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Ezemenari M. Obasi, PhD

TitleProfessor of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences and Associate Dean of Research
Faculty RankProfessor
InstitutionUniversity of Houston
DepartmentPsychological, Health, & Learning Sciences (PHLS)
Address3657 CULLEN BLVD
Houston TX 77204
Phone7137434698
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    R03DA027481     (OBASI, EZEMENARI M)Sep 1, 2009 - Aug 31, 2012
    NIH
    Stress and Drug Use Vulnerability in Rural African Americans
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R01DA034739     (OBASI, EZEMENARI M)Apr 1, 2013 - Dec 31, 2019
    NIH
    Stress and Drug Use Vulnerability in the African American Community
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R13DA038955     (OBASI, EZEMENARI M)Feb 1, 2016 - Jan 31, 2019
    NIH
    Supporting Early Career and Minority Drug Abuse Research at the APA Convention
    Role: Principal Investigator
    U54MD015946     (BEECH, BETTINA M.)Apr 8, 2020 - Apr 30, 2025
    NIH
    HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention
    Role: Principal Investigator
    R25DA054015     (REITZEL, LORRAINE R)May 1, 2021 - Jan 31, 2026
    NIH
    Helping Everyone Achieve a LifeTime of Health - Future Addiction Scientist Training
    Role: Principal Investigator

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    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
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    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. Nizio P, Clausen B, Businelle MS, Ponton N, Jones AA, Redmond BY, Buckner JD, Obasi EM, Zvolensky MJ, Garey L. Mobile Intervention to Address Cannabis Use Disorder Among Black Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Feb 19; 13:e52776. PMID: 38373037.
      Citations:    
    2. Garey L, Salwa A, Smit T, Mayorga NA, Redmond BY, Fernandez SB, Ditre JW, Obasi E, Zvolensky MJ. Pain Severity in Relation to Smoking Cessation Problems and Self-Efficacy for Quitting among Latinx Individuals Who Smoke Cigarettes: The Moderating Role of Perceived Discrimination. Subst Use Misuse. 2024; 59(2):225-234. PMID: 37838964.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    3. Garey L, Smit T, Clausen BK, Redmond BY, Obasi EM, Businelle MS, Zvolensky MJ. Anxiety Sensitivity and Distress Tolerance in Relation to Smoking Abstinence Expectancies Among Black Individuals Who Smoke. J Stud Alcohol Drugs. 2024 Mar; 85(2):244-253. PMID: 38095261.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    4. Martinez Leal I, Njoh J, Chen TA, Foreman-Hays F, Reed BC, Haley SA, Chavez K, Reitzel LR, Obasi EM. Exploring COVID-19 Vaccine Attitudes among Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Communities: Community Partners' and Residents' Perspectives. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 02 14; 20(4). PMID: 36834067.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    5. Boyd RC, Castro FG, Finigan-Carr N, Okamoto SK, Barlow A, Kim BE, Lambert S, Lloyd J, Zhang X, Barksdale CL, Crowley DM, Maldonado-Molina M, Obasi EM, Kenney A. Strategic Directions in Preventive Intervention Research to Advance Health Equity. Prev Sci. 2023 05; 24(4):577-596. PMID: 36469162.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    6. Adepoju OE, Liaw W, Patel NC, Rastegar J, Ruble M, Franklin S, Renda A, Obasi E, Woodard L. Assessment of Unmet Health-Related Social Needs Among Patients With Mental Illness Enrolled in Medicare Advantage. JAMA Netw Open. 2022 11 01; 5(11):e2239855. PMID: 36322084.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    7. Carter BJ, Reitzel LR, Chen TA, Woodard L, Obasi EM. Engaging the Houston Community in Research: An Early Case Study of a Community Engagement Core in the University of Houston's HEALTH Center for Addictions Research and Cancer Prevention. Health Behav Policy Rev. 2022 Sep; 9(5):1017-1036. PMID: 36407873.
      Citations:    
    8. Gilbert LR, Starks S, Gray J, Reitzel LR, Obasi EM. Exploring the provider and organization level barriers to medication for opioid use disorder treatment for Black Americans: A study protocol. Public Health Pract (Oxf). 2022 Dec; 4:100308. PMID: 36570391.
      Citations:    
    9. Martinez Leal I, Martinez J, Britton M, Chen TA, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Kyburz B, Nitturi V, Obasi EM, Drenner K, Williams T, Casey K, Carter BJ, Reitzel LR. Collaborative Learning: A Qualitative Study Exploring Factors Contributing to a Successful Tobacco Cessation Train-the-Trainer Program as a Community of Practice. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 06 23; 19(13). PMID: 35805323.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    10. Brown HA, Roberts RD, Chen TA, Businelle MS, Obasi EM, Kendzor DE, Reitzel LR. Perceived Disease Risk of Smoking, Barriers to Quitting, and Cessation Intervention Preferences by Sex Amongst Homeless Adult Concurrent Tobacco Product Users and Conventional Cigarette-Only Users. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 03 18; 19(6). PMID: 35329321.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    11. Taing M, Nitturi V, Chen TA, Kyburz B, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Obasi EM, Williams T, Casey K, O'Connor DP, Koshy L, Britton M, Drenner K, Reitzel LR. Implementation and Outcomes of a Comprehensive Tobacco Free Workplace Program in Opioid Treatment Centers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 12 26; 19(1). PMID: 35010499.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    12. Ramclam A, Taing M, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Obasi EM, Martinez Leal I, Chen TA, O'Connor DP, Reitzel LR. An epidemic and a pandemic collide: Assessing the feasibility of tobacco treatment among vulnerable groups at COVID-19 protective lodging. Fam Syst Health. 2022 03; 40(1):120-125. PMID: 34914487.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimalsPHPublic Health
    13. Nitturi V, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Drenner K, Kyburz B, Williams T, Obasi EM, Britton M, Howard M, Rangel R, Sharp J, Smith S, Reitzel LR. Implementation and Outcomes of a Train-the-Trainer Program at Behavioral Health Treatment Centers as a Mechanism to Maintain Organizational Capacity to Address Tobacco Use Disorder. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 11 05; 18(21). PMID: 34770149.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    14. Cavanagh L, Obasi EM. Chronic stress, autonomic dysregulation and prospective drug use among African American emerging adults. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2022 Jan; 28(1):91-102. PMID: 34672646.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    15. Chen TA, Reitzel LR, Obasi EM, Dave JM. Did School Meal Programs and SNAP Participation Improve Diet Quality of US Children from Low-Income Households: Evidence from NHANES 2013-2014? Nutrients. 2021 Oct 12; 13(10). PMID: 34684575.
      Citations:    Fields:    Translation:Humans
    16. Le K, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Obasi EM, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Taing M, O'Connor DP, Reitzel LR. Organizational Factors Moderating Changes in Tobacco Use Dependence Care Delivery Following a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Intervention in Non-Profit Substance Use Treatment Centers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 10 06; 18(19). PMID: 34639785.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    17. Le K, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Obasi EM, Kyburz B, Williams T, Casey K, Brown HA, O'Connor DP, Reitzel LR. Organizational-Level Moderators Impacting Tobacco-Related Knowledge Change after Tobacco Education Training in Substance Use Treatment Centers. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 07 16; 18(14). PMID: 34300052.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    18. Heredia NI, Nguyen N, Martinez BA, Obasi EM, McNeill LH. The positive association between physical activity and alcohol use in African American adults. Prev Med Rep. 2021 Sep; 23:101487. PMID: 34381666.
      Citations:    
    19. Martinez Leal I, Taing M, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Obasi EM, Kyburz B, Le K, Koshy L, Chen TA, Williams T, Casey K, O'Connor DP, Reitzel LR. Addressing Smoking Cessation among Women in Substance Use Treatment: A Qualitative Approach to Guiding Tailored Interventions. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 05 27; 18(11). PMID: 34072064.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    20. Chen TA, Smith NG, Regan SD, Obasi EM, Anderson KF, Reitzel LR. Combining Global Positioning System (GPS) with saliva collection among sexual minority adults: A feasibility study. PLoS One. 2021; 16(5):e0250333. PMID: 33956852.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    21. Cavanagh L, Obasi EM. The Moderating Role of Coping Style on Chronic Stress Exposure and Cardiovascular Reactivity Among African American Emerging Adults. Prev Sci. 2021 04; 22(3):357-366. PMID: 32696119.
      Citations: 9     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    22. Nitturi V, Chen TA, Zvolensky MJ, McNeill LH, Obasi EM, Reitzel LR. Anxiety Sensitivity and Fast-Food Ordering Habits Among Black Adults. Health Behav Res. 2021 Feb; 4(1). PMID: 34541461.
      Citations:    
    23. Le K, Correa-Fern?ndez V, Leal IM, Kyburz B, Chen TA, Barrientos D, Saenz E, Williams T, O'Connor DP, Obasi EM, Casey K, Reitzel LR. Tobacco-free Workplace Program at a Substance Use Treatment Center. Am J Health Behav. 2020 09 01; 44(5):652-665. PMID: 33121583.
      Citations: 18     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    24. Taing M, Kyburz B, Leal IM, Le K, Chen TA, Correa-Fernandez V, Williams T, O'Connor DP, Obasi EM, Casey K, Koshy L, Reitzel LR. Clinician Training in the Adaptation of a Comprehensive Tobacco-Free Workplace Program in Agencies Serving the Homeless and Vulnerably Housed. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 08 25; 17(17). PMID: 32854185.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    25. Reitzel LR, Chinamuthevi S, Daundasekara SS, Hernandez DC, Chen TA, Harkara Y, Obasi EM, Kendzor DE, Businelle MS. Association of Problematic Alcohol Use and Food Insecurity among Homeless Men and Women. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 05 21; 17(10). PMID: 32455769.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    26. Murillo R, Reesor-Oyer LM, Hernandez DC, Liu Y, Obasi EM. Neighborhood Walkability and Overweight/Obese Weight Status Among Latino Adults. Am J Health Promot. 2020 07; 34(6):599-607. PMID: 32133864.
      Citations: 5     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    27. Odoh C, Businelle MS, Chen TA, Kendzor DE, Obasi EM, Reitzel LR. Association of Fear and Mistrust with Stress Among Sheltered Homeless Adults and the Moderating Effects of Race and Sex. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2020 06; 7(3):458-467. PMID: 31802428.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    28. Obasi EM, Chen TA, Cavanagh L, Smith BK, Wilborn KA, McNeill LH, Reitzel LR. Depression, perceived social control, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in African-American adults. Health Psychol. 2020 Feb; 39(2):107-115. PMID: 31697108.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    29. Murillo R, Reesor LM, Hernandez DC, Obasi EM. Neighborhood Walkability and Aerobic Physical Activity among Latinos. Am J Health Behav. 2019 07 01; 43(4):802-811. PMID: 31239022.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    30. Wrighting Q, Reitzel LR, Chen TA, Kendzor DE, Hernandez DC, Obasi EM, Shree S, Businelle MS. Characterizing Discrimination Experiences by Race among Homeless Adults. Am J Health Behav. 2019 05 01; 43(3):531-542. PMID: 31046884.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    31. Gough ME, Graviss EA, Chen TA, Obasi EM, May EE. Compounding effect of vitamin D3 diet, supplementation, and alcohol exposure on macrophage response to mycobacterium infection. Tuberculosis (Edinb). 2019 05; 116S:S42-S58. PMID: 31126718.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    32. Neisler J, Shree S, Reitzel LR, Chen TA, Kendzor DE, Obasi EM, Wrighting Q, Businelle MS. Characterizing Alcohol Use Behaviors among Homeless Men and Women. Am J Health Behav. 2019 01 01; 43(1):37-49. PMID: 30522565.
      Citations: 13     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    33. Steers MN, Chen TA, Neisler J, Obasi EM, McNeill LH, Reitzel LR. The buffering effect of social support on the relationship between discrimination and psychological distress among church-going African-American adults. Behav Res Ther. 2019 04; 115:121-128. PMID: 30415761.
      Citations: 19     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    34. Mountcastle HD, Park SH, Al-Ajlouni YA, Goedel WC, Cook S, Lupien S, Obasi EM, Hale L, Jean-Louis G, Redline S, Duncan DT. Stress levels are associated with poor sleep health among sexual minority men in Paris, France. Sleep Health. 2018 10; 4(5):436-441. PMID: 30241658.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    35. Smith NG, Winderman K, King B, Obasi EM, Reitzel LR. The Association of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Facets With Smoking Dependence Motives. Nicotine Tob Res. 2018 02 07; 20(3):388-392. PMID: 28340125.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    36. Obasi EM, Shirtcliff EA, Cavanagh L, Ratliff KL, Pittman DM, Brooks JJ. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Reactivity to Acute Stress: an Investigation into the Roles of Perceived Stress and Family Resources. Prev Sci. 2017 Nov; 18(8):923-931. PMID: 28181173.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    37. Pittman DM, Brooks JJ, Kaur P, Obasi EM. The cost of minority stress: Risky alcohol use and coping-motivated drinking behavior in African American college students. J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2019 Apr-Jun; 18(2):257-278. PMID: 28708010.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    38. Pittman DM, Cho Kim S, Hunter CD, Obasi EM. The role of minority stress in second-generation Black emerging adult college students' high-risk drinking behaviors. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2017 Jul; 23(3):445-455. PMID: 28206779.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    39. Shirtcliff EA, Skinner ML, Obasi EM, Haggerty KP. Positive parenting predicts cortisol functioning six years later in young adults. Dev Sci. 2017 Nov; 20(6). PMID: 28139051.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    40. Reitzel LR, Smith NG, Obasi EM, Forney M, Leventhal AM. Perceived distress tolerance accounts for the covariance between discrimination experiences and anxiety symptoms among sexual minority adults. J Anxiety Disord. 2017 May; 48:22-27. PMID: 27475254.
      Citations: 11     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    41. Obasi EM, Cavanagh L, Pittman DM, Brooks JJ. Effects of Evaluative Context in Implicit Cognitions Associated with Alcohol and Violent Behaviors. Addict Behav Rep. 2016 Jun; 3:48-55. PMID: 27175442.
      Citations:    
    42. Reitzel LR, Childress SD, Obasi EM, Garey L, Vidrine DJ, McNeill LH, Zvolensky MJ. Interactive Effects of Anxiety Sensitivity and Subjective Social Status on Psychological Symptomatology in Black Adults. Behav Med. 2017 Oct-Dec; 43(4):268-276. PMID: 26963636.
      Citations: 6     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    43. Reitzel LR, Okamoto H, Hernandez DC, Regan SD, McNeill LH, Obasi EM. The Built Food Environment and Dietary Intake among African-American Adults. Am J Health Behav. 2016 Jan; 40(1):3-11. PMID: 26685808.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    44. Obasi EM, Brooks JJ, Cavanagh L. The Relationship Between Psychological Distress, Negative Cognitions, and Expectancies on Problem Drinking: Exploring a Growing Problem Among University Students. Behav Modif. 2016 Jan; 40(1-2):51-69. PMID: 26311191.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    45. Obasi EM, Shirtcliff EA, Brody GH, MacKillop J, Pittman DM, Cavanagh L, Philibert RA. The relationship between alcohol consumption, perceived stress, and CRHR1 genotype on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in rural African Americans. Front Psychol. 2015; 6:832. PMID: 26150798.
      Citations:    
    46. Cavanagh L, Obasi EM. The moderating role of implicit alcohol-related cognitions in hazardous alcohol use. Addict Res Theory. 2015; 23(5):380-390. PMID: 26989352.
      Citations:    
    47. El-Behadli AF, Sharp C, Hughes SO, Obasi EM, Nicklas TA. Maternal depression, stress and feeding styles: towards a framework for theory and research in child obesity. Br J Nutr. 2015 Jan; 113 Suppl:S55-71. PMID: 25588385.
      Citations: 50     Fields:    Translation:HumansPHPublic Health
    48. Brody GH, Yu T, MacKillop J, Miller GE, Chen E, Obasi EM, Beach SR. Catecholamine levels and delay discounting forecast drug use among African American youths. Addiction. 2014 Jul; 109(7):1112-8. PMID: 24521257.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    49. Beasley M, Sabatinelli D, Obasi E. Neuroimaging evidence for social rank theory. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012; 6:123. PMID: 22586388.
      Citations:    
    50. Brody GH, Beach SR, Chen YF, Obasi E, Philibert RA, Kogan SM, Simons RL. Perceived discrimination, serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region status, and the development of conduct problems. Dev Psychopathol. 2011 May; 23(2):617-27. PMID: 23786700.
      Citations:    
    51. Mackillop J, Obasi E, Amlung MT, McGeary JE, Knopik VS. The Role of Genetics in Nicotine Dependence: Mapping the Pathways from Genome to Syndrome. Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep. 2010 Nov; 4(6):446-453. PMID: 21686075.
      Citations:    
    52. Obasi EM, Leong FT. Construction and validation of the Measurement of Acculturation Strategies for People of African Descent (MASPAD). Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2010 Oct; 16(4):526-39. PMID: 21058816.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    53. Walker RL, Alabi D, Roberts J, Obasi EM. Ethnic group differences in reasons for living and the moderating role of cultural worldview. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2010 Jul; 16(3):372-8. PMID: 20658880.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Humans
    54. Walker RL, Wingate LR, Obasi EM, Joiner TE. An empirical investigation of acculturative stress and ethnic identity as moderators for depression and suicidal ideation in college students. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2008 Jan; 14(1):75-82. PMID: 18230003.
      Citations: 38     Fields:    Translation:Humans
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