Pallav Pokhrel, PhD, MPH
Program Co-Leader, Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Full Member, Population Sciences in the Pacific Program (Cancer Prevention in the Pacific), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Academic Appointment(s):
Associate Professor (Associate Researcher), University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
Degree(s):
PhD, Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California
MPH, Biostatistics/Epidemiology, University of Southern California
Research Focus
Dr. Pokhrel's research deals with reducing tobacco-related cancer disparities and preventing abuse of new and emerging tobacco products. His current research focuses on investigating 1) the effects of e-cigarette marketing on young adults' beliefs, attitudes, and e-cigarette and cigarette use behaviors; 2) the effects of e-cigarette use on tobacco use behavior; 3) the psychosocial predictors of ethnic/racial disparities in tobacco use; 4) the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on young adults’ mental health and tobacco use behavior; and 5) the application of self-regulation theories on tobacco use prevention and cessation interventions.
His research is mainly supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
Selected Publications
Pokhrel P, Phillips KT, Tam H, Kawamoto CT, Nakama M, Kaholokula JK. (2021). Ethnicity and the mechanisms of point-of-sale e-cigarette marketing's influence on behavior: A longitudinal study. Psychol Addict Behav; https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000784.
Pokhrel P, Bennett BL, Boushey CJ. (2021). Body esteem, weight-control outcome expectancies, and e-cigarette use among young adults. Nicotine Tob Res; 23(3), 454-461. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa009.
Pokhrel P, Elwir T, Mettias H, Kawamoto, CT, Oli N, Okamoto, SK. (2021). The Effects of E-Cigarette Use on Alcohol and Marijuana Abuse Symptoms in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Young Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health; 18(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413159.
Pokhrel P, Ing C, Kawamoto CT, Laestadius L, Buente W, Herzog TA. (2021). Social media's influence on e-cigarette use onset and escalation among young adults: What beliefs mediate the effects? Addict Behav; 112, 106617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106617.
Phillips KT, Okamoto SK, Johnson DL, Rosario MH, Manglallan KS, Pokhrel P. (2021). Correlates of tobacco use among Asian and Pacific Islander youth and young adults in the U.S.: A systematic review of the literature. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol; 29(5), 440-455. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000511.
Publication list via PubMed
Active Grants
P. Pokhrel, PI
NIDA
R01DA053766
"Ethnic differences in the effects of COVID on the substance use behavior of emerging adults"
01/2022 – 12/2024
P. Pokhrel, Project Leader; Palafox, Guerrero, Hernandez MPIs
NCI
5U54CA143727-12 7573
"Full Project 1: Adolescent tobacco and areca nut use prevention in Guam"
Center: Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health Equity (PIPCHE)
09/2020 – 08/2023
P. Pokhrel, PI
NCI
R01CA228905
"Social processes of e-cigarette marketing's influence on behavior"
09/2018 – 08/2022
P. Pokhrel, PI
NCI
1R01CA202277
"Prospective effects of electronic cigarette marketing on expectancies and behavior"
02/2016 – 01/2022
