Projects and Grants per year
Personal profile
Biography
Dr. Martha Tillson is a sociologist by training and currently serves as an Assistant Professor (Research Title Series) in the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Science. She is also an affiliate of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (University of Kentucky) and Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (NYU School of Global Public Health). Her research centers on individuals' experiences of substance use/misuse and related risks, with a focus on factors and services that support harm reduction and recovery, particularly interventions leveraging the expertise of peer recovery support specialists. This work is motivated and informed by her academic background in psychology and social work, desire to reduce stigma and drug-related harms, and lived experience.
Education/Academic qualification
Sociology, Ph.D., An Examination of Three Transitional Events in the Substance Misuse Trajectories of Women with Criminal Legal System Involvement, University of Kentucky
Aug 2020 → Dec 2022
Award Date: Dec 15 2022
Doctor of Philosophy, University Of Kentucky
2022
Master of Arts, University Of Kentucky
2020
Bachelor of Arts, University Of Kentucky
2017
External positions
Affiliate Investigator, Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research
Jun 9 2025 → …
Institutional Review Board Member, National Institutes of Health
Apr 2024 → …
Early career trainee, Initiative for Justice-involved and Emerging Adult Populations (JEAP)
Aug 2021 → Aug 2023
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration from the last 5 years on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
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Treatment Outcome Study for Prison-Based Substance Abuse Treatment - CJKTOS (FY 27 SAP Study)
Staton, C. (PI), Leukefeld, C. (CoI) & Tillson, M. (CoI)
7/1/26 → 6/30/27
Project: Research project
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Support Towards Addiction Recovery for Individuals with Criminal Legal System Involvement: The STAR Project
Tillson, M. (PI), Fallin-Bennett, A. (CoI), Knudsen, H. (CoI), Staton, C. (CoI), Thompson, K. (CoI) & Oser, C. (CoPI)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
3/1/26 → 2/28/27
Project: Research project
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Kentucky Women's Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network - Phase II
Staton, C. (PI), Dickson, M. F. (CoI), Fallin-Bennett, A. (CoI), Fanucchi, L. (CoI), Freeman, P. (CoI), Knudsen, H. (CoI), Stoops, W. (CoI), Thompson, K. (CoI), Tillson, M. (CoI) & Oser, C. (CoPI)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
9/1/25 → 5/31/30
Project: Research project
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Rapid Implementation and Technical Assistance (RITA 2.0) to Expand Access to MOUD in County Jails
McGladrey, M. (PI), Lofwall, M. (CoI), Oser, C. (CoI), Tillson, M. (CoI) & Walsh, S. (CoI)
6/2/25 → 9/30/26
Project: Research project
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Optimizing PrEP Care Delivery through Adaptive Intervention Strategies for Underserved Rural People who Inject Drugs
Surratt, H. (PI), Arnold, E. (CoI), Fanucchi, L. (CoI), Tillson, M. (CoI) & Westgate, P. (CoI)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
9/30/24 → 7/31/29
Project: Research project
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Beyond weak ties in prison: An investigation of core support networks of incarcerated persons
Peng, S., Tillson, M., Rockett, M., Booty, M. & Oser, C. B., May 2026, In: Social Networks. 85, p. 89-97 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
Correlates of recovery capital among women in jails: Leveraging a dimensional recovery framework
Fallin-Bennett, A., Tillson, M., Annett, J., Feld, H. & Staton, M., 2026, In: Addiction Research and Theory. 34, 1, p. 94-109 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
County health rankings, provider shortages, and the health of incarcerated women with opioid use disorder
Urhahn, M., Tillson, M., Gagen, B. & Staton, M., Jan 1 2026, In: Journal of Rural Health. 42, 1, e70130.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Facebook as a Strategy To Deliver a Peer Navigation Intervention for Recently Incarcerated Women with Opioid Use Disorder: A Mixed Methods Descriptive Profile
Tillson, M., Annett, J., Webster, M. A., Fallin-Bennett, A., Webster, M., Clemons, A., Robinson, C., Crabtree, K., Baker-Romans, C. & Staton, M., Jan 2026, In: Community Mental Health Journal. 62, 1, p. 45-59 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Trauma-informed intervention to reduce substance use and to support community transition [TRUST]: Study protocol for a type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial to reduce overdose risk among justice-involved women
Staton, M., Annett, J., Carey, P., Yang, Y., Jones, O., Bills, L., Logan, T. K., Tillson, M., Oser, C. & Knight, K., Dec 2026, In: Trials. 27, 1, 406.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access