Assistant Professor
(205) 996-7984
Office Hours: By appointment
Education:
BSW, Seattle University, Social Work
MSW, Washington University in St. Louis, Social Work - Direct Practice Mental Health
PhD, Washington University in St. Louis, Social Work
Dr. Gerke’s scholarship centers community-academic partnerships to promote health with a focus on those living with and/or at risk for HIV. He is also active in the field of implementation science, which seeks to improve health outcomes by understanding and addressing the research-practice gap.
His research is informed by nearly 10 years of social work practice, including positions in which he provided mental health and sexual risk counseling, supervised a peer-driven HIV and substance use prevention program for youth, and managed a portfolio of HIV prevention programs for one of the largest AIDS services organizations in the country.
Dr. Gerke teaches courses in research, program evaluation, substance use disorder and treatment, and HIV.
Outside of work, Dr. Gerke enjoys leading an active lifestyle. He enjoys hiking and walking his dog Mya, and regularly attends Orangetheory. He is also a coffee aficionado and welcomes suggestions for where to get the best coffee in Birmingham.