Dr. Larkins has worked for Friends Research Institute and UCLA’s Integrated Substance Abuse Programs since 1998. She has lead various international, national, and state-level evaluation, training and capacity-building projects over the last two decades. Prior to these activities, she oversaw epidemiological and clinical research studies investigating the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among substance users, with a focus on treatment interventions for high-risk populations. She has been involved in substance use research for almost 25 years and completed her doctorate in medical sociology at Rutgers University in 1999. Her research interests include stimulant use, opioid use, substance abuse treatment for marginalized populations, sexual risk behaviors associated with substance use, and qualitative methodologies.