MUSC NIDA K12 Scholars

Current Scholars

Amanda Palmer, Ph.D.
Project: “Evaluation of Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches as a Harm Reducing Substitute for Combustible Cigarettes”

In this randomized pilot study, participants who smoke will be recruited and sent tobacco-free nicotine pouches (TFNPs) to sample for 4 weeks in either high (6 mg) or low (3 mg) nicotine content strengths. Participants will report tobacco use behaviors, complete health related assessments, and submit biological samples throughout the study. Key outcomes include: 1) complete switching from cigarette smoking to non-cigarette product use; 2) cigarette smoking reduction; 3) health outcomes (DNA damage, respiratory symptoms), 4) nicotine dependence, and 5) subjective effects of product use.

Mentors/Consultants: Tracy Smith, Ph.D.; Benjamin Toll, Ph.D, David Long, Ph.D., Naomi Brownstein, Ph.D. Palmer PubMed Bibliography

Allison Smith, M.D.
Project: "A Pragmatic Remote Approach to Improve Transitions of Care and Retention in Opioid Use Disorder Treatment"

This project aims to translate the effective OUD treatments we have from the bedside to the community by directly delivering buprenorphine to individuals after discharge. The goal is to improve retention in treatment for medically complex individuals with OUD using remote care and technology to bypass many of the SDOH that currently impede retention. By translating knowledge of effective treatments into practical applications in real-world settings using implementation science, the long-term goal is to improve the morbidity and mortality of those with OUD using a method that can potentially be applied to other chronic diseases to improve outcomes and reduce health care disparities broadly.

Mentors/Consultants: Kelly Barth, D.O.; Matthew Carpenter, Ph.D.; Rochelle Hanson, Ph.D.; Kathleen Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

Sara Witcraft, Ph.D.
Project: "Treatment Retention in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder among Pregnant and Postpartum Women”

This project will refine and evaluate the feasibility of a novel, technology-enhanced transdiagnostic intervention for pregnant and postpartum women (PPW) with opioid use disorder, EMpowering Pregnant Women Receiving Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (EMPWR). EMPWR consists of brief provider-driven, telehealth-based behavioral intervention and companion mobile application that together aim to improve adherence to medications for opioid use disorder, with the overarching goal of preventing opioid overdose. Through this project, EMPWR’s structural and digital health elements will be refined and finalized through qualitative interviews with patients and providers, and the full EMPWR treatment model will be tested in a preliminary feasibility trial.

Mentors/Consultants: Aimee McRae-Clark, Pharm.D., Connie Guille, M.D., MSCR; Kenneth Ruggiero, Ph.D., Allison Wilkerson, Ph.D.
Witcraft PubMed Bibliography

Previous Scholars

ReJoyce Green, Ph.D.
Years in Program: 2023-2024
Project: “Application of Advanced Statistical Methodology to Understand Substance Use Among Youth”
Mentors/Consultants: Lindsay Squeglia, Ph.D., Bethany Wolf, Ph.D., Rachel Tomko, Ph.D., Louise Mewton, Ph.D.
Green PubMed Bibliography

Kathryn Gex, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 Program: 2023-2024
Project: "Application of Advanced Statistical Methodology to Understand Substance Use Among Youth"
Mentors/Consultants: Kevin Gray, M.D., Rachel Tomko, Ph.D., Shannon Phillips, RN, Ph.D., Christine Lee, Ph.D., Benjamin Ladd, Ph.D.
Gex PubMed Bibliography

Jennifer Jones, M.D.
Years in NIDA K12 Program: 2019-2023
Project: "Esketamine for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and Depression"
Mentors/Consultants: Sudie Back, Ph.D., Kathleen Brady, M.D., Ph.D., Robert Malcolm, M.D.
Jones PubMed Bibliography

Allison Wilkerson, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 Program: 2019-2022 Project: "Insomnia and Relapse in Treatment-Seeking Adults with Substance Use Disorder" Mentors/Consultants: Aimee McRae-Clark, Pharm.D., Daniel Taylor, Ph.D.
Wilkerson PubMed Bibliography

Brittany Bryant, D.S.W., LISW-CP
Years in NIDA K12 Program: 2020-2022
Project: "Adolescent Substance Use and Mental Health Disparities"
Mentors/Consultants: Lindsay Squeglia, Ph.D., Kevin Gray, M.D., Rachel Tomko, Ph.D., Christian Thurstone, M.D.
Bryant PubMed Bibliography

Vivienne Zhu, M.D., MS
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2018-2021
Project: "Automatically Identifying and Predicting Opioid Use Disorder Using Health Information Technology"
Mentors/Consultants: Kathleen Brady, M.D., Ph.D., Leslie Lenert, M.D., MS
Zhu PubMed Bibliography

Tracy Smith, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 Program: 2018-2019
Project: "Impact of E-Cigarette Characteristics on Reinforcement and Tobacco Use Patterns Among Current Smokers"
Mentors/Consultants: Matthew Carpenter, Ph.D., K. Michael Cummings, Ph.D.
Smith PubMed Bibliography

Angela Dawn Moreland, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 Program: 2015-2018
Project: "Integrating Parent Training into Treatment for Drug-Using and Recovering Parents"
Mentors/Consultants: Aimee McRae-Clark, Pharm.D., Carla Kmett Danielson, Ph.D., Shannon Self-Brown, Ph.D.
Moreland PubMed Bibliography

Bryan Heckman, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2015-2017
Project: "Personalized Smoking Relapse Prevention via Just-in-Time Adaptive Interventions"
Mentors/Consultants: Matthew J. Carpenter, Ph.D., K. Michael Cummings, Ph.D., David H. Gustafson, Ph.D., Andrew B. Lawson, Ph.D., Michael E. Saladin, Ph.D.
Heckman PubMed Bibliography

Gregory L. Sahlem, M.D.
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2015-2017
Project: "A Double Blind, Sham Controlled Trial of Excitatory rTMS to the Left Dorsolateral Pre-Frontal Cortex to Reduce Cannabis-Cue Induced Craving and Impulsive Decision Making in
Cannabis Use Disordered Participants"
Mentors/Consultants: Aimee McRae-Clark, Pharm.D., Robert Malcolm, M.D., Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., Nathaniel L. Baker, MS
Sahlem PubMed Bibliography

Lindsay M. Squeglia, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2014-2016
Project: "Neural Connectivity in Adolescent Marijuana Users: Basis for Treatment Strategies"
Mentors/Consultants: Colleen A Hanlon, Ph.D., Kevin M Gray, M.D.
Squeglia PubMed Bibliography

Zachary W. Adams, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2014-2015
Project: "mHealth Tools to Address Stress-Related Substance Use in Adolescents"
Mentors/Consultants: Carla Kmett Danielson, Ph.D., Frank A. Treiber, Ph.D.
Adams PubMed Bibliography

Erin A. McClure Ph.D.
Year in NIDA K12 program: 2014
Project: "Technological Innovations for the Remote Monitoring of Smoking in Adolescents"
Mentors/Consultants: Kevin M. Gray, M.D., Frank A. Treiber, Ph.D., Stephen T. Tiffany, Jesse Dallery, David H. Gustafson, Viswanathan Ramakrishnan, Ph.D.
McClure PubMed Bibliography

Jenna McCauley, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2013-2015
Project: "Reducing Prescription Opioid Misuse: Dental Provider Intervention Development"
Mentors/Consultants: Kathleen T. Brady, M.D., Ph.D., Cathy L. Melvin, Ph.D., MPH, Roger B. Fillingim, Ph.D., Renata S. Leite, D.D.S., MS
McCauley PubMed Bibliography

Kristyn Zajac, Ph.D.
Years in NIDA K12 program: 2013-2014
Project: "Treating Co-Occurring Substance Abuse and PTSD in High-Risk Transition Age Youth"
Mentors/Consultants: Ashli J. Sheidow, Ph.D., Maryann Davis, Ph.D.
Zajac PubMed Bibliography