Amelia Arria

Dr. Amelia Arria is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. She directs the Center on Young Adult Health and Development, the first U.S. center dedicated to young adult health research. Her education includes a B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University, a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh, and postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Her research examines risk factors for substance abuse, mental health challenges, and academic obstacles among adolescents and young adults. She leads the longitudinal College Life Study tracking health behaviors in college students and co-leads the Maryland Collaborative to Reduce College Drinking. Primary interests include:

• Familial/social determinants of substance use
• Mental health service utilization barriers
• Suicide behavior predictors
• Addiction treatment efficacy
• Academic impacts of drug use

Her recent publications focus on cannabis policy impacts, disability-related substance risks, campus alcohol policies, and mental health service accessibility. Work demonstrates strong emphasis on translating research into practical prevention strategies for educational institutions.

As Principal Investigator of multiple federally funded projects, she oversees significant grant initiatives focused on young adult health. She directs a research center providing:

• Longitudinal data collection expertise
• Program evaluations for addiction treatment
• Technical assistance for evidence-based policy implementation