Scott J. Leischow

Scott J. Leischow is a Research Professor at Arizona State University's College of Health Solutions. He joined ASU in June 2017 and retired from his tenured Professor position and role as Executive Director of Clinical and Translational Science in 2022, but continues to serve as a Research Professor. Prior to ASU, Dr. Leischow held leadership positions at Mayo Clinic Arizona (2012-2017), the University of Arizona Cancer Center, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he served as Chief of the Tobacco Control Research Branch and Senior Advisor for Tobacco Policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Leischow completed his doctorate in Health Education from the University of Maryland and a postdoctoral fellowship in Behavioral Pharmacology from Johns Hopkins University.

His research is translational, dedicated to moving research into practice and policy. Primary research areas include tobacco treatment, social networks, social media, nicotine behavioral pharmacology, adherence, dissemination science, systems thinking, population health, public health, and addiction. Over 25 years, he has conducted numerous clinical studies on pharmacologic and behavioral treatments for tobacco dependence, resulting in over 100 publications. He pioneered telehealth behavioral interventions for smoking cessation, creating the Arizona Smokers Helpline and contributing to the national smoking cessation infrastructure (smokefree.gov and 1-800-QUITNOW). His work also encompasses social and organizational networks for tobacco control and the impact of social media on e-cigarette use.

Dr. Leischow has received the following scientific awards:

• NIH Director's Award

He is also the past president of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT).

Current research grants include R01 DA037378-01 (Co-PI) on understanding e-cigarette adoption via social media and R01 DA044125-01 (PI) on over-the-counter varenicline for smoking cessation. He developed the Affinity Network and Translational Teams (ANTT) initiative and the Clinical and Community Translational Science (CCTS) initiative to foster transdisciplinary collaboration and improve translational research. Additionally, he led the REACH Program at Mayo Clinic Arizona focused on health equity and community health.

His work on social and organizational networks has been implemented globally to enhance collaboration, knowledge flow, and dissemination of evidence-based practices in tobacco control.