top of page

MISSION

The Pharmacy Addictions Research & Medicine (PhARM) Program addresses systemic barriers, inequities, and stigma related to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction interventions by conducting innovative research and providing education and resources informed by people with lived experience to health professionals, paraprofessionals, academics, and community members.

educational programs

joint logo of the Texas Targeted Opioid Response and Texas Opioid Training Initiative
TEACH OUD logo

Meet The Team

FACULTY & STAFF

headshot of Tyler Varisco

Tyler Varisco, PharmD, PhD

Director

headshot of Jenny Carrasco

Jenny Carrasco, MA

Program & Communications Manager

headshot of Molly Nichols

Molly Nichols, PharmD, MS

Research Fellow

headshot of Daniel Sledge

Daniel Sledge, LP

Academic Detailer

headshot of Lindsey Loera

Lindsey Loera, PharmD

Associate Director

headshot of Mona Keshvarzi

Mona Keshavarzi, BA

Research Program Coordinator

headshot of Deepika Rao

Deepika Rao, PhD

Affiliate Member

headshot of  Carlos Tirado

Carlos Tirado, MD, MPH

Medical Consultant

headshot of Jennifer Bosworth

Jennifer Bosworth, PharmD

Associate Director

headshot of Kiyoung Kim

Kiyoung Kim, PhD, MPH

Data Analyst

headshot of Sophia Rhoades

Sophia Rhoades, MSc

Implementation Associate

headshot of Claire Zagorski

Claire Zagorski, MSc, LP

Affiliate Member

TRAINEES

headshot of Parasto Mousavi

Parasto Mousavi, PharmD

Graduate Research Assistant

headshot of Brittany Herman

Brittany Herman

P3 Research Assistant

headshot of Abolfazl Sadeghi

Abolfazl Sadeghi, PharmD, HTA, MSc

Graduate Research Assistant

headshot of Marissa Johnson

Marissa Johnson

P3 Research Assistant

HomeTop

We're pleased to share that Dr. Tyler Varisco has officially joined us as the new Director of the PhARM Program!
 
Dr. Varisco is a registered pharmacist and trained health services researcher whose work focuses on improving the quality of care for people with a substance use disorder. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy and his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes and Policy from the University of Houston College of Pharmacy.
 
Throughout his career, Dr. Varisco has led impactful, collaborative efforts to expand access to treatment. He played a key role in developing the Pharmacy Access to Resources and Medication for OUD Practice Guideline, and currently serves as a subject matter expert for SAMHSA’s revision of Treatment Improvement Protocol 63, which guides the use of medications for opioid use disorder across the country. His research continues to shape how policy influences both patient and provider experiences in behavioral health and addiction care.
 
We’re excited to welcome Dr. Varisco into this leadership role and look forward to the expertise and vision he brings to the PhARM Program.

Leading the Way Forward: Meet Our New Director

bottom of page