
Charlie Summers came to Heller with a background in case management and qualitative research. After working as a graduate research assistant on Opioid Policy Research Collaborative team for two years, they are now working full-time as a research associate. Previously, they received their Master's in Anthropology from Brandeis, with a focus on the anthropology of substance use. Their work at Heller is also focused on substance use and harm reduction, particularly surrounding housing and drug checking. One of their main responsibilities is helping to manage the web-based platform StreetCheck, which collects data on the local drug supply to help support local harm reduction organizations and keep people informed about the local drug supply.