Research

Research faculty at Center for Tobacco Treatment Research & Training has been conducting tobacco related research for over 35 years.  Our mission is to conduct cutting-edge research to build knowledge, inform treatment models and policies to reduce tobacco use.  The research we conduct within our Center spans in a wide range of key areas in the tobacco treatment field.  One important area is conducting randomized controlled trials to test novel behavioral treatments for tobacco cessation. These include evaluating the use of mindfulness training to tackle the theoretical underpinnings of addiction.  It also includes the application of technology/computer-enabled interventions to support cessation.  Our randomized controlled trials have involved both high risk adult populations as well as in youth.

Another key area of our research is the development and evaluation of brief interventions for health care providers.  Related to this is the training of medical students, residents, and other trainees in tobacco treatment. Another area is understanding how medical illnesses and healthcare encounters can be used to trigger short- and long-term tobacco cessation.  This includes developing and testing cognitive and affective theoretical mechanisms of action.  Our faculty also explores the use of social networks and ecological momentary assessment for tobacco cessation research. And lastly, our faculty are involved in evaluating and informing tobacco control policies. This includes conducting surveillance of tobacco products to inform policy, as well as contributing to tobacco free housing policy.  Our faculty and their tobacco-related research interests are noted below.  Click on each faculty member’s Academic Profile link to learn more about their work

Faculty and their Tobacco Related Research

Lori Pbert, PhD  Professor  Director, Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training  Department of Quantitative Health Sciences  Academic Profile Research Interests: Treatment of adolescent tobacco use in pediatric practice. School nurse-delivered interventions. Understanding the development of nicotine dependence. Application of mindfulness training in teen tobacco treatment.

Judith Ockene, PhD, MEd, MA  Professor,  Department of Quantitative Health Sciences  Academic Profile Research Interests: Medical student and resident  training in tobacco treatment. Brief physician intervention for tobacco treatment and dependence. Factors affecting nicotine use status.

Wenjun Li, PhD  Associate Professor  Department of Medicine  Academic Profile Research Interests: Tobacco control policies. Local public health laws. Surveillance of  tobacco products including e-cigarettes. Smoke and tobacco free housing policy. Small area estimation.

Thomas Houston, MD, PhD  Professor  Department of Quantitative Health Sciences  Academic Profile   Research Interests: Health informatics. Computer tailoring. Motivation phase smokers. Social networks.

Rajani Sadasivam, PhD  Associate Professor  Department of Quantitative Health Sciences  Academic Profile Research Interests: Technology assisted tobacco treatment interventions. Computer tailoring of motivational messages. Social networking. Adaptive recruitment.

Edwin Boudreaux, PhD  Professor  Department of Emergency Medicine  Academic Profile Research interests: Brief interventions for tobacco treatment and dependence.  Understanding how medical illnesses and healthcare encounters can be used to trigger short- and long-term tobacco cessation. Developing and testing cognitive and affective theoretical mechanisms of action. Technology enabled tobacco interventions. Ecological momentary assessment. ehealth. mhealth. Sentinel events method.