Guest Speaker Bio - Dr. Brian Rivers
Brian M. Rivers, Ph.D., MPH, currently serves on the Research Faculty as Assistant Member in the Department of Health Outcomes & Behavior, Division of Population Sciences at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Dr. Rivers is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncologic Sciences, University of South Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Rivers serves as a member of the State Prostate Cancer Advisory Council and on the Executive Council of the Governor appointed Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, purposed to discuss, strategize and implement cancer policy through the state of Florida
For the past twelve years, Dr. Rivers has been immersed in cancer control and prevention research, with a focus on prostate cancer disparities. His previous and current research efforts have entailed examination of the unmet educational and psychosocial needs and the development of communication tools, couple-centered interventions, and evidenced-based methods to convey complex information to at-risk populations across the cancer continuum.
Dr. Rivers brings a unique perspective to addressing cancer health disparities through his focus on translational research; ability to design, implement and sustain multi-level interventions; and the development and incorporation of emerging technologies. Dr. Rivers currently serves as Core Leader within the Moffitt Cancer Center/University of South Florida, Center for Equal Health, a NIMHD funded P20 health disparities center purposed to develop novel strategies at the policy, institutional, and community levels to address the complex phenomena often yielding disparate outcomes. Dr. Rivers and his team are currently exploring the use of iPADs and mobile health applications (apps) to assist with the delivery of credible, salient and tailored cancer information to high risk populations. The initiative, funded by the NIMHD, is purposed to assist individuals with cancer prevention and early detection.
Dr. Rivers received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Vanderbilt University, Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Morehouse School of Medicine, and Doctorate of Philosophy in Health Behavior and Health Promotion from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. Dr. Rivers has participated in numerous post-doctoral training experiences, most notably as a fellow with the Cancer, Culture and Literacy Institute at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, and as an Emerging Leader in Public Health fellow with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the University of North Carolina School of Business, Emerging Leaders in Public Health program. Dr. Rivers received the prestigious NIMHD loan repayment and presently serves as an LRP Ambassador.
