Kurt H. Dermen PhD

Kurt Dermen

Kurt H. Dermen
PhD

Senior Research Scientist

Department of Psychiatry

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Addictions; Behavioral Health; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Drug abuse; Substance Use Disorder

Contact Information
1021 Main St.
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 887-2492
dermen@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Dr. Dermen’s primary research focus has been on developing, evaluating and disseminating motivational and behavioral interventions for treatment of substance use disorders and for health risk reduction and health promotion in substance-using populations. His efforts have involved testing methods to facilitate AA involvement in treatment for alcohol use disorders, identifying factors that affect dissemination of an empirically-supported treatment innovation, developing and piloting a brief motivational intervention to promote oral health in the context of inpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder, and testing the impact of a protocol for tailoring treatment for alcohol use disorder on the basis of clients’ pretreatment drinking trajectories. Most recently, he has led efforts to create a web-delivered intervention based on motivational interviewing (MI) to promote oral health and has contributed to development of a brief, MI-based intervention for couples attending a pre- and post-natal parenting intervention, with the goal of reducing fathers' drinking.

Recently, Dr. Dermen established the UB Motivational Interviewing Center (UBMIC). As director of the UBMIC, Dr. Dermen oversees the Center's delivery of MI training, coaching, and consultation services to UB, the greater Western New York community, and beyond.

Education and Training:

  • PhD, Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (1990)
  • Fellowship, Clinical Fellow in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (1989)
  • Internship, Clinical Psychology Intern, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Brockton, Massachusetts (1989)
  • BS, Psychology, Pennsylvania State University (1982)

Employment:

  • Director, Motivational Interviewing Center, University at Buffalo VP of Research (2020-present)
  • Senior Research Scientist, Psychiatry, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
  • Senior Research Scientist, Research Institute on Addictions (1998–2018)
  • Project Coordinator, Research Institute on Addictions (1990–1998)
  • Research Scientist, Research Institute on Addictions (1990–1998)
  • Research Scientist, Psychology, University at Buffalo College of Arts and Sciences (1993–1995)

Awards and Honors:

  • Dr. Kenneth Altshuler Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research in the Department of Psychiatry (2023)

UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:

  • Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • May 2019–April 2024
    Strong Foundations: Intervening to Promote Co-Parenting and Reduce Father Hazardous Drinking in Expectant Parents
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $2,246,077
  • September 2018–August 2022
    Developing a Tailored, Web-delivered, Motivational Interviewing-based Intervention to Promote Oral Health
    National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $438,625
  • September 2019–August 2021
    University at Buffalo Opioid Workforce Expansion Program Scholars (UB OWEP Scholars): Expanding the Opioid Workforce for High Need and High Demand Areas
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • September 2017–August 2021
    Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $1,920,000
  • July 2017–June 2020
    Behavioral Health Integration in a Native American Primary Care Clinic – HRSA NEPQR
    Health Resources and Services Administration
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $500,000
  • May 2015–April 2020
    Pretreatment Changes in Drinking: A Test of a Tailored Treatment Approach
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $2,978,081
  • July 2018–June 2019
    Addressing Dental and Psychiatric Comorbidities in HIV / AIDS Patients
    University of Rochester Department of Public Health Sciences
    Role: Co-Investigator
    $25,000
  • July 2013–April 2017
    Alcohol and Energy Drink Use, Expectancies, and Sexual Risk Taking
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • July 2004–June 2011
    Dissemination of a MI-Based Preparatory Procedure
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • April 2005–March 2011
    Changes in Women’s HIV Risk Following Alcohol Treatment
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • August 2007–July 2010
    Therapeutic Alliance as a Change Mechanism in Alcohol Treatment
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • September 2005–August 2009
    Brief Motivational Intervention to Promote Oral Health
    National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • September 2003–August 2009
    Preventing Alcohol-Related STD/HIV and Assault
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • May 2003–April 2008
    Restraint & Attributions: Risk Factors in Alcohol Abuse
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • January 1999–December 2004
    Facilitating Involvement in AA in Outpatient Treatment
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • September 1999–August 2004
    A Harm Reduction Approach for Reducing DWI Recidivism
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • May 1999–April 2004
    Adolescent Alcohol Use and High Risk Sexual Behavior
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • September 1998–June 2003
    Enhancing HIV Prevention through Drinking Reduction
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • September 1996–February 1999
    Matching Patients to Alcoholism Treatments: Buffalo CRU
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • September 1994–February 1999
    Spouse Involvement in the Treatment of Alcohol Problems
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • September 1994–May 1998
    Enhancing Involvement in Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • December 1993–August 1995
    Adolescent Alcohol Use and High Risk Sexual Behavior
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
See all (12 more)

Journal Articles:

See all (26 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Dermen KH. (2017) The Sage encyclopedia of abnormal and clinical psychology. In: Secular Organizations for Sobriety. Sage Publications
  • Collins RL, Dermen KH. (2004) Encyclopedia of health and behavior. In: Alcohol abuse and dependence. Sage Publications, 32-37.
  • Connors GJ, Maisto SA, Dermen KH. (1992) Drug and alcohol abuse reviews. In: Alcohol-related expectancies and their applications to treatment. Humana
  • Connors GJ, Dermen KH, Duerr M. (1992) SOS sobriety. In: SOS membership survey: Preliminary results. Prometheus

Professional Memberships:

  • American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (2022–present)
  • Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (1997–present)
  • American Psychological Association (1991–present)
  • Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (1990–present)

Service Activities:

  • Research Institute on Addictions Scientific Review Committee; Chair (2017–2018)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Treatment Advisory Committee (2016)
  • Social/Behavioral Science Scientific Review Working Group; Member (2015–2016)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Executive Advisory Committee (2012–2018)
  • Stutzman Addiction Treatment Center Community Advisory Board, Buffalo, NY; Board member (2006–2016)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Scientist Search Committee (2006–2008)
  • Institutional Review Board (2005–2015)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Post-Doctoral Training Program; Lecturer, Mentor (2002–2018)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Research Development Committee; Member; Chair 2016-2018 (2000–2018)
  • NIAAA, NIDCR, NIH; Reviewer (1997–present)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Emergency Response Team; Member; Chair 1998-2009 (1994–2009)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Seminar Series Committee (1994–1997)
  • Research Institute on Addictions Research Development Program; Lecturer, Preceptor (1990–1998)

School News:

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Contact Information

1021 Main St.
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: (716) 887-2492
dermen@buffalo.edu