Research
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS
African Americans endure a disproportionate burden of injury, disability, disease and death with regard to substance use. We are currently investigating novel mechanisms that can be leveraged to inform prevention and treatment efforts.
HEALTH DISPARITIES
SUBSTANCE USE
& ABUSE
Substance use is associated with negative behavioral outcomes (e.g., assault, injury, sexual violence, suicide), disease, and death. We are committed to finding real-world solutions to this preventable public health problem.
STRESS NEUROBIOLOGY
We are currently studying the cross-talk between cultural phenomena, chronic exposure to environmental stressors, and stress-related biomarkers to better understand psychological and behavioral outcomes in at-risk populations.
FEATURED RESEARCH PAPERS
OBASI & Colleagues (2020)
Depression, Perceived Social Control, and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Function in African-American Adults. Health Psychology, 39(2), 107-115.
The Effects of Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in Rural African Americans. Journal of Black Psychology, 43(6), 588-607.
OBASI & Colleagues (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.
OBASI &
Colleagues (2017)
Effects of evaluative context in implicit cognitions associated with alcohol and violent behaviors. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 3, 48-55.
OBASI & Colleagues (2016)
OBASI & Colleagues (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.
The moderating role of implicit alcohol-related cognitions in hazardous alcohol use. Addict Res Theory, 23(5), 380-390.
CAVANAGH & OBASI (2015)
DR. OBASI'S HWEMUDUA ADDICTIONS & HEALTH DISPARITIES LABORATORY (HAHDL)
HAHDL
This laboratory consists of approximately 1,737 square feet of contiguous space that is divided into eleven complexes:
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simulated bar lounge experimental room,
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experimental computer laboratory,
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stress reception and preparation room,
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acute stress experimental facility,
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biosafety level-2 wet lab facility,
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biomarker storage room,
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experimental control room,
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data processing, analysis, and training facility,
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bar supply room,
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project coordinator office, and
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laboratory restroom.
The HAHDL is a sound-attenuated and temperature controlled experimental complex designed to leverage cutting-edge technology to discover new ways we can improve the quality and length of life for our local communities and beyond.
From left to right: Sarah Childress (Research Scientist), Christine Smith (Undergraduate RA), Sandra Yan (Doctoral RA), Krystal Christopher (Doctoral RA), Dr. Ezemenari M. Obasi, Chaniqua Mazyck (Doctoral RA)