TCORS Pilot Program

The Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) funds pilot projects to initiate research relating to understanding the appeal and addictive potential of tobacco additives and modified risk tobacco products through behavioral, molecular, laboratory, pharmacological, epidemiological, and economic sciences that involves humans (both clinical & epidemiological research) and animals (basic research). We are particularly interested in studies of menthol, flavors, sweeteners, and e-cigarettes and studies using novel techniques that address the research priorities of the Yale TCORS, FDA and CTP.

We have solicited applications from the broader Yale community, including TCORS trainees. All pilots funded are peer-reviewed by the Yale TCORS Scientific Advisory Board Members and TCORS Executive Committee. We have funded 31 pilots from 2014-present.

If you are interested in learning more about the Yale TCORS Pilot Program, please contact Dr. Stephanie O'Malley at stephanie.omalley@yale.edu or Ann Agro at ann.agro@yale.edu.

Project Title: Perception of menthol and other flavors in electronic cigarettes and their interactions with nicotine irritation.
Investigator: Barry Green, Ph.D.

Project Title: Does sweet taste potentiate nicotine cue reactivity?
Investigator: Dana Small, Ph.D.

Project Title: Potentiation of nicotine locomotor activation by menthol.
Investigator: Yann Mineur, Ph.D.

Project Title: Tobacco products and adolescents: Understanding use patterns and perceptions (Phase 1-4).
Investigator: Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Ph.D.

Project Title: Imaging the effect of electronic cigarettes at β2*-nACHRs.
Investigators: Stephan Baldassarri, M.D. & Irina Esterlis, Ph.D.

Project Title: An investigation of tobacco product advertisements.
Investigator: Kathleen Garrison, Ph.D.

Project Title: An investigation of tobacco product advertisements.
Investigator: Grace Kong, Ph.D. & Dana Cavallo, Ph.D.

Project Title: Modulation of "protective" nicotine perception and use profiles by flavorants.
Investigator: Elise DeVito, Ph.D.

Project Title: An interactive videogame to collect novel data on young adolescent’s attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge about tobacco products.
Investigator: Lynn Fiellin, M.D.

Project Title: Development and psychometric evaluation of a novel measure of e-cig dependence.
Investigator: Stephanie O’Malley, Ph.D.

Project Title: Identification and quantification of sweeteners/flavor additives in hookah products and their combustion by-products in smoke.
Investigator: Julie Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Project Title: An ecological momentary assessment of cig and e-cig use in young adults.
Investigator: Deepa Camenga, M.D.

Project Title: Impact of switching to non-menthol cigarettes among smokers.
Investigator: Krysten Bold, Ph.D.

Project Title: Study of short-term adaptation of e-cigarette flavors on flavor intensity and liking.
Investigator: Barry Green, Ph.D.

Project Title: Identification and quantification of menthol, synthetic “cooling” agents, and artificial sweeteners in Canadian mentholated cigarettes and menthol-free as replacement products.
Investigator: Hanno Erythropel, PhD

Project Title: Trajectories of polytobacco use among adolescents.
Investigator: Patricia Simon, PhD

Project Title: The impact of benzaldehyde on nicotine use behavior in adolescent and adult rats.
Investigator: Deniz Bagdas, PhD

Project Title: Reducing flavor aldehyde acetal formation in e-liquids through chemical design.
Investigator: Hanno Erythropel, PhD

Project Title: The effect of menthol flavor on nicotine salts and freebase nicotine e-liquids in adult menthol smokers.
Investigator: Asti Jackson, PhD

Project Title: Do e-cigarettes have value for harm reduction for smokers that are not interested in quitting? A discrete choice experiment.
Investigators: Jody Sindelar, PhD & John Buckell, PhD

Project Title: Tobacco products and adolescents: understanding use patterns and perceptions.
Investigator: Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, PhD

Project Title: Switching to an oral nicotine product among adult cigarette smokers: Exploring the roles of product characteristics and user history.
Investigator: Lisa Fucito, PhD

Project Title: Preparing a novel e-cigarette dependence measure for adoption by the Patient Rated Outcomes Measurement Information System.
Investigators: Meghan Morean, PhD & Stephanie O’Malley, PhD

Project Title: Examining Flavor Regulations in E-Cigarettes Using an Online Hypothetical Purchase Tasks.
Investigator: Danielle Davis, PhD

Project Title: Anticipated Impacts of Menthol/Flavors Tobacco Legislation on Connecticut Black and Hispanic/Latinx Residents.
Investigators: Asti Jackson, PhD, Krysten Bold, PhD & Sakinah Suttiratana, PhD, MPH, MBA

Project Title: Examining the Effect of Varying Water Content of E-Liquids on Sensory Experience.
Investigators: Danielle Davis, PhD & Hanno Erythropel, PhD

Project Title: The Impact of Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin Ratio on Tobacco Product Liking and Disliking.
Investigator: Deniz Bagdas, PhD

Project Title: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ)-targeted tobacco marketing: Evaluating frequency of exposure and relationships with tobacco use, susceptibility, and risk perceptions among LGBTQ young adults.
Investigator: Juhan (John) Lee, PhD

Project Title: Pulmonary and cardiovascular toxicity of cinnamaldehyde-flavored ENDS and synthetic nicotine in ApoE-/- mice and cell culture systems.
Investigator: He (Peter) Wang, MD, PhD

Project Title: A Network Analysis of Behavioral Precursors to Tobacco Use Among Youth in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.
Investigator: Kathleen Garrison, PhD

Project Title: Investigating the Relationship between Menthol Flavor and Nicotine Metabolism in African Americans Who Smoke Cigarettes.
Investigator: Suchitra Krishan-Sarin, PhD