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Stephanie O'Malley, PhD

Elizabeth Mears and House Jameson Professor of Psychiatry; Deputy Chair, Clinical Research

Research Summary

The goal of our laboratory is to develop more efficacious treatments for alcohol use disorders and nicotine dependence and to provide the science base for the regulation of tobacco products. Toward this end, we are conducting clinical trials to determine efficacy of medications and behavioral interventions, and laboratory studies to determine the mechanisms underlying the effects of treatment and the underlying nature of the disorder. Research on how flavors, such as methol and sweeteners, influence the use of tobacco products is underway to inform the regulation of tobacco products by the FDA.

Specialized Terms: Medications development for alcoholism and smoking; Risk reduction and young adult drinking; tobacco regulatory science; treatment methodology; patient treatment matching; biomarkers of treatment response

Extensive Research Description

Yale Tobacco Center for Regulatory Science

Clinical trials of varenicline for the treatment of alcohol dependence among smokers and of naltrexone for young adult heavy drinkers

Laboratory studies to evaluate medications for substance use disorders

Validation of biomarkers for monitoring drinking in clinical trials

Secondary analyses to identify moderators and predictors of response to treatments for alcohol dependence using tree based and trajectory analyses

Training of clinician and transdisciplinary scientists

Research Interests

Alcoholism; Psychiatry; Smoking; Substance-Related Disorders; Risk Reduction Behavior; Psychiatry and Psychology

Clinical Trials

ConditionsStudy Title
Addictive Behaviors; Alcohol AddictionBrief training for 18-26 year olds: Regulation of alcohol craving
Addictive Behaviors; Tobacco AddictionVarenicline for treatment of e-cigarette dependence
Alcohol Addiction; Men's Health; Women's HealthA PPG Sensor-Based Feedback Intervention for Heavy Drinking Young Adults
Tobacco AddictionThe interaction of flavor with nicotine form in adult smokers
Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchAn fMRI study of responses to e-cigarette advertising and warnings among adolescents
Addictive Behaviors; Mental Health & Behavioral Research; Tobacco AddictionSwitching to Potential Reduced Exposure Products in Adult Smokers (JUUL)
Mental Health & Behavioral ResearchMavoglurant in Alcohol Drinking