Deepika Rao, Ph.D.

Dr. Deepika Rao smiling in an indoor setting

Assistant Professor of Health Outcomes

Deepika Rao is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Health Outcomes at the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Rao received her Ph.D. in Health Services Research in Pharmacy (2022) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison along with a graduate minor in prevention and intervention science. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Pharmacy Administration (2018) from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Pharmacy (2016) from the University of Mumbai, India. Dr. Rao has completed a National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) T32-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health (CTBH), Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College.

Dr. Rao's research is focused on the development and implementation of patient-centered interventions in the prevention and treatment of substance use and mental health disorders, especially focused on the role of pharmacists and in pharmacy settings. In her work, Dr. Rao utilizes community engaged research methods, dissemination and implementation sciences, and qualitative and mixed methodologies. Her recent work leverages the rich potential of digital technologies in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders as well as the treatment and management of co-occurring conditions such as chronic pain, pregnancy, and mood disorders. Her research has been funded by the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists Foundation (previously CPNP), Sonderegger Research Center at UW-Madison, and a NIDA P30 pilot grant from CTBH.

Education 
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
MS, Duquesne University
BPharm, University of Mumbai

Research Profile
ORCid: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2927-7639
NCBI:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/deepika.rao.2/bibliography/public/
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&pli=1&user=wjjNSvQAAAAJ
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Deepika-Rao
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deepika-rao-ab00b4112/

Selected Recent Publications
*Denotes student(s)/trainee(s) at the time of the study.

CORE Area: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research

Rao D, Ford JH, Shiyanbola OO. Patient and pharmacist perspectives on opioid misuse screening and brief interventions in community pharmacies. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2024 Apr 8;19(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00460-y.

Lord SE, Rao DMindful moms: acceptability and impact of co-designed and digitally delivered video meditations for pregnant and parenting women with opioid use disorder. Ann Med. 2025 Dec;57(1):2486585. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2486585. Epub 2025 Apr 18. 

Rao D, Stevenson B*, Shiyanbola OO. Using the integrated theory of health behavior change to assess factors affecting diabetes medication adherence among black adults during COVID-19: an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Ethn Health. 2023 Oct;28(7):983-1005. doi: 10.1080/13557858.2023.2198683.

CORE Area: Healthcare Systems Research

Rao D, McAtee C*, Mercy M*, Shiyanbola OO, Ford JH. An implementation-focused qualitative exploration of pharmacist needs regarding an opioid use disorder screening and brief intervention. Subst Use Addctn J. 2024 Jan;45(1):24-32. doi: 10.1177/29767342231211428.

Rao D, Mercy M*, McAtee C*, Ford JH, Shiyanbola OO. A scoping literature review of pharmacy-based opioid misuse screening and brief interventions. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2023 Aug;19(8):1157-1170. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.05.003. Epub 2023 May 16. 

McLeman B, Gauthier P, Lester LS, Homsted F, Gardner V 3rd, Moore SK, Joudrey PJ, Saldana L, Cochran G, Harris JP, Hefner K, Chongsi E, Kramer K, Vena A, Ottesen RA, Gallant T, Boggis JS, Rao D, Page M, Cox N, Iandiorio M, Ambaah E, Ghitza U, Fiellin DA, Marsch LA. Implementing a pharmacist-integrated collaborative model of medication treatment for opioid use disorder in primary care: study design and methodological considerations. Addict Sci Clin Pract. 2024 Mar 18;19(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s13722-024-00452-y. 

Significant/Recent Activities

University/College Service Activities

  • Mentor, UTeams
Contact Information
Phone:
Campus location:
PHR 3.209B

US Mail Address:
UT College of Pharmacy-Health Outcomes
2409 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78712

FEDEX Address:
2409 University Avenue 
PHR 3.209B
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712