Dara H. Sorkin
Biography
Dara H. Sorkin, Ph.D., is Professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine at the University of California, Irvine. She is Director of the Community Engagement Unit at UCI’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS) and Associate Director of the iTEQC Research Program. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior from UC Irvine, with concentrations in Lifespan Human Development and Health Psychology.
Dr. Sorkin is a behavioral scientist/health services researcher whose research focuses on improving health and reducing disparities by understanding and leveraging the social and community contexts in which health behaviors occur. A central theme of her work is the role of interpersonal relationships and social networks in shaping health behaviors and outcomes, particularly among diverse and historically under-resourced populations. Her research has developed and tested innovative health promotion interventions that harness family and social networks, behavioral incentives, and mobile and digital technologies to promote healthy aging and improve health outcomes.
Dr. Sorkin has served as principal investigator on multiple federally and state-funded studies, including a $10.2 million statewide evaluation of digital mental health technologies funded by the California Mental Health Services Authority and a multi-site NIH-funded study testing a dyadic weight-loss intervention for high-risk Latina mothers and daughters. Her research has also examined mental health screening and care for patients with limited English proficiency and disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among Asian American older adults.
Complementing her research, Dr. Sorkin has extensive expertise in community-engaged research, program evaluation, and implementation science. As Director of the ICTS Community Engagement Unit, she works to strengthen meaningful partnerships among researchers, healthcare systems, community organizations, and the populations they serve. Her work emphasizes translating rigorous research and evaluation methods into practical approaches that help organizations understand impact, strengthen programs, and improve community health.
Dr. Sorkin is an elected Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and recipient of its 2024 Elliot J. Coups Improving Health through Behavioral Medicine Award. She has served on numerous NIH scientific review panels, including as Chair of the Technologies/Innovations for Improving Minority Health and Eliminating Health Disparities review panel. She has authored more than 95 peer-reviewed publications and is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of researchers and practitioners. In recognition of her mentorship, she received UC Irvine’s 2021 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.
Return to topEducation
- B.A. in Psychology and Sociology/Anthropology, Middlebury College, 1996
- Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California, Irvine, 2004
Distinctions
- Elliot J. Coups Improving Health through Behavioral Medicine Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2024
- Herndon Award for Outstanding IJMSC Article, International Journal of MS Care, 2023
- Fellow, Society of Behavioral Medicine, 2024
- Best in ARM, AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, 2016
- Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, 2021
- International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships Travel Award, 2000
- Scholars Abstract Award, Clinical and Translational Research Education Meeting: ACRT/AFMR/SCTS Joint Annual Meeting, 2011
- Translational Research Award for Outstanding Community Research, Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of California, Irvine, 2015
- Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute Fellow, 2019
- Women who make it happen, Womxn's Center for Success, UCI, 2025
Areas of Expertise
- Health Behavior Intervention Design
- Social Network Influences
- Diabetes Self-Management
- Digital Mental Health Tools
- Community-Based Participatory Methods
- Racial Health Disparities
- Dyadic Weight Loss Programs
Recent Publications
- Zhao X, Schueller SM, Kim J, Stadnick NA, Eikey E, Schneider M, Zheng K, Mukamel DB, Sorkin DH, “Real-World Adoption of Mental Health Support Among Adolescents: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the California Health Interview Survey” (opens in new tab), Journal of Pediatric Psychology, vol. 50, no. 1, pp. 20-29, 2025.
- Borghouts J, Eikey EV, De Leon C, Schueller SM, Schneider S, Stadnick NA, Zheng Z, Mukamel DB, Sorkin DH, “Characteristics Associated with the Use of the Mindfulness Meditation App Headspace in a Large Public Health Deployment: A Cross-sectional Survey Study” (opens in new tab), Journal of Formative Research, vol. 9, 2025.
- Cha BS, Kim G, Borghouts J, Eikey EV, Schneider S, Schueller SM, Stadnick NA, Zheng Z, Mukamel DB, Sorkin DH, “Adult digital mental health tool use from 2019-2022: Findings from the California Health Interview Survey” (opens in new tab), Psychiatric Quarterly, 2025.
- Schneider M, Cha, B. S., Borghouts, J., Eikey, E. V., Schueller SM, Stadnick NA, Zheng K, Mukamel DB, Sorkin DH, “Individual and organizational outcomes of engaging peers in the cocreation of digital mental health interventions” (opens in new tab), Psychological Services, 2024.
- Rook, KS, Oleskiewicz, D., Brown, CJ, August, KJ, Smith, AM, Sorkin, DH, “Loneliness and Expanding Social Ties in Later Life: Motivation, Perceived Success, and Implications for Emotional Health” (opens in new tab), The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, vol. 79, no. 10, 2024.
- Hernandez-Ramos R, Schueller SM, Borghouts J, Palomares K, Eikey E, Schneider M, Stadnick NA, Zheng K, Mukamel DB, Sorkin DH, “Evaluation of a pilot implementation of a digital cognitive behavioral therapy platform for isolated older adults in county mental health services” (opens in new tab), Implementation Research and Practice, vol. 5, 2024.
- Bevens W, Stoeckl SE, Schueller SM, Kim J, Cha BS, Chwa C, Stadnick NA, Best NC, Sorkin DH, “Loneliness, online learning and student outcomes in college students living with disabilities: results from the National College Health Assessment Spring 2022” (opens in new tab), Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 15, 2024.
- Zhao X, Varisco R, Borghouts J, Eikey EV, Safani D, Mukamel DB, Schueller SM, Sorkin DH, “Facilitators of and barriers to County Behavioral Health System Transformation and Innovation: an interview study” (opens in new tab), BMC Health Services Research, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 604, 2024.
- Cervantes-Ortega M, Palma AM, Rook KS, Biegler KA, Davis KC, Janio EA, Kilgore DB, Dow E, Ngo-Metzger Q, Sorkin DH, “Health-related social control and perceived stress among high-risk Latina Mothers with Type 2 Diabetes and their at risk adult daughters” (opens in new tab), International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 30, pp. 814-823, 2023.
- Zhao, X., Stadnick, N.A., Ceballos-Corro, E., Castro Jr, J., Mallard-Swanson, K., Palomares, K. J., Eikey, E., Schneider, M., Zheng, K., Mukamel, D. B., Schueller, S. M., Sorkin, D. H., “Facilitators of and Barriers to Integrating Digital Mental Health into County Mental Health Services: Qualitative Interview Analyses” (opens in new tab), JMIR Formative Research, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. E45718, 2023.
- Morrison, E. H., Sorkin, D., Mosqueda, L., Ayutyanont, “Validity and Reliability of the Scale to Report Emotional Stress Signs - Multiple Sclerosis (STRESS-MS) in Assessing Abuse and Neglect” (opens in new tab), International Journal of MS Care, vol. 24, pp. 18-24, 2022.
- Borghouts, J., Eikey, E. V., De Leon, C., Schueller, S. M., Schneider, S., Stadnick, N. A., Zheng, Z., Wilson, L., Caro, D., Mukamel, D. B., Sorkin, D. H., “Understanding the Role of Support in Digital Mental Health Programs With Older Adults: Users' Perspective and Mixed Methods Study” (opens in new tab), JMIR Formative Research, vol. 6, no. 12, pp. e43192, 2022.
- Janio, E.A., Sorkin, D. H., “Food insecurity and healthcare access, utilization, and quality among middle and later life adults in California” (opens in new tab), Journal of Aging and Health, vol. 33, no. 3-4, pp. 171-186, 2021.
- Borghouts, J., Eikey, E., Mark, G., De Leon, C., Schueller, S.M., Schneider, M., Stadnick, N., Zheng, K., Mukamel, D., Sorkin D.H., “Barriers to and Facilitators of User Engagement With Digital Mental Health Interventions: Systematic Review” (opens in new tab), Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. e24387, 2021.
Most Cited Publications
- Ngo-Metzger., Q, Sorkin, D. H., Phillips, R. S., Greenfield, S., Massagli, M.P., Clarridge, B., Kaplan, S. H., “Providing high-quality care for limited English proficient patients: The importance of language concordance and interpreter use” (opens in new tab), Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol. 22, pp. 324-330, 2007.
- Newsom, J. T., Rook, K. S., Nishishiba, M., Sorkin, D. H., Manhan, T.L., “Understanding the relative importance of positive and negative social exchanges: Examining specific domains and appraisals” (opens in new tab), Journals of Gerontology Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, vol. 60B, pp. P304-P312, 2005.
- Sorkin, D. H., Rook, K. S., Lu, J. L., “Loneliness, lack of emotional support, and lack of companionship as risk factors for having a diagnosed heart condition in an elderly sample” (opens in new tab), Annals of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 24, pp. 290-298, 2002.
- August, K. J., Sorkin, D. H., “Marital status and gender differences in managing a chronic illness: The function of health-related social control” (opens in new tab), Social Science and Medicine, vol. 71, no. 10, pp. 1831-1838, 2010.
- August, K. J., Sorkin, D. H., “Racial/ethnic disparities in the exercise and dietary behaviors of middle-aged and older adults” (opens in new tab), Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 245-250, 2010.
- Sorkin, D. H., Ngo-Metzger, Q., De Alba, I., “Racial/ethnic discrimination in healthcare: Impact on quality of care” (opens in new tab), Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 390-396, 2010.
- Sorkin, D. H., Nguyen, H., Ngo-Metzger Q, “Assessing the mental health needs and barriers to care among a diverse sample of Asian American older adults” (opens in new tab), Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 595-602, 2011.
- Sorkin, D. H., Mavandadi, S., Rook, K., Biegler, K.A., Dow, E., Ngo-Metzger, Q., “Dyadic collaboration in shared health behavior change: The effects of a randomized trial to test a lifestyle intervention for high-risk Latinas” (opens in new tab), Health Psychology, vol. 33, no. 6, pp. 566-75, 2014.
- Ngo-Metzger, Q., Sorkin, D. H., Billimek, B., Greenfield, S., Kaplan, S. H., “The effects of financial pressures on glucose control among racial/ethnically diverse patients with diabetes” (opens in new tab), Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 432-437, 2012.
- Sorkin, D. H., Rook, K. S., “Dealing with negative social exchanges in later life: coping responses, goals, and effectiveness” (opens in new tab), Psychology and Aging, vol. 21, no. 4, pp. 715-725, 2006.
Contact Information
Email: dsorkin@uci.edu
Phone: (949) 824-9336
Address: 111 Theory (Suite 100), Irvine, CA 92697-1835
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Last updated on 10/28/2026.