The goal of the RENEW Team is to promote Recovery through ENgaging and Empowering Women. Research efforts focus on the intersection between substance misuse and women’s health.
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NEW STUDY! The SOAR Study is now recruiting! This study is recruiting women over the age of 18 who are pregnant or have recently had a baby. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about the SOAR Study please click here: The SOAR Study |
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The ROBIN Project is now recruiting participants! This study is recruiting pregnant women between the ages of 18-40 with or without an opioid use disorder. If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about the ROBIN Project please fill out the interest form here: The ROBIN Project |
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The ORCHID Study recruitment has closed! |
Staff Spotlight
Stephanie Mallahan, MPH
Get to know Stephanie:
Stephanie is a PhD candidate in the Clinical Translational Sciences program, who works with her advisor, Dr. Allen. She also has a master’s in public health from UArizona. Stephanie is passionate about maternal and child health research, and conducting research that can be used to inform public health and clinical practice. She loves being able to swim in the near year-round Tucson sunshine, reading or listening to audiobooks, and her two cats.
Best thing about Stephanie's job:
Working with a team that is committed to the work that they do, appreciates everyone’s contributions, and supports pursuing your interests and ideas.
One of Stephanie's proudest moments working with the RENEW Team:
"I am proud to have been around to see the growth of the RENEW team; both in terms of the expansion of the research that is being conducted, and the talented team."
Setphanie's professional growth with the RENEW Team:
"While working with the RENEW team, I am fortunate to have grown professionally in many ways. From grant writing to study implementation and research dissemination, I have learned many invaluable skills that I will continue to use in my research career."
Welcome to the RENEW team!
Out in the Community
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Vail Pride DayOn February 17, 2024, the RENEW Team participated in the Vail Pride Day, connecting with 15,000 families to share research opportunities and other resources with them. Pictured left to right: RENEW team members Preeti Sahota, Abigail Martinez, Alex Harris |
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TMC Safety FairOn March 2, 2024, the RENEW Team participated in the TMC Safety Fair, connecting with 20,000 people to share research opportunities and other resources with them. Pictured left to right: RENEW team members Kyndall Kleinman, Romina Perez, Fiona Thomas |
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Runs 4 RecoveryOn March 30, 2024, the RENEW Team participated in the annual Runs 4 Recovery, connecting with families to share research opportunities and other resources with them. Pictured left to right: RENEW team members Mariana Felix, Arena Haught, Fiona Thomas |
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Family Fun Fair On April 6, 2024, the RENEW Team enjoyed participating in the Family Fun Fair at the Reid Park hosted by the Southern Arizona for Youth & Families of Pima County and Child & Family Resource INC. The community event featured resources for families in the Tucson Area. Pictured: RENEW team members Kyndall Kleinman |
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Abrams and Banner TablingThe RENEW Team tables at the Abrams Public Health Center and at Banner North every week to share research opportunities and resources with our community. |
Team Achievements
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Dr. Alicia Allen presents at BIO5 Friday Frontiers in Biomedical Research On January 12, 2024, Alicia Allen, PhD, MPH, associate professor, presented research at the Friday Frontiers series. Friday Frontiers in Biomedical Science is a series designed to engage researchers and clinicians at all stages of career development. Dr. Alicia Allen presented her research, "Does puberty play a role in the initiation of substance misuse in adolescents? Preliminary results from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study". Pictured : Dr. Alicia Allen, PhD, MPH. |
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Scientific Hub for Empowering Research on female health Advancement (SHERA) On January 25, 2024, Dr. Alicia Allen and team organized and hosted the SHERA (Scientific Hub for Empowering Research on female health Advancement) event at the University of Arizona Health Sciences (UAHS) building. This event recognized women health researchers’ success and expertise across UAHS as well brought forth an opportunity of collaborations amongst attendees. Pictured left to right: Dr. Leslie Farland, Dr. Elise Erickson, Alma Anderson, Dr. Melissa Herbst-Kralovetz, Dr. Alicia Allen, Mariana Felix. |
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Dr. Alicia Allen presents at DADR Editor’s Picks Webinar On March 28, 2024, Alicia Allen, PhD, MPH, associate professor, presented research at the DADR Editor’s Picks Webinar. Dr. Alicia Allen presented her research, "Feasibility of remotely assessing hormonal contraceptive use and smoking related symptomatology: Evidence from a preliminary prospective cohort study”. |
Studies Recruiting
The SOAR Study
Recruiting women who are currently pregnant or have recently had a baby
From Our Partners
| Sexual assault awareness month |
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign observed during the month of April to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence in the United States. The following pages provide discussion questions and related resources to utilize with youth in your community. |
| Be There Certificate | Learn to support someone struggling with their mental health through this free, self-paced learning experience designed to increase mental health literacy and provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to safely support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health: |
Research Findings
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Dr. Allen worked with Dr. Rankin and her team to explore the impact of babywearing in the NICU on the desire to use substances. They found that those who were randomly assigned to babywearing, as compared to an infant rocker, reduced the desire to use substances. In fact, the mothers who were assigned to babywearing were almost 7 times more likely to report having no desire to use substances compared to those who were assigned to use the infant rocker! You can read the full publication below.
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Doctoral students Samantha Werts-Pelter, Briana Choi, and Stephanie Mallahan published a paper with Drs. Allen and Person-Rennell that focuses on if women would be willing to use hormonal birth control to help them quit smoking. In a survey of over 300 people, 3 out of 4 respondents (73.7%) say they would be willing hormonal birth control to help with smoking cessation. Respondents indicated that they would be most willing to use the birth control pill as opposed to other types of hormonal birth control (such as an injection or patch). You can find more details in the publication linked below.
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