Biography
Rivka joined the Center in November 2024. She works with the Baltimore-based team as a research associate on the CIRCLE Pilot Project Core supporting new and early-stage Indigenous and allied investigators conduct research on substance use prevention, treatment, and policy. She also works on various strengths-based mental health projects using culturally grounded methods to support youth mental health and suicide prevention.
Prior to joining the Center, Rivka worked with several First Nations in northwestern Ontario, Canada, where she is from, on projects relating to traditional child care and protecting Indigenous language, culture and practices. She also has experience working with the Māori of Aotearoa New Zealand on research to uphold Indigenous rights and sovereignty. Throughout all of her work, Rivka aims to continue learning about how Indigenous strengths can promote health and support the sovereignty and rights of Indigenous communities.
Rivka received her MSPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where she studied social and behavioral interventions and health and human rights, and has a BA in psychology, human rights, and theatre from Barnard College of Columbia University.