Maryann Pentz

Maryann Pentz, PhD, is a Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California (USC), holding the Sidney R. Garfield Chair in Health Sciences. She serves as Director of the Institute for Prevention Research, leading initiatives focused on translational research and public health interventions. Her work emphasizes tobacco control policy, adolescent health, and prevention science.

Her research spans epidemiology, behavioral health, and health equity, with a focus on tobacco use patterns, e-cigarette impacts, and social determinants of health. Notable contributions include studies on the association between tobacco marketing and youth use, as well as the health effects of vaping. She has also investigated the role of social media in health communication, such as analyzing Twitter discourse on vaping trends.

• Director, Institute for Prevention Research
• Sidney R. Garfield Chair in Health Sciences
• Over 200 peer-reviewed publications in public health, epidemiology, and prevention science

Dr. Pentz's research highlights interdisciplinary approaches, combining quantitative methods with community engagement to address public health challenges. Her work often intersects with policy development, aiming to reduce health disparities through evidence-based interventions. She has led studies on the AVID College Preparatory Program’s impact on adolescent health and evaluated the effectiveness of tobacco retail licensing policies.

Her publications reflect a commitment to translating research into actionable strategies, such as developing prevention programs targeting substance use and promoting healthy behaviors in youth. Key themes include mental health correlates of tobacco use, the role of executive function in health behaviors, and leveraging technology (e.g., ecological momentary assessment) for real-time health monitoring.