Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, PhD
Albert E. Kent Professor of PsychiatryCards
Appointments
Additional Titles
Chair, Human Investigations Committee (IRB), Human Research Protections Program
Professor, Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Contact Info
Psychiatry
Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519
United States
Appointments
Additional Titles
Chair, Human Investigations Committee (IRB), Human Research Protections Program
Professor, Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Contact Info
Psychiatry
Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519
United States
Appointments
Additional Titles
Chair, Human Investigations Committee (IRB), Human Research Protections Program
Professor, Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Contact Info
Psychiatry
Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519
United States
About
Copy Link
Titles
Albert E. Kent Professor of Psychiatry
Chair, Human Investigations Committee (IRB), Human Research Protections Program; Professor, Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Biography
Dr. Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine. She is also a Chair of the Human Investigations Committee (IRB) at Yale. Her research is focused on developing a bio-behavioral understanding of substance use behaviors in adult and adolescent substance users, with the goal of developing optimal prevention and cessation interventions. In the area of adolescent tobacco use, her research focuses on understanding the appeal, abuse potential and patterns of use of tobacco products, developing and testing the use of novel behavioral and pharmacological cessation and prevention interventions, and understanding behavioral and neural predictors of use and cessation behaviors. She has contributed to the Surgeon General’s reports on youth tobacco use behaviors, served as a member of the FDA’s Tobacco Product Scientific Advisory Committee and currently serves on the CDC's Interagency Commission on Smoking and Health. Dr. Krishnan-Sarin is the Co-PI on the Yale Tobacco Centers Of Regulatory Science, funded by the NIH and FDA, which is using a multidisciplinary approach to understand the role of flavors and other constituents of tobacco products in tobacco and nicotine addiction. She also leads the ENACT initiative funded by the American Heart Association which is focused on developing interventions for e-cigarette use behaviors among youth. In a separate and distinct line of research Dr. Krishnan-Sarin also develops and tests novel pharmacological interventions for alcohol use disorders in adults and examines neurochemical predictors of alcohol use and treatment response.
Appointments
Psychiatry
ProfessorPrimaryChronic Disease Epidemiology
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Cancer Prevention and Control
- Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Use Research at Yale (CENTURY)
- Center for the Translational Neuroscience of Alcohol
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
- Connecticut Mental Health Center
- Division of Addictions
- Division of Women's Behavioral Health Research
- Neuroscience Research Training Program (NRTP)
- Psychiatry
- Psychology Section
- Psychotherapy Development Center
- Substance Abuse Research
- Yale Cancer Center
- Yale School of Public Health
- Yale Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Yale Univeristy (1996)
- Postdoctoral fellowship
- Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (1995)
- PhD
- Purdue University (1992)
Research
Copy Link
Overview
My research is focused on developing novel and effective treatments for substance use behaviors among youth and adults. Among youth, this work involves understanding the prevalence and bio-behavioral underpinnings of risk taking behaviors, using a developmental perspective, and behavioral and neuroimaging methods, and translating this information into optimal prevention and cessation intervention that use experimental, behavioral and pharmacological methods. While most of this work has focused on tobacco use behaviors, we have also extended these efforts to alcohol and marijuana use among youth. My research is also focused on developing empirical scientific evidence to support national and international tobacco regulatory efforts. Among adults, my work has focused using a translational approach to developing and evaluating medications to reduce alcohol drinking among heavy drinkers.
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0002-3272-9782
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Grace Kong, PhD
Meghan Morean, PhD
Krysten Bold, PhD
Danielle Davis, PhD
Dana Cavallo, PhD
Deepa Camenga, MD, MHS, FAAP
Nicotine
Smoking Cessation
Alcohol Drinking
Tobacco Use Disorder
Nicotiana
Substance-Related Disorders
Publications
2026
Development and Pilot Test of a Novel Digital Social Support Intervention for Reducing Hazardous Alcohol Use
McCurdy L, Chung T, Stryjewski A, Spitzen T, Nich C, Krishnan‐Sarin S, Kong G, Kiluk B, Potenza M. Development and Pilot Test of a Novel Digital Social Support Intervention for Reducing Hazardous Alcohol Use. Alcohol Clinical And Experimental Research 2026, 50: e70301. PMID: 42026745, PMCID: PMC13106737, DOI: 10.1111/acer.70301.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricPatterns in methods, timing, and sequence of nicotine and cannabis co-use among adolescents
Ouellette R, Kong G, Davis D, Bold K, Li W, Sharma A, Krishnan-Sarin S, Morean M. Patterns in methods, timing, and sequence of nicotine and cannabis co-use among adolescents. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2026, 283: 113162. PMID: 42013579, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113162.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNicotine and Cannabis Co-Use and Sleep-Related Outcomes in Adults: a Narrative Review and Implications
Li W, Ferry F, Davis D, Krishnan-Sarin S. Nicotine and Cannabis Co-Use and Sleep-Related Outcomes in Adults: a Narrative Review and Implications. Current Addiction Reports 2026, 13: 35. DOI: 10.1007/s40429-026-00738-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCo-useSleep-related outcomesCannabis useCannabis co-useSelf-report scalesSleep outcomesSingle-substance useLongitudinal designNon-representative samplesSubstance useSleep remainsSleep measuresSelf-ReportPoorer sleepCannabisMental healthSleep disturbanceNicotineLong sleep durationMethodological limitationsNarrative reviewSleep-relatedSubstantial literatureSleep assessmentSleepAwareness and use of flavor accessories for combustible tobacco products: A 2024 cross-sectional survey of high school students in Connecticut, USA
Kyriakos C, Bold K, Morean M, Krishnan-Sarin S, Davis D, Kong G. Awareness and use of flavor accessories for combustible tobacco products: A 2024 cross-sectional survey of high school students in Connecticut, USA. PLOS ONE 2026, 21: e0341327. PMID: 41706645, PMCID: PMC12915970, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0341327.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsA qualitative study of same session co-use of nicotine and cannabis among adolescents and young adults
Davis D, Cavallo D, Bold K, Morean M, Kong G, Li W, Ponte V, Franco N, Lichenstein S, Krishnan-Sarin S. A qualitative study of same session co-use of nicotine and cannabis among adolescents and young adults. PLOS ONE 2026, 21: e0340050. PMID: 41499437, PMCID: PMC12779067, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340050.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSession useCannabis usePsychoactive effectsPsychoactive effects of nicotineCo-use of nicotineCo-usePsychoactive effects of cannabisEffects of cannabisCo-use behaviorsEffects of nicotineYoung adultsCannabis use experienceCannabis effectsCannabisNicotineCannabis vapingCessation effortsSessionsAdolescentsBehavioral patternsMask tasteThroat irritationAYAParticipantsAdults
2025
Commentary Paper on Cooling Flavors in Cigarette and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products
Bansal-Travers M, Villanti A, Page M, Goniewicz M, O’Connor R, Giovenco D, Krishnan-Sarin S, Bold K, Barnes A, Price S. Commentary Paper on Cooling Flavors in Cigarette and Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2025, 28: 884-886. PMID: 41263502, PMCID: PMC13052509, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntaf234.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricThe Effect of “Ice” Components in Sweet-Flavored Nicotine-Containing E-Liquids Among Young Adult E-Cigarette Users
Li W, Davis D, Wu R, Gueorguieva R, Green B, Krishnan-Sarin S. The Effect of “Ice” Components in Sweet-Flavored Nicotine-Containing E-Liquids Among Young Adult E-Cigarette Users. Experimental And Clinical Psychopharmacology 2025, 33: 477-482. PMID: 40489161, PMCID: PMC12817302, DOI: 10.1037/pha0000786.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsWatermelon flavorRewarding effectsGeneral Labeled Magnitude ScaleE-cigarette usersEffects of flavorYoung adult e-cigarette usersFlavor likingHedonic scaleAdult e-cigarette usersLabeled Hedonic ScaleFlavorWatermelonDrug Effects QuestionnaireFlavor conditioningE-liquidsYoung adultsPast-month e-cigarette usersPropylene glycol/vegetable glycerinSensory effectsE-cigarettesFixed effectsNicotine e-liquidE-cigarette useLikingLaboratory sessionsCardiovascular Health Effects and Synthetic Cooling Agents in E‐Cigarettes Labeled as “Clear” Marketed in Massachusetts After the Tobacco Product Flavoring Ban
Minetti E, Erythropel H, Keith R, Davis D, Zimmerman J, Krishnan-Sarin S, Hamburg N. Cardiovascular Health Effects and Synthetic Cooling Agents in E‐Cigarettes Labeled as “Clear” Marketed in Massachusetts After the Tobacco Product Flavoring Ban. Journal Of The American Heart Association 2025, 14: e036106. PMID: 40792641, PMCID: PMC12533735, DOI: 10.1161/jaha.124.036106.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsE-cigarettesE-cigarette usersBlood pressureTobacco productsFlavor banSynthetic cooling agentsFlavored tobacco productsNon-clearanceHeart rateCardiovascular health effectsE-cigarette useBaseline blood pressureE-liquidsElectronic cigarettesCardiovascular injuryE-cigarette productsHemodynamic effectsAcute useHealth impactsJUUL e-liquidsHeart rate measurementsMultivariate modelHemodynamic impactHealth effectsNonusersPutting the “Tobacco” in Tobacco-Free Blunt Wraps: Early Evidence From Adolescents Who Use Cannabis Blunts Signals a Potential Need for Regulatory Action
Morean M, Ponte V, Li W, Davis D, Sharma A, Krishnan-Sarin S, Bold K, Kong G. Putting the “Tobacco” in Tobacco-Free Blunt Wraps: Early Evidence From Adolescents Who Use Cannabis Blunts Signals a Potential Need for Regulatory Action. Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2025, 28: 175-179. PMID: 40600673, PMCID: PMC12723212, DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntaf139.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsFood and Drug AdministrationTobacco productsDrug AdministrationNational survey studyBlunt useTobacco useUS Food and Drug AdministrationUnited States Food and Drug AdministrationStates Food and Drug AdministrationConnecticut high school studentsAssociated with negative outcomesCannabis dependenceNationally-representative sampleHigh school studentsCannabisTobacco-freeE-cigarettesStudy of AdolescentSchool-wideAnalytic sampleBivariate analysisNegative outcomesAdolescentsBluntBlunted signalingEffects of oral nicotine pouches on cigarette smoking behaviour and tobacco harm exposure: a randomised pilot trial in adults
Fucito L, Baldassarri S, Wu R, Gueorguieva R, Morean M, Herbst R, Krishnan-Sarin S, O’Malley S. Effects of oral nicotine pouches on cigarette smoking behaviour and tobacco harm exposure: a randomised pilot trial in adults. Tobacco Control 2025, tc-2024-059094. PMID: 40550628, PMCID: PMC12377922, DOI: 10.1136/tc-2024-059094.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsSmoking abstinenceOral nicotine pouchesSmoking behaviorNicotine pouchesRandomised pilot trialPoint prevalence smoking abstinenceComplete smoking abstinenceOutpatient research clinicCigarette smoking behaviorPreliminary supportTobacco-specific carcinogenNon-significantNicotineResearch clinicOpen-labelSmoking cessationAbstinenceCigarette substituteUrinary levelsWeek 4Nicotine strengthSmoking cigarettesParticipantsCompare groupsAdults
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
A longitudinal study of the effects of cannabis exposure on neuro-development in adolescents and young adults
IRB ID2000024543RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date01/31/2021Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge13 years - 25 yearsImaging smoking-induced dopamine release utilizing PET imaging and nicotine patches
IRB ID2000023239RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date05/31/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 55 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Copy Link
Activities
activity Addiction
12/01/2015 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsEditorDetailsJournal Editorial Boardactivity Surgeon General’s Report “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Young People”.
2012 - PresentPublic ServiceAuthorDetailsHealth effects of smoking on children, adolescents, and young adultsactivity Institute of Medicine of the National Academies Report “Scientific Standards for Studies on Modified Risk Tobacco Products
2012 - PresentPublic ServiceAuthorDetailsEthics and Oversight of Research Studies on Modified Risk Tobacco Productsactivity Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
03/01/2020 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsPresidentactivity DHHS Interagency committee on Smoking and Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
12/01/2019 - PresentPeer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsAd-hoc Member
Honors
honor Young Investigator Award
01/01/1997National AwardSociety for Research on Nicotine and TobaccoDetailsUnited States
News & Links
Copy Link
News
- April 24, 2026
Krishnan-Sarin Presents Talk at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting
- April 23, 2026
New Research Presented from Yale Cancer Center at the AACR Annual Meeting
- April 09, 2026
Research by Bagdas, Addy Named Best Paper in Basic Science by Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
- March 13, 2026Source: STAT News (with Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Phd)
FDA Move on Flavored Vapes Rattles Public Health Experts
Get In Touch
Copy Link
Contacts
Psychiatry
Connecticut Mental Health Center, 34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519
United States