H. Harrington Cleveland

H. Harrington Cleveland, III, Ph.D. (also known as "Bo Cleveland") is a Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University's College of Health and Human Development. His work focuses on understanding how environments impact people's experiences and behaviors, particularly regarding substance use and recovery.

Dr. Cleveland's academic journey includes a B.A. in Political Science from St. Mary's College of Maryland (1988), a J.D. from Boston College Law School (1991), and a Ph.D. in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona (1998). His professional experience spans multiple institutions, including University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2000-2003), Texas Tech University (2004-2007), and Pennsylvania State University (2007-present).

Dr. Cleveland's research centers on two key areas: gene-environment interactions affecting adolescent substance use (particularly through the gPROSPER project), and understanding within-person processes underlying relapse and recovery from substance abuse. He employs intensive longitudinal methods, including smartphone data collection, to study momentary experiences of individuals in treatment for opioid addiction. His work increasingly focuses on homeless adolescents and their daily challenges.

His recent publications (2023-2025) show a strong emphasis on recovery community centers, novel pharmacological treatments for opioid use disorder (particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide), and daily dynamics of recovery processes. His research has evolved from primarily studying adolescent risk behaviors to encompassing the full continuum of substance use, from initiation through treatment and recovery.

• Barnie E. Rushing Outstanding Researcher Award for the College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2007
• Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award Nominee for the College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2006

Dr. Cleveland is affiliated with multiple research centers including the Child Study Center, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center, and the Social Science Research Institute. His laboratory, The RecoveR Group, conducts cutting-edge research using ecological momentary assessment methods to understand addiction and recovery in real-time. He collaborates extensively with Penn State Hershey Medical School on clinical research involving patients in treatment for opioid use disorder.