Nima Shahidinia

Photo of Nima Shahidinia
Assistant Policy Researcher; Ph.D. Candidate, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Santa Monica Office

Education

M.P.P., American University; B.S. in political science, economics, Santa Clara University

Overview

Nima Shahidinia is an assistant policy researcher at RAND and a doctoral candidate at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. His research interests include substance use treatment and drug policy trends.

Prior to joining Pardee RAND, Shahidinia was an alcohol and drug research analyst at the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Authority Directors in Washington, D.C. In that role, he explored the "harm reduction" side of U.S. drug policy, working with state opioid treatment authorities across the United States, as well as with senior staff in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Division of Pharmacologic Therapies. 

He has an M.P.P. from American University and a B.S. in political science and economics from Santa Clara University.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Kebhaj, S., Shahidinia, N., Testa, A., & Williams, J., "Collateral damage & the war on drugs: Estimating the effect of zero tolerance policies on drug arrest rates, 1975–2002," The Public Purpose, (11), 2013

Honors & Awards

  • Pi Alpha Alpha, American University
  • Pi Sigma Alpha, Santa Clara University
  • Cum Laude, Santa Clara University

Publications