Specializing In:
- Co-use of cannabis with other substances of abuse
- Cannabis use in cancer care
- Regulatory science
- Harm reduction
Biography
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. I am formally trained in biobehavioral epidemiology and public health, receiving my PhD in Community Health and Health Behavior from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions in 2021.
I have published more than 60 papers on topics related to nicotine and cannabis use. My work has appeared in Lancet Respiratory Medicine, JAMA Network Open, JNCI Monographs, Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Tobacco Control, Thorax, and Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.
Positions
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Assistant Professor of Oncology
- Department of Health Behavior
School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
- Research Assistant Professor, Community Health and Health Behavior
Background
Education and Training
- 2021 - PhD - Community Health and Health Behavior, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
- 2013 - MPH - Community Health and Health Behaviors, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
Professional Memberships
- 2021-present - Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CCIC)
- 2019-present - International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS)
- 2019-present - Research Society on Marijuana (RSMj)
- 2015-present - Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT)
Honors & Awards
- 2020 - Delta Omega Public Health Honorary Society, Gamma Lambda Chapter, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions
- 2020 - Outstanding Doctoral Achievement Award, Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professions
- 2020 - Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids (CICC) Trainee Research Spotlight Award
Research Overview
My research program addresses the impact of cannabis use throughout the cancer care continuum. My work ultimately seeks to inform the question, “Under what circumstances can cannabis yield therapeutic benefits, and how might cannabis-related harms be minimized?” My primary research line examines cannabis as a modifiable cancer risk factor through mixed method studies of nicotine-cannabis co-use, including use behaviors, contextual and policy influences on behavior, and consequences for cancer prevention and public health. My lab also conducts studies examining the use and applications of cannabis among patients with cancer during treatment and survivorship.
Publications
Smith DM, Kaye J, Walters K, Schlienz NJ, Hyland A, Ashare RL, Tomko R, Dahne J, McRae-Clark A, McClure E. Tobacco-Cannabis Co-use Among Cancer Patients and Survivors: Findings from Two US Cancer Centers. JNCI Monographs. 2024(66):234-243. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgad035.
Smith DM, Kozlowski L, O’Connor RJ, Hyland A, Collins RL. Reasons for individual and concurrent use of vaped nicotine and cannabis: their similarities, differences and associations with product use. Journal of Cannabis Research. 2021;3(39). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-021-00097-7.
Smith DM, Goniewicz ML. The role of policy in the EVALI outbreak: solution, or contributor? Lancet Resp Med. Feb 7 2020. pii: S2213-2600(20)30065-5. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30065-5.
Smith DM, Miller C, O’Connor RJ, Kozlowski LT, Wadsworth E, Collins RL, Wei B, Goniewicz ML, Hyland AJ, Hammond D. Modes of delivery in concurrent tobacco and cannabis use (co-use) among youth: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Survey. Substance Abuse. 2020; DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1709603
Smith DM, O’Connor RJ, Wei B, Travers MJ, Hyland A, Goniewicz ML. Nicotine and toxicant exposure among concurrent users (co-users) of tobacco and cannabis. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2020; ntz122, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntz122.