Social networks & substance use
Examining friendship networks, perceived norms and interpersonal communication to understand substance use among youth and young adults.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH · SOCIAL NETWORKS · DIGITAL INTERVENTIONS
A translational
research agenda.
I believe social connections are significant risk and protective factors for substance use and prevention. My research translates insights from social networks and interpersonal processes into technology-based interventions that expand access to care and support recovery.
Ideas. Connections. Impact.
Research is built through connections.
Explore the collaborators and shared publications behind my research.
COLLABORATION NETWORKDrag people · Scroll to zoom
Size: included works · Line thickness: shared works · Color: institution
Network scope & affiliation checks
21 works: 19 published, one accepted, and one preprint, using the CV and website publication list. Under-review manuscripts are excluded. Counts reflect this list, not each author’s complete output. One CV citation abbreviates its author list; missing authors may affect counts. The VR pilot is included as listed in the CV, without independent publication verification. Unconfirmed affiliations are shown in gray. Institution colors reflect checked directory affiliations, rather than necessarily the affiliation when a paper was written.
EVIDENCE & INTERPRETATION
Science Briefs
Research explained: mental health, substance use, social connections and recovery.
Loading research briefs…
RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
Social mechanisms.
Digital interventions.
Connecting social network insights to prevention, treatment and recovery.
RESEARCH FRAMEWORKSocial mechanisms + digital health
01 / RESEARCH
From mechanisms
to interventions.
My research connects social processes, behavioral health and technology to identify modifiable influences on substance use and develop practical intervention approaches.
Virtual reality & digital health
Developing and evaluating technology-based approaches to substance use treatment, including virtual reality interventions for e-cigarette use.
Access & community relevance
Investigating help-seeking, stigma and barriers to care, with an interest in equitable access and implementation in community settings.
A translational research agenda
Identify social and interpersonal mechanisms. Translate findings into intervention targets. Evaluate approaches that can work in real-world settings.
02 / CONSULTING
Clear questions.
Rigorous methods.
Areas of expertise for future consulting with research teams, nonprofit organizations and behavioral health programs.
01 Research design & methodology
Align research questions with study designs, measures and analysis strategies. Support survey development, study planning and interpretation of evidence.
02 Quantitative analysis
Expertise in social network analysis, multilevel modeling, generalized linear models, structural equation modeling, and mediation and moderation. Experience with R, Mplus and SPSS.
03 Program evaluation
Develop evaluation questions and outcome frameworks, assess feasibility and acceptability, and interpret findings to inform program improvement.
04 Substance use & digital health
Bring behavioral health and intervention research expertise to prevention and treatment projects, including virtual reality and other technology-based approaches.
05 Evidence synthesis: systematic reviews & meta-analysis
Support review question development, protocol preparation, search strategy planning, study screening, data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment. Synthesize findings through systematic reviews and, where appropriate, meta-analysis to inform research, practice and program decisions.
Consulting services are in development. This section outlines expertise and intended service areas.
03 / ABOUT
Academic background
& research.
I am a Research Assistant Professor at the Rural Drug Addiction Research Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
I received my PhD in Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies from Texas Tech University in 2024, following an MPhil in Clinical Health Psychology in 2018 and a BSc in Psychology in 2013, both from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. From September 2024 to August 2026, I completed postdoctoral training at the University of Texas at Arlington’s School of Social Work. In September 2026, I joined the Rural Drug Addiction Research Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as a Research Assistant Professor. Before my doctoral training, I worked as a Health Tutor at the College of Health and Wellbeing, Kintampo, Ghana.
I believe that understanding the social connections that shape substance use is essential to developing effective prevention and treatment approaches. Yet insights into social networks and interpersonal processes are not always translated into practical intervention strategies. My research seeks to bridge this gap by identifying modifiable social mechanisms and using these insights to inform scalable, technology-based interventions that increase access to care and promote recovery from substance use.
Please explore the Research, Publications, and Teaching tabs for more information about my work, or use Connect to discuss research collaboration and future consulting opportunities.
2024
PhD, Addictive Disorders & Recovery Studies
Texas Tech University
2018
MPhil, Clinical Health Psychology
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
2013
BSc, Psychology
University of Cape Coast, Ghana
04 / TEACHING & MENTORING
Building analytical confidence.
My teaching and mentoring support students in applying evidence, developing research skills and connecting behavioral health knowledge to practice.
Teaching experience
Substance Use Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral
Substance Use Treatment
Research mentoring
Systematic reviews, network visualization, multilevel modeling, path analysis and collaborative scholarly writing.
06 / PUBLICATIONS
Publications.
Research across substance use, social influence, mental health and digital interventions.
Loading publications…
05 / CONNECT
Let’s connect.
Interested in research collaboration, consulting, or a professional conversation? Introduce yourself and tell me what you have in mind.
SERVICE & ENGAGEMENT
Beyond the research.
Conferences, community engagement and professional service.
PRIVATE / OWNER WORKSPACE
Manage website.
Update your professional content and review connection requests in one place.
Sign in with your owner account to manage this website.
Sign inNew brief
Save privately, check the original research, then publish when ready. Returning a published article to Draft removes it from public view.
Your briefs
Replace your CV
The latest PDF will appear beneath your homepage photo.
Add a publication
Existing publications
Service gallery
Post an activity
Connection requests
Email notifications are not connected yet. Requests are saved here when visitors submit the Connect form.