Melissa Lewis

Melissa Lewis is a Professor in the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Arlington. Previously, she held roles as Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Advancement at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and Professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She holds a doctorate in Health and Social Psychology from North Dakota State University, with additional degrees from Montana State University.

• Research Focus: Health-risk behaviors in adolescents and young adults, including alcohol use, cannabis use, and sexual risk-taking. Emphasis on implementation science and community-engaged interventions to reduce health disparities.
• Teaching: Specializes in mentoring graduate students and designing courses on public health interventions, grant writing, and evidence-based practices.
• Awards: Recognized with multiple NIH grants, including six longitudinal projects from NIAAA, and honors such as the 2021 Faculty Achievement Award and 2011 Early Career Reviewer Program distinction.

Her work integrates technology-driven approaches (e.g., smartphone surveys, text messaging interventions) to address substance use and risky behaviors. Current projects include examining social media’s role in adolescent alcohol use and developing evidence-based strategies for Texas communities.