Paul M. Cinciripini, Ph.D.
Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Cinciripini
Dr. Cinciripini is currently a tenured Professor and Margaret & Ben Love Chair in Clinical Cancer Care in honor of Dr. Charles A. LeMaistre, at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His academic training is in Clinical Psychology and psychophysiology.
Dr. Cinciripini serves as Chair of the Department of Behavioral Science, and he is the Director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program.
Dr. Cinciripini has over 35 years of experience conducting basic and clinical research in the area of smoking cessation and nicotine psychopharmacology. His major research interests include studies developing novel behavioral and pharmacological treatments for nicotine dependence, and those that study individual differences associated with treatment outcome. In particular, his work in this area has focused on psychological (negative affect, coping self-efficacy), psychophysiological (emotional reactivity), neural (EEG/fMRI), and genetic predictors of treatment outcome (pharmacogenetics).
In addition to community-based samples, Dr. Cinciripini’s work has also involved populations with psychiatric and medical co-morbidities including depression, pregnancy, and cancer.
Dr. Cinciripini has authored over 280 articles and book chapters, conducted over 21 NIH- and other-sponsored randomized clinical trials examining behavioral and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation, served as a senior co-investigator on over 23 NIH-sponsored trials, and mentored 20 junior scientists. He is presently the PI or site PI on 3 active, NIH-funded- and 1 active/1 recently completed CPRIT-funded (Cancer Prevention Institute of Texas) trials.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Department Chair, Department of Behavioral Science, UT MDACC, Houston, TX
Prof. w/Tenure, Department of Behavioral Science, UT MDACC, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adj. Prof, Department of Dept of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
Adj. Prof, Department of Behavioral Science, UT School of Public Health, Houston, TX
Adj. Prof, Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Smoking Cessation
Nicotine Psychopharmacology
Pharmacotherapy for Smoking Cessation
Lung Cancer Screening
Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping
Genetics of Nicotine Dependence and Treatment
Smoking Cessation and Psychiatric Comorbidities
Cancer Treatment and Smoking Cessation
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1978 | Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA, PHD, Clinical Psychology |
| 1976 | Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA, MS, Clinical Psychology |
| 1974 | Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, USA, BS, Psychology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1977-1978 | Clinical Residency, Clinical Psychology, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA |
Board Certifications
| 1996 | American Psychological Association Division 38 |
| 1993 | American Board of Professional Psychology |
| 1989 | American Board of Behavioral Psychology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assoc. Prof. w/Tenure, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, UT MDACC, Houston, TX, 1994 - 2001
Assoc. Prof. w/Tenure, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1988 - 1994
Asst. Prof, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1983 - 1988
Asst. Prof, Department of Physiology & Behavioral Science, Minnesota School of Medicine, Duluth, MN, 1978 - 1983
Endowed Positions
Margaret & Ben Love Chair in Clinical Cancer Care in honor of Dr. Charles A. LeMaistre, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, UT MDACC, Houston, TX, 2016 - Present
Annie Laurie Howard Research Distinguished Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, UT MDACC, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2016
Honors & Awards
| 2020 | Joseph W. Cullen Memorial Award, American Society of Preventive Oncology |
| 2019 | Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease Award, Ochsner Health System |
| 2016 | Margaret & Ben Love Chair in Clinical Cancer Care in honor of Dr. Charles A. LeMaistre |
| 2012 | Annie Laurie Howard Research Distinguished Professor, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 2009 | The Margaret and James A. Elkins, Jr. Faculty Achievement Award in Cancer Prevention, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1996 | Fellow, American Psychological Association, Division 38, Health Psychology |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Robinson JD, Kypriotakis G, Al'absi M, Denlinger-Apte RL, Drobes DJ, Leischow SJ, McClernon FJ, Pacek LR, Severson HH, Smith TT, Donny EC, Luo X, Jensen JA, Strayer LG, Cinciripini PM, Hatsukami DK. Very low nicotine content cigarettes disrupt the feedback loop of affective states and smoking behavior. Nicotine Tob Res 22(8):1294-1300, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31701153.
- Frank DW, Cinciripini PM, Deweese MM, Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Lerman C, Robinson JD, Tyndale RF, Vidrine DJ, Versace F. Toward Precision Medicine for Smoking Cessation: Developing a Neuroimaging-Based Classification Algorithm to Identify Smokers at Higher Risk for Relapse. Nicotine Tob Res 22(8):1277-1284, 2020. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31724052.
- Cinciripini PM, Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Robinson JD, Rabius V, Beneventi D, Minnix JA, Blalock JA. Association of a Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Program With Smoking Abstinence Among Patients With Cancer. JAMA Netw Open 2(9):e1912251, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31560387.
- Robinson JD, Li L, Chen M, Lerman C, Tyndale RF, Schnoll RA, Hawk LW, George TP, Benowitz NL, Cinciripini PM. Evaluating the temporal relationships between withdrawal symptoms and smoking relapse. Psychol Addict Behav 33(2):105-116, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30614717.
- Cinciripini PM, Minnix JA, Green CE, Robinson JD, Engelmann JM, Versace F, Wetter DW, Shete S, Karam-Hage M. An RCT with the Combination of Varenicline and Bupropion for Smoking Cessation: Clinical Implications for Front Line Use. Addiction 113(9):1673-1682. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29679432.
- Karam-Hage M, Kypriotakis G, Robinson JD, Green CE, Mann G, Rabius V, Wippold R, Blalock JA, Mouhayar E, Tayar J, Chaftari P, Cinciripini PM. Improvement of smoking abstinence rates with increased Varenicline dosage: A propensity score - matched analysis. J Clin Psychopharmacol 38(1):34-41, 2018. PMID: 29232312.
- Cinciripini PM, Green CE, Robinson JD, Karam-Hage M, Engelmann JM, Minnix JA, Wetter DW, Versace F. Benefits of varenicline vs. bupropion for smoking cessation: A Bayesian Analysis of the interaction of reward sensitivity and treatment. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 234(11):1769-1779, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28275830.
- Robinson JD, Versace F, Engelmann JM, Cui Y, Gilbert DG, Waters AJ, Gritz ER, Cinciripini PM. Attentional bias to smoking and other motivationally relevant cues is affected by nicotine exposure and dose expectancy. J Psychopharmacol 30(7):627-40, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27097731.
- Engelmann JM, Versace F, Gewirtz JC, Cinciripini PM. Individual differences in brain responses to cigarette-related cues and pleasant stimuli in young smokers. Drug Alcohol Depend 163:229-35, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27141838.
- Robinson JD, Drobes DJ, Brandon TH, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Evaluating point of sale tobacco marketing using behavioral laboratory methods. Tobacco Regulatory Science 2:414-425, 2016. PMID: 29955620.
- Wippold R, Karam-Hage M, Blalock J, Cinciripini PM. Selection of optimal tobacco cessation medication treatment in cancer patients. Clin J Oncol Nurs 19(2):170-5, 2015. PMID: 25840382.
- Robinson JD, Versace F, Engelmann JM, Cui Y, Slapin A, Oum R, Cinciripini PM. The motivational salience of cigarette-related stimuli among former, never, and current smokers. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 23(1):37-48, 2015. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25436840.
- Robinson JD, Engelmann JM, Cui Y, Versace F, Waters AJ, Gilbert DG, Gritz ER, Cinciripini PM. The effects of nicotine dose expectancy and motivationally relevant distracters on vigilance. Psychol Addict Behav 28(3):752-760, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24841184.
- Ostroff JS, Burkhalter JE, Cinciripini PM, Li Y, Shiyko MP, Lam CY, Hay JL, Dhingra LK, Lord-Bessen J, Holland SM, Manna R. Randomized trial of a pre-surgical scheduled reduced smoking intervention for patients newly diagnosed with cancer. Health Psychol 33(7):737-747, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23895203.
- Versace F, Engelmann JM, Robinson JD, Jackson EF, Green CE, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage MA, Brown VL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Prequit fMRI Responses to Pleasant and Cigarette Cues Predict Smoking Cessation Outcome. Nicotine Tob Res 16(6):697-708, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24376278.
- Rabius V, Karam-Hage M, Blalock JA, Cinciripini PM. "Meaningful use" provides a meaningful opportunity. Cancer 120(4):464-468, 2014. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24496865.
- Blalock JA, Minnix JA, Mathew AR, Wetter DW, McCullough JP, Cinciripini PM. Relationship of childhood trauma to depression and smoking outcomes in pregnant smokers. J Consult Clin Psychol 81(5):821-830, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23750463.
- Minnix JA, Versace F, Robinson JD, Lam CY, Engelmann JM, Cui Y, Brown VL, Cinciripini PM. The late positive potential (LPP) in response to varying types of emotional and cigarette stimuli in smokers: a content comparison. Int J Psychophysiol 89(1):18-25, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23643564.
- Cui Y, Versace F, Engelmann JM, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Lam CY, Karam-Hage M, Brown VL, Wetter DW, Dani JA, Kosten TR, Cinciripini PM. Alpha oscillations in response to affective and cigarette-related stimuli in smokers. Nicotine Tob Res 15(5):917-924, 2013. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23060019.
- Cinciripini PM, Robinson JD, Karam-Hage M, Minnix JA, Lam C, Versace F, Brown VL, Engelmann JM, Wetter DW. Effects of varenicline and bupropion sustained-release use plus intensive smoking cessation counseling on prolonged abstinence from smoking and on depression, negative affect, and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. JAMA Psychiatry 70(5):522-533, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23536105.
- Robinson JD, Versace F, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Engelmann JM, Cui Y, Karam-Hage M, Shete SS, Tomlinson GE, Chen TT, Wetter DW, Green CE, Cinciripini PM. The CHRNA3 rs578776 Variant is Associated with an Intrinsic Reward Sensitivity Deficit in Smokers. Front Psychiatry 4:114, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24065931.
- Versace F, Lam CY, Engelmann JM, Robinson JD, Minnix JA, Brown VL, Cinciripini PM. Beyond cue reactivity: blunted brain responses to pleasant stimuli predict long-term smoking abstinence. Addiction Biology 17(6):991-1000, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21967530.
- Cui Y, Robinson JD, Versace F, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Karam-Hage M, Dani JA, Kosten TR, Wetter DW, Brown VL, Cinciripini PM. Differential cigarette-related startle cue reactivity among light, moderate, and heavy smokers. Addictive Behaviors 37(8):885-889, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22571920.
- Engelmann JM, Versace F, Robinson JD, Minnix JA, Lam CY, Cui Y, Brown VL, Cinciripini PM. Neural substrates of smoking cue reactivity: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies. Neuroimage 60(1):252-262, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22206965.
- Robinson JD, Lam CY, Carter BL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Negative reinforcement smoking outcome expectancies are associated with affective response to acute nicotine administration and abstinence. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 120(1-3):196-201, 2012. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21868175.
- Blalock JA, Nayak N, Wetter DW, Schreindorfer L, Minnix JA, Canul J, Cinciripini PM. The relationship of childhood trauma to nicotine dependence in pregnant smokers. Psychol Addict Behav 25(4):652-663, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21928869.
- Versace F, Engelmann JM, Jackson EF, Costa VD, Robinson JD, Lam CY, Minnix JA, Brown VL, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Do brain responses to emotional images and cigarette cues differ? An fMRI study in smokers. European Journal of Neuroscience 34(12):2054-2063, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22097928.
- Minnix JA, Blalock JA, Marani S, Prokhorov AV, Cinciripini PM. Self-efficacy Mediates the Effect of Depression on Smoking Susceptibility in Adolescents. Nicotine Tob Res 13(8):699-705, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21482619.
- Cinciripini PM, Blalock JA, Minnix JA, Robinson JD, Brown VL, Lam C, Wetter DW, Schreindorfer L, McCullough JP, Dolan-Mullen P, Stotts AL, Karam-Hage M. Effects of an intensive depression-focused intervention for smoking cessation in pregnancy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 78(1):44-54, 2010. PMID: 20099949.
- Blalock JA, Robinson JD, Wetter DW, Schreindorfer LS, Cinciripini PM. Nicotine withdrawal in smokers with current depressive disorders undergoing intensive smoking cessation treatment. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 22(1):122-128, 2008. PMID: 18298238.
- Blalock JA, Robinson JD, Wetter DW, Cinciripini PM. Relationship of DSM-IV-based depressive disorders to smoking cessation and smoking reduction in pregnant smokers. Am J Addict 15(4):268-77, 2006. PMID: 16867921.
- Cinciripini PM, Tsoh JY, Wetter DW, Lam C, de Moor C, Cinciripini L, Baile W, Anderson C, Minna JD. Combined effects of venlafaxine, nicotine replacement & brief counseling on smoking cessation. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol 13(4):282-292, 2005. PMID: 16366758.
- Cinciripini PM, Wetter DW, McClure JB. Scheduled reduced smoking: effects on smoking abstinence and potential mechanisms of action. Addictive Behaviors 22(6):759-67, 1997. PMID: 9426793.
- Cinciripini PM, Lapitsky L, Seay S, Wallfisch A, Kitchens K, Van Vunakis H. The effects of smoking schedules on cessation outcome: can we improve on common methods of gradual and abrupt nicotine withdrawal?. J Consult Clin Psychol 63(3):388-99, 1995. PMID: 7608351.
- Cinciripini PM, Lapitsky LG, Wallfisch A, Mace R, Nezami E, Van Vunakis H. An evaluation of a multicomponent treatment program involving scheduled smoking and relapse prevention procedures: initial findings. Addict Behav 19(1):13-22, 1994. PMID: 8197889.
- Cinciripini PM, Kypriotakis G, Blalock JA, Karam-Hage M, Beneventi DM, Robinson JD, Minnix JA, Warren GW. Improved Survival Using Early Intervention with Smoking Cessation After a Cancer Diagnosis. JAMA Oncology.
Book Chapters
- Karam-Hage M, Minnix J, Cinciripini PM. Alcohol and smoking cessation for cancer survivors. In: UpToDate, 2020.
- Karam-Hage M, Cinciripini PM. Tobacco Cessation. In: Advances in Cancer Survivorship Management. First. Springer: New York, 257-274, 2015.
- Karam-Hage M, Minnix JA, Cinciripini PM. Alcohol and smoking cessation for cancer survivors. In: UpToDate, 2015.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Using Deep Sequencing Technology to Study Genes & Behavioral Phenotypes Related to Smoking Cessation, Negative affect & Nicotine Withdrawal |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Promoting Informed Decisions about Lung Cancer Screening |
| Funding Source: | Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Intrinsic Reward Sensitivity & Smoking Cessation with Varenicline or Patch NRT |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Neurobehavioral assessment of reward sensitivity in young smokers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Varenicline and Combined NRT for Initial Smoking Cessation and Rescue Treatment in Smokers: A Randomized Pilot Trial |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Optimizing Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Invention During LDCT screening for Lung Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluating Concomitant Use of Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes Among Daily and Non-Daily Smokers on Abuse Liability |
| Funding Source: | NIH/FDA |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Gender differences in Standard Research E-Cigarette (SREC) product use, acceptability, reinforcement, and nicotine dependence symptoms |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIDA |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Improving the Quality of Smoking Cessation and Shared Decision Making for Lung Cancer Screening: A Cluster Randomized Trial |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | MPI |
| Title: | Increasing Access to Smoking Cessation and Smoke Free Home Services for Low-Income Pregnant Women in Northeast Texas |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Implementing Patient Decision Support for Lung Cancer Screening through Tobacco Quitlines |
| Funding Source: | PCORI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Genetic substrates of a novel neural biomarker for smoking cessation |
| Funding Source: | American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) |
| Role: | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Socioeconomic Status, Stress, and Smoking Cessation |
| Funding Source: | University of Utah |
| Role: | MDACC Site PI |
| Title: | Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences (CTSA-Learning Healthcare) |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Administrative Supplement for P30 Cancer Center Support Grants to Advance Rural Cancer Control Research Capacity in Clinic Settings |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Implementation and Dissemination of an Evidence-Based Intervention to Increase Tobacco Treatment Capacity in Opioid Treatment Programs |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified November 15, 2024