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Faculty by area of expertise 
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Melissa Blank
Assistant professor
Faculty advisor to Psi Chi
Contact information
Phone: (804)
827-3894
E-mail:
blankmd@vcu.edu
Education
Ph.D. (2007), Virginia Commonwealth University
Program affiliation
Research interests
Generally speaking, my research aims to understand the determinants and consequences of drug-taking behavior using human models of dependence. Most of my work has been dedicated to examining the various factors that influence tobacco smoking behavior, such as concurrent drug use (caffeine), gender, and measurement method (computerized devices versus direct observation). I have recently been involved in projects investigating a drug commonly used in combination with tobacco, the areca nut. Popular in areas such as Southeast Asia and India, little is known about the dependence potential of areca nut impendent of tobacco. Additionally, I am currently collaborating on a project designed to examine convenient and cost effective treatments for alcohol-using college students.
Selected publications
Blank, M. D., Disharoon, S., & Eissenberg, T. (2009). Comparison of methods for measurement of smoking behavior: mouthpiece-based computerized devices versus direct observation. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 11, 896-903.
Abrams, K. A., Zvolensky, M., Dorflinger, L., Galatis, A., Blank, M. D., & Eissenberg, T. (2008). Fear reactivity to bodily sensations among heavy smokers and non-smokers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 16, 230-239.
Blank, M. D., Deshpande, L. D., & Balster, R. L. (2008). Availability and characteristics of areca nut products in the U.S. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 40, 309-313.
Blank, M. D., Sams, C. L., Weaver, M. F., & Eissenberg, T. (2008). Nicotine delivery, cardiovascular profile, and subjective effects of an oral tobacco product for smokers. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 10, 417-421.
Blank, M. D., Kleykamp, B. A., Jennings, J. M., & Eissenberg, T. (2007). Caffeine’s influence on nicotine’s effects in non-smokers. American Journal of Health Behavior, 31, 473-483.
Recent/current courses taught at VCU
- Learning and Cognition, undergraduate level
- Tests and Measurements, undergraduate level
- Health Psychology, undergraduate level
- Research Methods, undergraduate level
| Recent grants or awards |
Biopsychology Student of the Year, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2007 |
NIDA Director’s Travel Award for College on Problems of Drug Dependence, 2005 |
National Service Research Award (NIH Pre-doctoral Fellowship). NIDA F31DA018447: Does puff topography measurement alter smoking behavior? Start Date: September, 2004. Duration: 3 years. Principal Investigator. |