Megan Britton, Ph.D.
Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
About Dr. Maggie Britton
Dr. Maggie Britton is an Assistant Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research interests center around reducing disparities in tobacco use and cessation among minoritized and marginalized groups. The goal of her research is to adapt, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions using implementation science frameworks to address and prevent disparities in tobacco-related cancers. Currently, she is focused on several projects, including the implementation of a multi-component tobacco-free workplace program across diverse community healthcare settings and the expansion of MD Anderson Quitline services to opioid treatment settings as well as supporting their capacity to offer tailored clinical care for select populations.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2021 | University of Houston, Houston, Texas, US, Social and Health Psychology, Minor: Quantitative Analysis, Ph.D |
| 2017 | University of Houston, Houston, Texas, US, Psychology, MA |
| 2014 | Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, US, Psychology, Minor: Spanish, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2021-2021 | Research Fellow, University of Houston, Houston, TX |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor (Courtesy Appointment), Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, 2022 - 2024
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2022 - 2024
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2021 - 2022
Honors & Awards
| 2021 | UH Cullen Graduate Student Success Fellowship |
| 2020 | APA Student Grant Competition Award |
| 2019 | TRSA John P. McGovern Fellowship Award |
| 2019 | GMap Region 3 Travel Award |
| 2019 | HDEART Consortium 3Minute Research Presentation |
| 2017 | RSA Graduate Student Travel Award |
| 2016 | SPSP Graduate Student Travel Award |
| 2015 - 2019 | University of Houston Conference Travel Funding |
| 2014 | University at Buffalo PGSA Travel Award |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Siddiqi AD, Carter BJ, Britton M, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Moosa AB, Williams T, Casey K, Sanchez H, Reitzel LR. Differences in Provider Beliefs and Delivery of the 5As for Cigarette and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use Between Two Types of Healthcare Centers Serving Rural and/or Medically Underserved Areas of Texas, US. Healthcare 13(3):338, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Siddiqi, AD, Carter, BJ, Britton, MK, Chen, TA, Martinez Leal, I, Moosa, AB, Williams, T, Casey, K, Sanchez, H, Reitzel, LR. Differences in Provider Beliefs and Delivery of the 5As for Cigarette and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use Between Two Types of Healthcare Centers Serving Rural and/or Medically Underserved Areas of Texas, US. Healthcare (Switzerland) 13(3), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39942527.
- Siddiqi AD, Carter BJ, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Britton M, Correa-Fernández V, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Reitzel LR. Initial leadership concerns and availability of tobacco cessation services moderate changes in employee-reported concerns about tobacco-free workplace policy implementation over time. Transl Behav Med 14(7):394-401, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38757794.
- Martinez Leal I, Siddiqi AD, Rogova A, Britton M, Chen TA, Williams T, Casey K, Sanchez H, Reitzel LR. Enablers and Inhibitors to Implementing Tobacco Cessation Interventions within Homeless-Serving Agencies: A Qualitative Analysis of Program Partners' Experiences. Cancers 16(11), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38893280.
- Ferriter KP, Parent MC, Britton M. Sexual Orientation Health Disparities in Chronic Respiratory Disorders. Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis 11(3):307-310, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38575376.
- Rogova A, Leal IM, Britton M, Chen TA, Lowenstein LM, Kyburz B, Casey K, Skeene K, Williams T, Reitzel LR. Implementing a tobacco-free workplace program at a substance use treatment center: a case study. BMC Health Serv Res 24(1):201, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38355470.
- Kakarla, SN, Shabaneh, N, Jafry, MZ, Britton, MK, Rogova, A, Carter, BJ, Chen, TA, Martinez Leal, I, Kyburz, B, Williams, T, Reitzel, LR. Total vs Partial Workplace Tobacco Use Bans in Texas Behavioral Health Centers. Health Behavior and Policy Review 11(1):1471-1482, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Ruiz, S, Abdur-Rashid, K, Mintz, RL, Britton, MK, Baumann, AA, Colditz, GA, Housten, AJ. Centering intersectional breast cancer screening experiences among black, Latina, and white women. Frontiers in Public Health 12, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39606084.
- Britton M, Rogova A, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, Reitzel LR. Texas Tobacco Quitline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices within Healthcare Agencies Serving Individuals with Behavioral Health Needs: A Multimethod Study. Prev Med Rep 35:102256, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37752980.
- Jafry MZ, Martinez J, Chen TA, Britton M, Martinez Leal I, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, Carter BJ, Reitzel LR. Behavioral health care provider's beliefs, confidence, and knowledge in treating cigarette smoking in relation to their use of the 5A's intervention. Addict Behav Rep 17:100493, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37347047.
- Britton M, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, El-Zein R, Bernicker EH, Lowenstein LM, Reitzel LR. Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility and Referral Practices in Texas Organizations Serving People with Substance Use Disorders. Cancers (Basel) 15(7), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37046736.
- Britton M, Martinez Leal I, Jafry MZ, Chen TA, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Reitzel LR. Influence of Provider and Leader Perspectives about Concurrent Tobacco-Use Care during Substance-Use Treatment on Their Tobacco Intervention Provision with Clients: A Mixed-Methods Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 20(7), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37047876.
- Carter BJ, Siddiqi AD, Chen TA, Britton M, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fernández V, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Reitzel LR. Educating Substance Use Treatment Center Providers on Tobacco Use Treatments Is Associated with Increased Provision of Counseling and Medication to Patients Who Use Tobacco. Int J Environ Res Public Health 20(5), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36901024.
- Siddiqi AD, Chen TA, Britton M, Martinez Leal I, Carter BJ, Correa-Fernández V, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Reitzel LR. Changes in Substance Use Treatment Providers' Delivery of the 5A's for Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use in the Context of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program Implementation. Int J Environ Res Public Health 20(3), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36768097.
- Wang C, Chen TA, Britton M, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, McNeill LH, Reitzel LR. The Indirect Effect of Smoking Level in the Association Between Urban Stress and Readiness to Quit Smoking among Adults Experiencing Homelessness. Health Behav Res 6(1), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36969829.
- Jafry MZ, Reuven SM, Britton M, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, Reitzel LR. Providers' Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use Intervention Practices in Relation to Beliefs about Patients, Prioritization of and Skills for Intervention, and Referral Knowledge in Texas Healthcare Centers Providing Care to Persons with Behavioral Health Needs. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(21), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36361149.
- Taing M, Le K, Britton M, Chen TA, Parent MC, Tamí-Maury I, Leal IM, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, Reitzel LR. Smoking Intervention Practices in Texas Healthcare Centers with Sexual and Gender Minority Patients. Health Behav Policy Rev 9(6):1074-1088, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36778530.
- LoParco CR, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Britton M, Carter BJ, Correa-Fernández V, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Rogova A, Lin HC, Reitzel LR. Organization-Level Factors Associated with Changes in the Delivery of the Five A's for Smoking Cessation following the Implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program within Substance Use Treatment Centers. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(19), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36231153.
- Siddiqi AD, Britton M, Chen TA, Carter BJ, Wang C, Martinez Leal I, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Patel M, Reitzel LR. Tobacco Screening Practices and Perceived Barriers to Offering Tobacco Cessation Services among Texas Health Care Centers Providing Behavioral Health Treatment. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(15), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35955001.
- Martinez Leal I, Martinez J, Britton M, Chen TA, Correa-Fernández V, Kyburz B, Nitturi V, Obasi EM, Drenner K, Williams T, Casey K, Carter BJ, Reitzel LR. Collaborative Learning: A Qualitative Study Exploring Factors Contributing to a Successful Tobacco Cessation Train-the-Trainer Program as a Community of Practice. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(13), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35805323.
- Rogova A, Martinez Leal I, Britton M, Chang S, Escoto KH, Solari Williams KD, Roberson C, McNeill LH, Reitzel LR. Promoting Cancer Health Equity: A Qualitative Study of Mentee and Mentor Perspectives of a Training Program for Underrepresented Scholars in Cancer Health Disparities. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(12):7512, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35742763.
- Martinez J, Jafry MZ, Chen TA, Businelle MS, Kendzor DE, Britton M, Vijayaraghavan M, Reitzel LR. Guest Support for Outdoor Smoke-Free Policies within a Homeless Shelter. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(4), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35206595.
- Housten AJ, Hoover DS, Britton M, Bevers TB, Street RL, McNeill LH, Strong LL, Hersch J, McCaffery K, Volk RJ. Perceptions of Conflicting Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women: a Multimethod Study. J Gen Intern Med 37(5):1145-1154, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35015260.
- Taing M, Nitturi V, Chen TA, Kyburz B, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fernández V, Obasi EM, Williams T, Casey K, O'Connor DP, Koshy L, Britton M, Drenner K, Reitzel LR. Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(1), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 35010499.
- Nitturi V, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fernández V, Drenner K, Kyburz B, Williams T, Obasi EM, Britton M, Howard M, Rangel R, Sharp J, Smith S, Reitzel LR. Implementation and Outcomes of a Train-the-Trainer Program at Behavioral Health Treatment Centers as a Mechanism to Maintain Organizational Capacity to Address Tobacco Use Disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health 18(21):11635, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34770149.
- Britton M, Derrick JL, Shepherd JM, Haddad S, Garey L, Viana AG, Zvolensky MJ. Associations between alcohol consumption and smoking variables among Latinx daily smokers. Addict Behav 113:106672, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33011492.
- Kakarla SN, Shabaneh N, Jafry MZ, Britton M, Rogova A, Carter BJ, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Kyburz B, Williams T, Reitzel LR. Total vs Partial Workplace Tobacco Use Bans in Texas Behavioral Health Centers: Employees' Perceptions Related to Best Practices Implementation. Health Behavior and Policy Review 11(1):1471-1482(12), 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Baker ZG, Gentzis EA, Watlington EM, Castejon S, Petit WE, Britton M, Haddad S, DiBello AM, Rodriguez LM, Derrick JL, Knee CR. Reflections on a registered report replicating a body of dyadic cross-sectional research. Pers Relatsh 27(4):907-938, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 36419735.
- Britton M, Haddad S, Derrick JL. Prospective and Daily Effects of Cannabis Use on Smoking Outcomes During a Self-Guided Quit Attempt. Nicotine Tob Res 22(8):1399-1403, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32396637.
Abstracts
- Kakarla SN, Carter BJ, Siddiqi AD, Britton M, Chen TA, Leal IM, Williams T, Casey K, Sanchez H, Reitzel LR. Comparing baseline knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco use and cessation among providers at substance use treatment centers and medical healthcare centers in rural and/or medically underserved areas of Texas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 33, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Carter BJ, Britton M, Chen TA, Leal IM, Siddiqi AD, Williams T, Casey K, Sanchez H, Kakarla S, Reitzel LR. Beliefs and behaviors regarding non-cigarette tobacco use cessation care differ between providers at substance use treatment centers and community health centers serving rural and/or medically underserved areas of Texas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 33, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Siddiqi AD, Britton M, Chen TA, Leal IM, Carter BJ, Williams T, Casey K, Skeene K, Sanchez H, Kakarla S, Reitzel LR. Differences in providers’ perceived preparedness and actual delivery of screening and intervention practices for patients who smoke cigarettes between two types of healthcare centers serving rural and/or medically underserved areas of Texas. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 33, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Siddiqi AD, Britton M, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Rogova A, Jafry MZ, Kyburz B, Williams T, Reitzel LR. Evaluating beliefs and perceived competence about tobacco cancer prevention practices in Texas local mental health authorities 84(6_Supplement):2152, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Britton, M, Kakarla, SN, Aurora, S, Martinez Leal, I, Chen, TA, Cofer, J, Sanchez, H, Reitzel, LR. Alliances to Combat Tobacco in Organizations Now (Project ACTION): A Funded Study Protocol to Increase Evidence-Based Tobacco Intervention Capacity in LGBTQI+ Community and Healthcare Centers. Health Behavior Research 7(2), 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Britton, M, Dey, A, Martinez Leal, I, Rogova, A, Chen, TA, Lowenstein, LM, Sanchez, H, Reitzel, LR. Implementation and Dissemination of Project SWITCH (Supporting Workplace Investment in Tobacco Control and Health): A Quality Improvement Study Protocol to Address Tobacco Use, Relapse Prevention, and Secondhand Smoke Exposure at Texas Lung Cancer Screening Centers. Health Behavior Research 7(2), 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Martinez Leal, I, Britton, M, Dey, A, Jafry, MZ, Rogova, A, Chen, TA, Obasi, EM, Woodard, L, Reitzel, LR. Addressing Tobacco-Related and Lung Cancer Inequities Among Black Adults: A Mixed Methods Pilot Project. Health Behavior Research 7(2), 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Britton, M, Le, C, Martinez Leal, I, Rogova, A, Chen, TA, Karam-Hage, M, Cinciripini, PM, Sanchez, H, Reitzel, LR. Addressing High Tobacco Use Rates at Opioid Treatment Centers Through Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Programming: A Funded Clinical Quality Improvement Study Protocol. Health Behavior Research 7(2), 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Jafry, MZ, Shabaneh, N, Chen, TA, Britton, M, Leal M, I, Correa-Fernandez, V, Carter, BJ, Rogova, A, Kyburz, B, Williams, T, Reitzel, L R. Smoking Prevalence is Overestimated by Employees at Substance Use Treatment Centers. Both Before and After Education Provided During the Implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program. Health Behavior Research 6(2):32, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Carter, BJ, Britton, M, Chen, TA, Siddiqi, AD, Leal M, I, Correa-Fernandez, V, Rogova, A, Kyburz, B, Williams, T, Casey, K, Reitzel, L R. Training substance use treatment center providers on tobacco use treatments is associated with increased provision of counseling and pharmacotherapy to tobacco-using patients. Health Behavior Research 6(2):27, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Le, K, Taing, M, Britton, M, Chen, TA, Parent, MC, Tami-Maury, I, Leal M, I, Rogova, A, Kyburz, B, Williams, T, Patel, M, Reitzel, LR. Tobacco Use Interventions Among Texas Healthcare Centers Providing Behavioral Health Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients. Health Behavior Research 6(2):14, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Siddiqi, A D, Britton, M, Chen, TA, Carter, BJ, Wang, C, Leal M, I, Rogova, A, Kyburz, B, Williams, T, Patel, M, Reitzel, LR. Tobacco screening practices and perceived barriers in offering tobacco cessation services in the primary prevention of lung cancer among Texas healthcare centers providing behavioral health treatment. Cancer Prevention Research 16(1):25, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Carter BJ, Chen TA, Britton M, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fernández V, Rogova A, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Reitzel LR. Congruent views among substance use treatment center leadership on organizational readiness to implement a tobacco-free workplace program is linked to provider uptake of non-cigarette tobacco use treatment 83(7_Supplement):4184, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Taing, M, Nitturi, V, Chen, T A, Kyburz, B, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fernández, V, Obasi, E M, Williams, T, Casey, K, O’Connor D P, Koshy, L, Britton, M, Drenner, K, Reitzel, L R. Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers in Texas. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19(1):239, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Britton, M, Chen, T A, Leal M, I, Rogova, A, Kyburz, B, Williams, T, Patel, M, El-Zein, R, Bernicker, EH, Reitzel, LR. Low-Dose CT Eligibility Screening and Referral Practices in Organizations Serving People with Substance Use Disorders. Health Behavior Research 5(2):55, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Nitturi, V, Taing, M, Chen, TA, Kyburz, B, Martinez Leal, I, Correa-Fernandez, V, Obasi, E, Williams, T, Casey, K, O'Connor, DP, Koshy, L, Britton, M, Drenner, K, Reitzel, LR. Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers in Texas. Health Behavior Research 5(2):19, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Baseline Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Tobacco Cessation Among Rural Texas Healthcare Providers in Medical Healthcare Centers and Substance Use Treatment Centers. Poster. MD Anderson Cancer Center’s CATALYST Poster Symposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Associations between comprehensive versus less restrictive tobacco-free workplace policies in behavioral health treatment centers in Texas and policy communication, enforcement, and awareness. Poster. MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Education Week Poster Competition. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Latino Caregivers Navigating Dementia Care Decisions. Poster. Edson College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation Research Scholars' Day. Phoenix, Arizona, US.
- 2023. Helping Texans Quit Tobacco. Invited. Lyndon B Johnson Hospital Providers Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Enhancing Policy Effectiveness: Examining the Rollout of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy within Homeless-Serving Agencies and the Impact of Education Receipt. Conference. Poster presentation at MD Anderson's 2023 Summer Experience Poster Exhibition. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. The Interaction Between Employees’ and Leaders’ Concerns About a Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy Implemented at Substance Use Treatment Centers. Conference. Poster presentation at the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Changes in Substance Use Treatment Providers’ Delivery of the 5A’s for Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use in the Context of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program Implementation. Conference. Poster presentation at the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Tobacco use interventions among Texas healthcare centers providing behavioral health care for sexual and gender minority patients. Conference. Poster to be presented at the 2023 Livestrong Cancer Institute Cancer Prevention and Control Symposium. Austin, TX, US.
- 2022. NIH F31 Awards – Application Advice, Experiences, and Things I Wish I Knew. Invited. University of Houston HEALTH-FAST Scholars Programming. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Guest Support for Smoke-free Policies within a Homeless Shelter. Conference. Poster presented for the University of Houston's 2022 Undergraduate Research Day. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Delivery of the 5As Tobacco Use Disorder Intervention in Agencies across Texas that Provide Addiction Care for Adults with Substance Use Disorders. Conference. Oral presentation at the biannual meeting of Texas Southern University's Thomas F. Freeman Honors College. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Social Psychology and Pop Culture. Invited. STEM initiative for Houston Comicpalooza. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. Addressing Tobacco Dependence in Behavioral Health Settings. Invited. Virginia Department of Health Tobacco-free Tuesday Seminars, Virginia, US.
- 2023. Using the Organizational Readiness to Change Theory to Understand the Implementation of a Tobacco-Cessation Program in Homeless-Serving Agencies: A Qualitative Study. Conference. Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference. Galveston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Evaluating the Implementation and Dissemination of a Tobacco-free Workplace Program in Homeless-serving Agencies. Conference. Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference. Galveston, TX, US.
- 2023. Implementing a Tobacco-Free Policy at a Substance Use Treatment Center: Challenges and Successes. Conference. Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference. Galveston, TX, US.
- 2023. Implementation and outcomes of a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace program in agencies serving women with unmet social, economic, and behavioral health needs. Conference. Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference. Galveston, TX, US.
- 2020. The Impact of Microaggressions on Problematic Alcohol Use in the Latinx Community. Invited. 30th Annual Texas Research Society on Alcoholism Scientific Meeting. Bryan, TX, US.
- 2014. The combined role of gender and religiosity on the self-esteem of American adolescents. Conference. Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters Annual Meeting. Rochester, MI, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Dissemination of an Evidence-based Tobacco-free Workplace Program at an Agency Serving Women and Children Who Have Been Unhoused in Austin, Texas: A Case Study. Invited. 2025 Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2025. Implementation and Dissemination of The WORTH (Women-serving Organizations Rallying for Tobacco-free Health) Program: A Funded Quality Improvement Study Protocol to Address Evidence-Based Tobacco Capacity in Women-Serving Organizations. Poster. Annual American Academy of Health Behavior Scientific Meeting. San Diego, California, US.
- 2025. Providers’ Beliefs, Perceived Skill, and Perception of Organizational Norms Relate to Their Non-Cigarette Tobacco Intervention Delivery to Patients Seen in Healthcare Centers Serving Rural and Medically Underserved Areas of Texas. Poster. 2025 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2024. Comparing Baseline Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Tobacco Use and Cessation Among Providers at Substance Use Treatment Centers and Medical Healthcare Centers in Rural and/or Medically Underserved Areas of Texas. Conference. American Association for Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Beliefs and behaviors regarding non-cigarette tobacco use cessation care differ between providers at substance use treatment centers and community health centers serving rural and/or medically underserved areas of Texas. Conference. American Association for Cancer Research Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Los Angeles, California, US.
- 2024. Implementation and Dissemination of Project SWITCH (Supporting Workplace Investment in Tobacco Control and Health): A Quality Improvement Study Protocol to Address Tobacco Use, Relapse Prevention, and Secondhand Smoke Exposure at Texas Lung Cancer Screening Centers. Conference. American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Meeting. Savannah, Georgia, US.
- 2024. Addressing High Tobacco Use Rates at Opioid Treatment Centers through Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Programming: A Funded Clinical Quality Improvement Study Protocol. Conference. American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Meeting. Savannah, Georgia, US.
- 2024. Evaluating beliefs and perceived competence about tobacco cancer prevention practices in Texas local mental health authorities. Conference. American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting. San Diego, California, US.
- 2024. Addressing Tobacco-Related and Lung Cancer Inequities Among Black Adults: A Mixed Methods Pilot Project. Conference. American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Meeting. Savannah, Georgia, US.
- 2024. Alliances to Combat Tobacco in Organizations Now (Project ACTION): A Funded Study Protocol to Increase Evidence-Based Tobacco Intervention Capacity in LGBTQI+ Community and Healthcare Centers. Conference. American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Meeting. Savannah, Georgia, US.
- 2023. Congruent views among substance use treatment center leadership on organizational readiness to implement a tobacco-free workplace program is linked to provider uptake of non-cigarette tobacco use treatment. Conference. Poster presented at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2023. Associations Between Tobacco-free Workplace Policies in Behavioral Health Treatment Centers in Texas and Employee Beliefs and Center Practices on Tobacco Treatment. Conference. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. The Interaction Between Employees’ and Leaders’ Concerns About a Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy Implemented at Substance Use Treatment Centers. Conference. Poster presentation at the 2023 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Implementing a Tobacco-Free Policy at a Substance Use Treatment Center: Challenges and Successes. Conference. Paper accepted for oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology. Cincinnati, OH, US.
- 2023. Addressing the Complex Web of Relationships in Treating Tobacco and Other Substance Use. Conference. Paper accepted for oral presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology. Cincinnati, OH, US.
- 2023. Smoking Prevalence is Overestimated by Employees at Substance Use Treatment Centers, Both Before and After Education Provided During the Implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program. Conference. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2023 Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2023. Training substance use treatment center providers on tobacco use treatments is associated with increased provision of counseling and pharmacotherapy to tobacco-using patients. Conference. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2023 Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2023. Tobacco Use Interventions Among Texas Healthcare Centers Providing Behavioral Health Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients. Conference. Poster accepted for presentation at the 2023 Scientific Meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2023. Workplace-level provider factors associated with greater uptake of a tobacco-free workplace intervention within substance use treatment centers. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Changes in Substance Use Treatment Providers’ Delivery of the 5A's for Noncigarette Tobacco Use in the Context of the Implementation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program. Conference. Poster presentation at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Providers’ Non-cigarette Tobacco Use Intervention Practices in Relation to Their Beliefs, Perceived Skills, and Referral Knowledge in Texas Healthcare Centers Providing Behavioral Health Services. Conference. Poster accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. A Qualitative Study of Tobacco Quitline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices within Healthcare Settings in Texas that Treat Patients with Behavioral Health Condition. Conference. Poster accepted for presentation at the Society for Research on Nicotine & Tobacco Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Impact of provider perspectives about concurrent tobacco and substance use care on the delivery of tobacco treatment within agencies providing substance use care: A mixed methods study. Conference. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Implementing a Tobacco-Free Policy at a Substance Use Treatment Center: Challenges and Successes. Conference. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology. Cincinnati, OH, US.
- 2023. Addressing the Complex Web of Relationships in Treating Tobacco and Other Substance Use. Conference. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology. Cincinnati, OH, US.
- 2023. Texas Tobacco Quitline Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices within Behavioral Healthcare Settings. Conference. Poster presentation at the 2023 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2022. Tobacco Screening Practices and Perceived Barriers in Offering Tobacco Cessation Services in the Primary Prevention of Lung Cancer among Texas Healthcare Centers Providing Behavioral Health Treatment. Conference. Poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research Conference on Precision Prevention, Early Detection, and Interception of Cancer. Austin, TX, US.
- 2022. Evaluating a Breast Cancer Screening Decision Aid for Racially/Ethnically Diverse Women: A Pilot Trial. Conference. 44th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making. Seattle, WA, US.
- 2022. Analyzing screening influences to support shared decision-making for mammograms among diverse women. Conference. Poster presentation at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making. Seattle, WA, US.
- 2022. How do provider perspectives about concurrent tobacco and other substance use care impact delivery of tobacco treatment within agencies providing substance use care?. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology 2022 Summer Psychology Forum. Minneapolis, MN, US.
- 2022. Building Organizational Capacity and Expertise to Treat Tobacco Dependence within Behavioral Health Treatment Centers: A Qualitative Study of “Champion” Trainees’ Perspectives of a Train-the-Trainer Program. Conference. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Minneapolis, MN, US.
- 2022. Statewide Assessment of Tobacco-Free Policies and Evidence-Based Practices in Texas Agencies Providing Substance Use Treatment. Conference. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2022. Implementation of a Train-the-Trainer Program at Behavioral Health Treatment Centers as a Mechanism to Maintain Organizational Capacity to Address Tobacco Use Following Participation in a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program. Conference. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2022. Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers in Texas. Conference. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior. Key Largo, FL, US.
- 2022. Low-Dose CT Eligibility Screening and Referral Practices in Organizations Serving People with Substance Use Disorders. Conference. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior. Key Largo, FL, US.
- 2022. Promoting Cancer Health Equity: A Qualitative Study of Mentee and Mentor Perspectives of a Training Program for Underrepresented Scholars in Cancer Health Disparities. Conference. Oral presentation at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Health Behavior. Key Largo, FL, US.
- 2022. Higher Smoking Level Mediates the Association between Urban Stress and Lower Readiness to Quit Smoking among Adults Experiencing Homelessness. Conference. Poster presented virtually at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, US.
- 2021. From DemenTia to DemenCia: Way More Than a Single Letter. In Z. Baker (Chair), Speaking of Dementia: How to Refer to Dementia in Racial-Ethnic Minority Community-Facing Communications. Conference. Symposium presented virtually at the annual scientific meeting of The Gerontological Society of America, US.
- 2021. Recommendations for coping with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conference. Virtual poster presented at the annual convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, US.
- 2021. The Ins and Outs of Grant-Getting for Early Career Scholars. Conference. Virtual Professional Development Session presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, US.
- 2021. Recommendations for Assessment of Racial/Ethnic Microaggressions in EMA Methods. Conference. Virtual poster presented at the annual convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, US.
- 2021. Effects of COVID-19-related stressors on marital quality. Conference. Virtual poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, US.
- 2020. Do Multiple Recommendations Support Women as They Make Decisions about Screening Mammography?. Conference. Virtual Presentation at the 42nd Annual North American Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making (SMDM), US.
- 2020. Racial Microaggressions Impact Romantic Relationship Satisfaction through Reduction of Pro-Relationship Behaviors. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portland, OR, US.
- 2020. Racial Slights and Health Plights: Examining the Daily Effects of Microaggressions on Health Outcomes through Mood and Self-Control. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. Perceptions of Conflicting Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines and Intentions for Screening: Qualitative Differences between Black and White Women Age 50-75. Conference. Poster presented at the 12th AACR Conference for The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2019. How Perceptions of Conflicting Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Affect Intentions for Screening: A Qualitative Analysis of Black Women Age 50-75. 3Minute Research Presentation. Conference. 3Minute Research Presentation at the Health Disparities Education, Awareness, Research, and Training Consortium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. A longitudinal study of race/ethnicity, alcohol, and college dating violence. In C. Champion (Chair), Disentangling alcohol use and relationship aggression among romantic partners: Who, when, and why?. Conference. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. Minneapolis, MN, US.
- 2019. Homophobia among friends: The moderating role of conservative beliefs on ambivalence. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portalnd, OR, US.
- 2019. A true friend leaves paw prints on your heart: Level of pet commitment moderates the association between ostracism and well-being. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. Dear diary: The effect of a daily gratitude intervention on relationship functioning. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. P.S. I love you: Does drinking with the partner predict relationship-specific alcohol expectancies?. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. Alcohol use resulting from micro(brewed) aggressions reduced by partner support. Conference. Poster presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Portland, OR, US.
- 2017. Engagement with social surrogates buffers the impact of low partner responsiveness on problematic drinking behavior. Conference. Poster presented at Research Society on Alcoholism. Denver, CO, US.
- 2017. Social Surrogacy Moderates the Relationship Between Perceived Partner Responsiveness and Smoking Outcomes. Conference. Poster presented at Society of Personality and Social Psychology. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2017. But will it make me gain weight? Individual differences in self-regulation moderate the relationship between an unhealthy diet and worry about weight gain when quitting smoking. Conference. Poster presented at the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2015. Perceived partner responsiveness predicts smoking cessation outcomes among self-quitters. Conference. Poster presented at Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2015. Positive health behaviors predict greater success at resisting smoking temptations. Conference. Poster presented at Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2014. The moderating role of self-esteem instability in the relationship between self-esteem level and love styles. Conference. Close Relationships Preconference: Annual Convention Society for Personality and Social Psychology. Austin, TX, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Examining Provider Cancer Prevention Practices in Healthcare Centers Serving Rural and Medically Underserved Areas of Texas, USA, and Their Relationship to Social Cognitive Theory Factors to Address Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use Disparities. Poster. Cancer Prevention Research Conference 2025. London, GB.
- 2024. The Impact of Over-Time Alterations in Organizational Readiness to Change on Tobacco-Cessation Program Implementation in Agencies Serving Unhoused People: A Qualitative Study. Conference. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. Edinburgh, GB.
- 2024. Evaluating the Implementation and Dissemination of a Tobacco-free Workplace Program in Homeless-serving Agencies. Conference. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. Edinburgh, GB.
- 2024. Helping Everyone Achieve a LifeTime of Health–Future Addictions Scientist Training (HEALTH–FAST): Outcomes of a Training Program in Tobacco and Other Substance Use Health Equity Science. Conference. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. Edinburgh, GB.
- 2024. Enhancing Policy Effectiveness: Examining the Rollout of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy Within Homeless-Serving Agencies and the Impact of Education Receipt. Conference. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. Edinburgh, GB.
- 2024. Evaluating the Effects of a Tobacco-Free Workplace Program on Provider Beliefs about Client Tobacco Use and Self-Efficacy to Intervene at Texas Homeless-Serving Agencies. Conference. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. Edinburgh, GB.
- 2024. Evaluating the implementation of a tobacco-free workplace program in in agencies serving women with unmet social, economic, and behavioral health needs in Texas. Conference. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting. Edinburgh, GB.
- 2016. When does time heal? Perceived stressfulness as a moderator of time and posttraumatic growth. Conference. International Society for Trauma Stress Studies Annual Meeting. Dallas, US.
- 2016. All by myself: Does the fear of being single predict drinking to cope?. Conference. International Association for Relationship Research Annual Conference. Toronto, CA.
- 2016. Affectively consequential interactions with the partner predict health behavior use. Conference. International Association for Relationship Research Annual Conference. Toronto, CA.
- 2016. I get by with a little help from my friends: Avoidantly attached people benefit from using fictional pseudo-relationships to cope with stress. Conference. International Association for Relationship Research Annual Meeting. Toronto, CA.
Formal Peers
- 2024. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Professional Resources. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Documentation & Evaluation. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Professional Resources. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Documentation & Evaluation. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Professional Resources. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Documentation & Evaluation. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Documentation & Evaluation. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Professional Resources. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Documentation & Evaluation. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. MD Anderson's Tobacco Treatment Specialist Program: Professional Resources. Houston, Texas, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2024 - 2027 |
| Title: | A Virtual, Centralized Lung Cancer Screening Program for Northeast Texas |
| Funding Source: | CPRIT |
| Role: | Key |
| ID: | PP250004 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | Preventing Tobacco-Related Cancers by Expanding Capacity for Tobacco Use Interventions Within Agencies Serving Women with Behavioral Health Needs |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | MPI |
| ID: | PP240005 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | MD Anderson Community Cessation (MDACC) Quitline: Advancing equity in community health through high-value, cost-efficient cancer prevention interventions |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Permanent Health Funds |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | N/A |
| Date: | 2023 - 2026 |
| Title: | Taking Texas Tobacco Free: Dissemination to and Implementation within Centers Serving Texans who Identify as LGBTQ+ |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | PP230003 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2026 |
| 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-PI |
| ID: | PP230078 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2026 |
| Title: | Taking Texas Tobacco Free: Dissemination to and Implementation within Lung Cancer Screening Programs |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | PP230002 |
| Date: | 2022 |
| Title: | Helping Everyone Achieve a LifeTime of Health - Future Addiction Scientist Training |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Drug Addiction |
| Role: | Scholar |
| ID: | R25DA054015 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2024 |
| Title: | Addressing tobacco-related and lung cancer inequities among Black adults: A mixed methods pilot project |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Drug Abuse |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | U54MD015946-03S1 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2024 |
| Title: | Taking Texas Tobacco: Dissemination to and Implementation within Agencies Serving Texans Experiencing Homelessness |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | PP210026 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2026 |
| Title: | Taking Texas Tobacco Free among Substance Users within Community-based Healthcare Settings in Rural and Medically Underserved Areas Across Texas |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | PP210003 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2023 |
| Title: | Interagency Cooperation Contract: P20-2001 Behavioral Health Project |
| Funding Source: | Texas Department of State Health Services |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | HHS000961900001 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2021 |
| Title: | La Voz del Cuidador: Developing a Decision Aid to Help H/L Caregivers of PLWD Navigate Care Options |
| Funding Source: | NIDA/NIA |
| Role: | Pilot Award Principal Investigator, |
| ID: | R24AG065170 |
| Date: | 2020 - 2022 |
| Title: | Taking Texas Tobacco Free through a Sustainable Education/Training Program Designed for Personnel Addressing Tobacco Control in Behavioral Health Settings |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | PP200051 |
| Date: | 2019 - 2021 |
| Title: | The Impact of Microaggressions on Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Problems in the Latino Community |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism |
| Role: | NRSA Predoctoral Fellow |
| ID: | F31 AA027159 |
| Date: | 2018 - 2019 |
| Title: | Training Program to Reduce Breast Cancer Disparities in Black and Hispanic Women |
| Funding Source: | Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation |
| Role: | Scholar |
| ID: | GTDR17498270 |
| Title: | Racial disparities in genomic instability and immune evasion in obstructive disease and cancer of the lung. National Institutes of Health |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Acculturation, Social Context, Loneliness, and the Development of Alcohol Problems in Latinx Individuals |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Moving beyond support for quitting: Identifying relationship contexts that promote smoking cessation |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Drug Abuse |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Alcohol use, acculturation, and intimate partner aggression in Latinx couples |
| Funding Source: | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism |
| Role: | Co-I |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 07, 2025