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 23 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, PhD

Project Title: Does sweet taste potentiate nicotine cue reactivity?

Investigator: Dana Small, PhD

Project Title: Potentiation of nicotine locomotor activation by menthol.

Investigator: Yann Mineur, PhD

Project Title: Tobacco products and adolescents: Understanding use patterns and perceptions (Phase 1-3).

Investigator: Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, PhD

Project Title: Imaging the effect of electronic cigarettes at β2*-nACHRs.

Investigators: Stephan Baldassarri, MD & Irina Esterlis, PhD

Project Title: An investigation of tobacco product advertisements.

Investigator: Kathleen Garrison, PhD

Project Title: Qualitative study of cigars with adolescents and young adults.

Investigator: Grace Kong, PhD & Dana Cavallo, PhD

Project Title: Modulation of "protective" nicotine perception and use profiles by flavorants.

Investigator: Elise DeVito, PhD

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

Investigator: Lynn Fiellin, MD

Project Title: Development and psychometric evaluation of a novel measure of e-cig dependence.

Investigator: Stephanie O’Malley, PhD

Project Title: Identification and quantification of sweeteners/flavor additives in hookah products and their combustion by-products in smoke.

Investigator: Julie Zimmerman, PhD

Project Title: An ecological momentary assessment of cig and e-cig use in young adults.

Investigator: Deepa Camenga, MD

Project Title: Impact of switching to non-menthol cigarettes among smokers.

Investigator: Krysten Bold, PhD

Project Title: Study of short-serm adaptation of e-cigarette flavors on flavor intensity and liking.

Investigator: Barry Green, PhD

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: Reducing flavor aldehyde acetal formation in e-liquids through chemical design.

Investigator: Hanno Erythropel, PhD

Project Title: Trajectories of polytobacco use among adolescents.

Investigator: Patricia Simon, PhD

Project Title: Impact of menthol e-cigarettes on changes in adult smoking behavior following a potential ban of menthol cigarettes.

Investigator: Krysten Bold, PhD

Project Title: The impact of benzaldehyde on nicotine use behavior in adolescent and adult rats.

Investigator: Deniz Bagdas, 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

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

Investigator: Lisa Fucito, PhD

Project Title: Qualitative study of cigars with adolescents and young adults.

Investigator: Grace Kong, PhD & Dana Cavallo, PhD

Project Title: The effect of menthol flavor on nicotine salts and freebase nicotine e-liquids in adult menthol smokers

Investigator: Asti Jackson, PhD