overdose, severe intoxication, or withdrawal, (2) conducting research in an emergency department, (3) as a clinical social worker in outpatient/residential substance use disorder treatment, and (4) providing crisis counseling for persons testing positive for HIV on a mobile clinic in high-risk areas (such as where sex work occurs and substances are traded). Leveraging his formal training and real-world practice experiences, he focuses on research that improves access to services for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

As a C-DIAS Fellow, Dr. Ware intends to improve (1) access to harm reduction and treatment, (2) dissemination and implementation of his research findings, (3) his ability to apply for and receive competitive grant funding, and (4) his research network by collaborating with faculty and fellows associated with C-DIAS.