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Robert Turrisi
Professor of Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research Center
Summary Statement

Rob Turrisi's research focus is in the application of behavioral decision-making in brief interventions to reduce underage substance misuse and cancer. This research is primarily funded by NIAAA and NCI.

Department
  • Biobehavioral Health - BBH
  • Prevention Research to Optimize (PRO) Health Lab
  • Research and Labs
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Education
  • University at Albany-State University of New York, PhD, Social Psychology,1988
Currently Accepting Graduate Students
Phone
Office Address
210 Biobehavioral Health Building
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Fax
814-863-7525
Affiliations

Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center

Interests
  • Conducting clinical trials to reduce risky drinking and consequences
  • Examining decision making underlying risky behaviors and protective behaviors
  • Conducting clinical trials to reduce melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers
  • Examining theoretical models of communication (parent-teen; doctor-patient)
Professional Experience

Rob Turrisi's research focus is in the application of behavioral decision-making to prevent underage drinking, drunk driving, and melanoma.  Since coming to Penn State in 2004, Turrisi has been a PI or Co-PI on well over $20,000,000 in research funds from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Cancer Institute, and American Cancer Society for his alcohol and cancer prevention work. Turrisi has also authored informational booklets for parents on how to talk with their adolescent and emerging adult sons and daughters about alcohol and preventing skin cancer that are currently in use at numerous cites around the USA, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Grants and Research Projects

My research examines psychological theories of behavioral decision-making and how these relate to: 1) adolescent and young adult health, 2) family relationships, and 3) efficacious brief interventions to prevent high-risk behaviors.

Prevention Research to Optimize (PRO) Health Lab Web Pages

Publications