Biosketch
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
A. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
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2000 - B.S., PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE
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2002 - M.A., COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
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2005 - PH.D., COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY, THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
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INTERNSHIP, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL: MCLEAN HOSPITAL
B. POSITIONS
University of Houston
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2021-Present: Associate Vice President for Research Administration
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2021-Present: Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Chair
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2018-Present: Professor; Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences (PHLS)​
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2016-Present: Director; HEALTH Research Institute
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2016-Present: Associate Dean for Research; College of Education
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2014-2016: Department Chair; Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences (PHLS)
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2012-Present: Associate Professor; Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences (PHLS)
University of Georgia
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2010-2012: Associate Professor; Counseling & Human Development Services (CHDS)
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2008-2010: Assistant Professor; Counseling & Human Development Services (CHDS)
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale​
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2005-2008: Assistant Professor; Department of Psychology
C. SELECTED GRANT FUNDING
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Taking Texas Tobacco: Dissemination to and Implementation within Agencies Serving Texans Experiencing Homelessness (PP210026). Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Co-Investigator. 2021 – 2023. Awarded: $299,978. (PI: Lorraine Reitzel)
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Taking Texas Tobacco Free among Substance Users within Community-based Healthcare Settings in Rural and Medically Underserved Areas Across Texas (PP210003). Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Co-Investigator. 2021 – 2024. Awarded: $1,998,573. (PI: Lorraine Reitzel)
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Investigating SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Hesitancy in Houston. Notice of Special Interest. HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention (U54MD015946). NIH: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, U54, Bethesda, MD. Principal Investigator. 2021 – 2023. Awarded: $711,773.
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Helping Everyone Achieve a LifeTime of Health Future Addiction Scientist Training (HEALTH FAST) Program (R25DA054015). NIH: National Institute of Drug Abuse, R25, Bethesda, MD. Multiple Principal Investigator. 2021 – 2026. Awarded $1,011,631. (MPI: Ezemenari Obasi and Lorraine Reitzel)
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HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention (U54MD015946). NIH: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, U54, Bethesda, MD. Principal Investigator. 2020 – 2025. Awarded: $11,848,265.
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Taking Texas Tobacco Free through a Sustainable Education/Training Program Designed for Personnel Addressing Tobacco Control in Behavioral Health Settings (PP200051). Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas. Co-Investigator. 2020-2022. Awarded: $299,953. (PI: Lorraine Reitzel)
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Cortisol Synchrony in Adolescents and Their Parents (1R03HD098379). NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, R03, Bethesda, MD. Co-Investigator. 2019 – 2021. Awarded: $157,521. (PI: Daphne Hernandez)​
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Taking Texas Tobacco Free: Increasing tobacco cessation in substance use treatment centers via an evidence-based, comprehensive tobacco-free workplace program (PP170070). Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas. Co-Investigator. 2017-2020. Awarded: $1,348,851. (PI: Lorraine Reitzel)
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Project Pride: Intervention to reduce HIV risk in young sexual minority men (R21DA041250). NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse, R21, Bethesda, MD. Co-Investigator. 2017 – 2019. Awarded: $418,877. (PI: Nathan Smith)
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A community collaborative for preventing and treating obesity in underserved communities in Houston (1667). United Health Foundation, Washington, DC. Multiple Principal Investigator. 2016 – 2019. Awarded: $2,000,000.
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Supporting early career and minority drug abuse research at the APA convention (R13DA038955). NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse, R13. Bethesda, MD. Principal Investigator. 2016 – 2019. Awarded: $75,000.
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Vulnerability to drug use and HIV: Advancing prevention for rural African Americans (P30DA027827). NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse, P30. Bethesda, MD. Co-Investigator (Subcontract PI). 2014 – 2019. Total Cost: $4,644,929. (Co-Investigator and PI on qualifying R01; PI: Gene Brody).
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Stress and drug use vulnerability in the African American Community (R01DA034739). NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse, R01. Bethesda, MD. Principal Investigator. 2013 – 2017. Awarded: $2,525,288.
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Transdisciplinary center focused on rural African American families (P30DA027827). NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse, P30. Bethesda, MD. Co-Investigator. 2009 – 2014. Awarded: $4,408,638.
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​Stress and drug use vulnerability in rural African Americans (R03DA027481). NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse, R03. Bethesda, MD. Principal Investigator. 2009 – 2012. Awarded: $471,683.
D. SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
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Ramclam, A. N., Taing, M., Kyburz, B., Williams, T., Casey, K., Correa-Fernández, V., Obasi, E. M., Leal, I. M., Chen, T. A., O’Connor, D. P., & Reitzel, L. R. (in press). An Epidemic and a Pandemic Collide: Assessing the Feasibility of Tobacco Treatment Among Vulnerable Groups at COVID-19 Protective Lodging. Families, Systems, & Health.
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Le, K., Chen, T. A., Martinez Leal, I., Correa-Fernandez, V., Obasi, E. M., Kyburz, B., Williams, T., Casey, K., Brown, H. A., O’Connor, D. P., & Reitzel, L. R. (in press). Organizational-level moderators impacting tobacco-related knowledge change after tobacco education training in substance use treatment centers. International Journal of Environmental and Public Health.
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Heredia, N.I., Nguyen, N., Martinez, B., Obasi, E. M., & McNeill, L. H. (accepted). The positive association between physical activity and alcohol use in African American adults. Preventive Medicine Reports.
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Nitturi, V., Chen, T-A., Zvolensky, M. J., McNeill, L. H., Obasi, E. M., & Reitzel, L. R. (accepted). Anxiety Sensitivity and Fast-Food Ordering Habits Among Black Adults. Health Behavior Research.
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*Cavanagh, L., & Obasi, E. M. (in press). Chronic stress, autonomic dysregulation and prospective drug use among African American. Cultural Diversity Ethnic Minority Psychology.
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*Cavanagh, L., & Obasi, E. M. (in press). The Moderating Role of Coping Style on Chronic Stress Exposure and Cardiovascular Reactivity Among African American Emerging Adults. Prevention Science.
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Martinez Leal, I.; Taing, M.; Correa-Fernández, V.; Obasi, E. M.; Kyburz, B.; Le, K.; Koshy, L.; Chen, T. A.; Williams, T.; Casey, K.; et al. (2021). Addressing Smoking Cessation among Women in Substance Use Treatment: A Qualitative Approach to Guiding Tailored Interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18, 5764.
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Chen, T.A., Smith, N. G., Regan, S. D., Obasi, E. M., Anderson, K.F., & Reitzel, L.R. (2021). Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) with saliva collection among sexual minority adults: A feasibility study. PLoS ONE, 16(5): e0250333.
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Le, K., Correa-Fernández, V., Martinez Leal, I., Kyburz, B., Chen, T-A, Barrientos, D., Saenz, E., Williams, T., O’Connor, D. P., Obasi, E. M., Casey, K., Reitzel, L. R. (2020). Tobacco-free Workplace Program at a Substance Use Treatment Center. American Journal of Health Behavior, 44(5), 652-665.
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Murillo, R., Reesor-Oyer, L. M., Hernandez, D. C., Liu, Y., & Obasi, E. M. (2020). Neighborhood Walkability and Overweight/Obese Weight Status Among Latino Adults. American Journal of Health Promotion, 34(6), 599-607.
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Odoh, C., Businelle, M. S., Chen, T. A., Kendzor, D. E., Obasi, E. M., & Reitzel, L. R. (2020). Association of fear and mistrust with stress among sheltered homeless adults and the moderating effects of race and sex. Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, 7(3), 458-467.
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Obasi, E. M., Chen, T. A., *Cavanagh, L., *Smith, B. K., *Wilborn, K. A., McNeill, L. H., & Reitzel, L. R. (2020). Depression, perceived social control, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in African-American adults. Health Psychology, 39(2), 107.
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Reitzel, L. R., Chinamuthevi, S., Daundasekara, S. S., Hernandez, D. C., Chen, T. A., Harkara, Y., Obasi, E. M., Kendzor, D. E., & Businelle, M. S. (2020). Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3631.
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Taing, M., Kyburz, B., Martinez Leal, I., Le, K., Chen, T-A., Correa-Fernandez, V., Williams, T., O'Connor, D. P., Obasi, E.M., Casey, K., Koshy, L., Reitzel, L. R. (2020). Clinician Training in the Adaptation of a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Workplace Program in Agencies Serving the Homeless and Vulnerably Housed. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 6154.
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Gough, M. E., Graviss, E. A., Chen, T. A., Obasi, E. M., & May, E. E. (2019). Compounding effect of vitamin D3 diet, supplementation, and alcohol exposure on macrophage response to mycobacterium infection. Tuberculosis, 116, S42-S58.
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Murillo, R., Reesor, L. M., Hernandez, D. C., & Obasi, E. M. (2019). Neighborhood walkability and aerobic physical activity among Latinos. American journal of health behavior, 43(4), 802-811.
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Neisler, J., Shree, S., Reitzel, L. R., Chen, T. A., Kendzor, D. E., Obasi, E. M., ... & Businelle, M. S. (2019). Characterizing Alcohol Use Behaviors among Homeless Men and Women. American journal of health behavior, 43(1), 37-49.
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*Brooks, J. J., & Obasi, E. M. (2018). Alcohol use in context. A psychosocial investigation of drinking behaviors in a diverse community sample in the United States. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 16(5), 1174-1188.
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Mountcastle, H. D., Park, S. H., Al-Ajlouni, Y. A., Goedel, W. C., Cook, S., Lupien, S., Obasi, E. M., ... & Duncan, D. T. (2018). Stress levels are associated with poor sleep health among sexual minority men in Paris, France. Sleep health, 4(5), 436-441.
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Obasi, E. M., Shirtcliff, E., *Cavanagh, L., *Ratliff, K. L., *Pittman, D. M., & *Brooks, J. J. (2017). Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Reactivity to Acute Stress: An Investigation into the Roles of Perceived Stress and Family Resources. Prevention Science, 18(8), 923-931.
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Obasi, E. M., Tackett, J. L., Shirtcliff, E. A., & *Cavanagh, L. (2017). The effects of alcohol and cigarette consumption on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in rural African Americans. Journal of Black Psychology, 43(6), 588-607.
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*Pittman, D. M., *Brooks, J. J., Kaur, P., & Obasi, E. M. (2017). The cost of minority stress: Risky drinking behavior and coping motivated alcohol use in Black college students. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 14, 1-22.
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*Pittman, D. M., Kim, S. C., Hunter, C. D., Obasi, E. M. (2017). The Role of Minority Stress in Second-Generation Black Emerging Adults’ High-Risk Drinking Behaviors. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 23(3), 445-455.
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Reitzel, L. R., Childress, S. D., Obasi, E. M., Garey, L., Vidrine, D. J., McNeill, L. H., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2017). Interactive effects of anxiety sensitivity and subjective social status on psychological symptomatology in Black adults. Behavioral Medicine, 43(4), 268-276.
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Reitzel, L. R., Smith, N. G., Obasi, E. M., Forney, M., & Leventhal, A. M. (2017). Perceived distress tolerance accounts for the covariance between discrimination experiences and anxiety symptoms among sexual minority adults. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 48, 22-27.
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Shirtcliff, E. A., Skinner, M. L., Obasi, E. M., & Haggerty, K. P. (2017). Positive parenting predicts calibration of cortisol functioning six years later in young adults. Developmental Science, 20(6), e12461.
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Smith, N. G., Winderman, K., King, B., Obasi, E. M., & Reitzel, L. R. (2017). The association of lesbian, gay, and bisexual identity facets with smoking dependence motives. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 20(3), 388-392.
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Obasi, E. M., *Brooks, J. J., & *Cavanagh, L. (2016). The relationship between psychological distress, negative cognitions, and expectancies on problem drinking: Exploring a growing problem among university students. Behavior Modification, 40(1-2), 51-69.
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Obasi, E. M., *Cavanagh, L., *Pittman, D. M., & *Brooks, J. J. (2016). Effects of evaluative context in implicit cognitions associated with alcohol and violent behaviors. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 3, 48-55.
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Reitzel, L. R., Okamoto, H., Hernandez, D. C., Regan, S. D., McNeill, L. H., & Obasi, E. M. (2016). The built food environment and dietary intake among African-American adults. American Journal of Health Behavior, 40, 3-11.
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*Cavanagh, L., & Obasi, E. M. (2015). The moderating role of implicit alcohol-related cognitions in hazardous alcohol use. Addiction Research & Theory, 23(5), 380-390.
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El-Behadli, A. F., Sharp, C., Hughes, S. O., Obasi, E. M., & Nicklas, T. A. (2015). Maternal depression, stress and feeding styles: Towards a framework for theory and research in child obesity. British Journal of Nutrition, 113, S55-S51.
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Obasi, E. M., Shirtcliff, E. A., Brody, G. H., MacKillop, J., *Pittman, D., *Cavanagh, L., & Philibert, R. A. (2015). The relationship between alcohol consumption, perceived stress, and CRHR1 genotype on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rural African Americans. Frontiers in Psychology, 6:832.
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Brody, G. H., MacKillop, J., Miller, G., Chen, E., Obasi, E. M., & Beach, S. R. H. (2014). Catecholamine levels and delayed discounting forecasting drug use among African American youth. Addiction, 109(7), 1112-1118.​
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Brody, G. H., Beach, S. R. H., Chen, Y. F., Obasi, E. M., Philibert, R. A., Kogan, S. M., Simons, R. L. (2011). Perceived discrimination, serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region status, and the development of conduct problems. Development and Psychopathology, 23(2), 617-627.
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MacKillop, J., Obasi, E. M., Amlung, M., McGeary, J., & Knopik, V. (2010). The role of genetics in nicotine dependence: Mapping the pathways from genome to syndrome. Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 4(6), 446-453.
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Obasi, E. M., & Leong, F. T. L. (2010). Construction and validation of the Measurement of Acculturation Strategies for People of African Descent (MASPAD). Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16(4), 526-539.
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Walker, R. L., Alabi, D., Roberts, J., & Obasi, E. M. (2010). Ethnic group differences in reasons for living and the moderating role of cultural worldview. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16(3), 372-378.
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Obasi, E. M., Flores L. Y., & James-Myers, L. (2009). Construction and initial validation of the Worldview Analysis Scale. Journal of Black Studies, 39(6), 937-961.
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Obasi, E. M., & Leong, F. T. L. (2009). Psychological distress, acculturation, and mental health seeking attitudes among people of African descent in the United States: A preliminary investigation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(2), 227-238.
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Walker, R. L., Wingate, L., Obasi, E. M., & Joiner, T. E. (2008). An empirical investigation of acculturative stress and ethnic identity as moderators for depression and suicidal ideation in college students. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(1), 75-82.