Adam Leventhal, PhD
USC Health, Emotion, & Addiction Laboratory
University of Southern California
Research Interests and Accomplishments
Dr. Leventhal is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine and Psychology at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He is Director of the USC Health, Emotion, & Addiction Laboratory, which applies psychopharmacology and epidemiology to understand the intersection between addiction, health behavior, and mental health. His research identifies intrapersonal and environmental factors that modulate the mood-altering effects drugs and other health behaviors as a means of explaining population-level disparities as a function of gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and psychiatric comorbidities. He has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed publications, been awarded more than $8M in funding as PI, and has been recognized for his research contributions, having received the Judy Black Award in 2012 as well as early career research awards from the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, and APA Divisions 12, 28, and 50. He is also associate editor for Nicotine & Tobacco Research and Behavioral Medicine and standing member of the Addiction, Risk and Mechanisms NIH Study Section.
Quote from Dr. Leventhal
“Receiving the Judy Black Award was one of the major highlights of my professional career. To me, the JBA was “proof” that I had advanced to an independent scientist with a national reputation. It also was part of my initial introduction into the Academy, which I consider to be the leading professional organization dedicated to health behavior science and practice. I express my deepest gratitude to Randy, the Black family, and the Academy for this exceptional honor.”
