Alicia Allen, PhD

Cancer Prevention and Control Program

Biography

Alicia Allen, PhD, MPH began working in clinical research on substance use disorders in 2001 as an undergraduate student. This experience prompted her to obtain her masters in community health education, graduate certification in addiction studies and doctorate in social and behavioral epidemiology, all from the University of Minnesota. She also completed a fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the area of prenatal smoking. She joined the University of Arizona as an assistant professor in 2016. Dr. Allen has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, ClearWay Minnesota, American Cancer Society, and University of Minnesota.

Cancer Focus

Dr. Allen is interested in the prevention of cancer, primary by understanding the intersection between addiction and substance use with ovarian hormones and other women's health issues. For example, she is exploring the role of hormonal contraceptives (e.g. birth control pills) and the menstrual cycle in smoking cessation.