Alyssa F Harlow

Alyssa F Harlow is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, affiliated with the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences and the Real-world Evaluation in Behavioral Epidemiology Lab (REBEL Research). Her work integrates epidemiology and addiction science to inform tobacco policy and interventions.

• University: University of Southern California
• School: Keck School of Medicine
• Department: Department of Population and Public Health Sciences
• Academic Rank: Clinical Assistant Professor

Research Interests: Dr. Harlow focuses on: (a) disparities in tobacco/cannabis use and their fundamental causes; (b) transitions between tobacco products (initiation, progression, cessation); and (c) health effects of vaping on mental health, cardiopulmonary systems, and reproduction. She uses national (PATH Study) and regional (USC youth cohorts) longitudinal data to address these questions.

Article Trends: Her recent work spans nicotine/cannabis co-use, regulatory targets for vaping reduction, mental health outcomes, and disparities across age, race, and sexual identity. Publications appear in JAMA, Epidemiology, Addiction, and Tobacco Control, with methods including cohort studies, geospatial analysis, and experimental designs.

Scientific Awards:

• NIDA-funded K01 award (tobacco/cannabis retail environment)
• NIH Pediatric Loan Repayment Award

Grants & Collaborations: Dr. Harlow leads a NIDA K01 project examining retail environments and neighborhood disadvantage. Her research has directly influenced federal tobacco policy, leveraging national cohort studies like the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

Labs & Teams: She contributes to the REBEL Research Lab, applying real-world behavioral epidemiology to substance use policy, and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at USC and beyond.