Luzan JadKarim, MPH, is a PhD candidate at Duke University School of Medicine in Population Health Sciences (DPHS). She holds a Master of Public Health with an academic background in biology, neuroscience, and psychology. Prior to joining Duke, she conducted research at the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice at Yale School of Medicine under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Wang. At SEICHE, Luzan managed the TCN PATHS project, which aimed to compare the Transitions Clinic Network (TCN) model to standard primary care in improving opioid use disorder treatment and primary care engagement for people recently released from incarceration.
Luzan’s research interests lie at the intersection of substance use disorders, HIV harm reduction, and justice-affected populations, with a particular focus on health and social outcomes for women impacted by incarceration and opioid use disorder. Currently, she is contributing to three manuscripts as part of her work in Dr. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein’s Lab, the Bellwether Collaborative for Health Justice. Her doctoral studies and ongoing projects are aimed at expanding her ability to serve vulnerable communities and improve health outcomes in marginalized populations. She has presented at CPDD, the oldest and largest organization in the U.S. aimed at studying substance use, and has published in journals like PLOS One and the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Beyond academia, Luzan enjoys reading, baking, gaming, exploring local climbing gyms, and visiting ice cream shops around the area.