Research Areas
- Psychopathology
- Addiction
- Smoking Cessation Treatment
- Vulnerable Populations
Scientific Achievements
- Leads a $4.7M NIH-funded randomized trial testing a culturally tailored mobile health app to support smoking cessation and stress management for Black adults living with HIV
- Developed digital, low-burden interventions integrating mental health support with chronic disease care
- Expanded access to evidence-based behavioral interventions for underserved communities through collaborations with national research teams
Funding
RCMI Funding:
- NIH/NIMHD U24MD015970
- U54MD015946 (IGNITE, Dissemination & Implementation, NOSI, & Pilot Grant)
Other funding obtained with RCMI support:
- NIH/NIMHD R01MD019957 – Smoking cessation and mental health trial for Black adults with HIV
- CPRIT – Smoking cessation interventions
- NIH/NCI R21CA263765 – Digitally delivered interventions
Scientific Advance
Anxiety Sensitivity and Reasons for Smoking among Black Smokers
Published in Addictive Behaviors, Volume 139, 2022, PMCID: PMC9897199.
Published in Addictive Behaviors, Volume 139, 2022, PMCID: PMC9897199.
This study examined why Black adults who smoke often continue despite health risks, linking stress-related body sensations (like racing heart, shortness of breath, or anxiety) to common reasons for smoking. Findings showed that these internal stress signals contribute to smoking as a coping mechanism. Understanding these patterns informs the design of culturally tailored interventions to help participants manage stress, reduce smoking, and improve overall health outcomes.
NIH/NIMHD #U54MD015946, NIH/NIMHD #R01MD019957, NIH/NCI #R21CA263765
