Melissa R Schick

Melissa R Schick is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, where she is affiliated with the Division of Prevention and Community Research (DPCR) and The Consultation Center. She is also a member of the Janeway Society and contributes to the Family Violence Lab.

• PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Rhode Island (2022)
• Clinical Internship, Medical University of South Carolina (2022)
• BS in Psychology, Suffolk University (2013)

Dr. Schick's research centers on understanding the mechanisms underlying substance use among trauma-exposed individuals, with a focus on intimate partner violence, PTSD, and health disparities. She employs experience sampling methodologies to capture real-time behavioral and emotional patterns, aiming to inform the development of just-in-time adaptive interventions. Her work emphasizes marginalized populations and seeks to integrate equity considerations into substance use treatment and research.

Her recent publications span topics including substance-involved intimate partner violence, psychometric validation of trauma and stress scales, emotion dysregulation in daily life, and digital smoking cessation tools for older adults. These works reflect a strong trend toward ecological momentary assessment, health equity, and translational intervention science.

Her scientific honors include:

• John C. Roitzsch Memorial Scientist Practitioner Award (2022)
• Multiple Student Merit Awards (2018–2022)
• Dean’s Fellowship, University of Rhode Island (2020)
• Special Recognition for Service to Undergraduate Community (2020)
• Student Travel Award (2019)

Dr. Schick is actively involved in mentoring postgraduate associates such as Aishwarya Chowdhary and Alexis Alfano. She is currently funded by a Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Her collaborative network includes prominent researchers like Tami Sullivan, Angela Haeny, and Brian Kiluk.

She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Connecticut and contributes to interdisciplinary research teams focused on trauma, addiction, and community-based prevention.