Robert Turrisi

Robert Turrisi is a Professor of Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research at Pennsylvania State University with over 35 years of experience in prevention science. His work focuses on reducing drunk driving, substance abuse, and skin cancer through innovative interventions and evidence-based programs. He leads the PRO Health Lab and contributes to the Prevention Research Center at Penn State.

His research spans:

• Substance abuse prevention across adolescence, early adulthood, and aging
• Brief parent interventions to reduce college student drinking consequences
• Skin cancer prevention and sun-safety behaviors
• Training next-generation prevention scientists and implementing evidence-based programs

His contributions are recognized by:

• Prevention Research Award (Society for Prevention Research)
• Faculty Scholar Medal (Penn State)
• Ralph Hingson Prevention Scientist Researcher of the Year Award

As a dedicated mentor, all his doctoral students since 2004 have secured NIH F31 training fellowships. He has served on NIH grant review study sections since 1988 and reviews for journals including Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs and Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. His work has been featured in national media outlets such as NBC Dateline, Good Morning America, and USA Today.

He serves on the Child Endangerment Expert Panel for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and is a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited.