Ilana Pinsky, Ph.D.

 

Dr. Ilana Pinsky is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in mental health, addiction, and public health. She earned her Ph.D. from the Federal University of São Paulo, where her research centered on public health issues related to alcohol policy and substance use. As a Fulbright scholar, she completed part of her Ph.D. studies at Rutgers University’s Center of Alcohol Studies. With a prolific academic career, Dr. Pinsky has authored over 80 scientific articles and five books, contributing significantly to the field of addiction research, particularly in Brazil.

She has held leadership roles, including serving as Vice President of the Brazilian Association for the Study of Alcohol and Other Drugs (ABEAD), and has acted as a consultant for international organizations such as the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Pinsky also served as an associate professor at Columbia University, contributing to a large NIH-funded mental health initiative in Mozambique.

Her research spans alcohol policy, mental health, and the integration of behavioral science into public health strategies. Dr. Pinsky is committed to developing evidence-based interventions for substance use disorders that are adaptable to diverse populations. Beyond academia, she has actively worked to make scientific findings accessible to the public, most recently through her role as a columnist for Veja, a leading magazine in Brazil.