Meet the TRIP Team

Faculty

Vani Simmons, PhD - Director
Senior Member

Vani Simmons, PhD, is the director of the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. Dr. Simmons' research interests include the development of smoking cessation and relapse-prevention interventions for special populations (at-risk/vulnerable groups), including cancer patients, college students and ethnic minorities. Smoking among cancer patients can result in numerous adverse health consequences. Dr. Simmons and her team have developed a line of research to create a novel, theory-based smoking-relapse prevention intervention for cancer patients. Her work with cancer patients has recently extended to electronic cigarette use and to understanding barriers and facilitators to low-dose computed tomography as a screening tool for high-risk smokers. Dr. Simmons has also conducted research on the development of culturally appropriate smoking relapse­ prevention and cessation intervention materials for Hispanic smokers and she is currently co-leading (with Dr. Brandon) a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a Spanish­ language self-help smoking cessation intervention for Hispanic smokers. Her research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute, Florida Department of Health James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, and other foundations.

Christine Vinci, PhD 
Assistant Member

Dr. Vinci received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University. Her research focuses on developing and testing behavioral interventions that address cancer-risk behaviors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol use) and stress management. To date, most of the interventional research she has conducted is specific to mindfulness-based interventions and strategies, with a primary focus on mHealth and underserved populations.

Thomas Brandon, PhD
Senior Member

Thomas Brandon, PhD, is a professor of Psychology and Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida. Dr. Brandon's research focuses on factors that maintain tobacco dependence, as well as the development of novel tobacco cessation and relapse-prevention interventions. His research has examined the problem of cigarette smoking and smoking relapse via several different modalities, ranging from basic human laboratory research on smoking motivation, through applied research on smoking cessation and relapse prevention across populations. With interventions, he has concentrated on theory-based behavioral treatments and self-help interventions. The Forever Free® self-help programs have been validated in four randomized controlled trials and are disseminated by NCI and health organizations nationwide. Recently, Dr. Brandon expanded his research to study addiction mechanisms and potential clinical utility.

David Drobes, PhD 
Senior Member Emeritus

Dr. Drobes has conducted extensive human laboratory studies of cue reactivity and withdrawal among cigarette smokers, with a long-term goal to translate laboratory findings into novel behavioral and pharmacological smoking cessation treatments. Recent work has focused on effects of low nicotine cigarettes on smoking behavior and cessation. He has served as principal investigator on grants from federal, state, and private agencies. Dr. Drobes received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University, followed by post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Florida (psychophysiology) and the Medical University of South Carolina (substance abuse).

Research Staff

Ranjita Poudel, PhD
Applied Research Scientist

Dr. Poudel is a T32 Behavioral Oncology fellow at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program (TRIP) under the mentorship of Drs. Christine Vinci and Vani Simmons. She completed her PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Florida International University. Her primary research interest focuses on tailoring mindfulness and mHealth interventions for the treatment and prevention of cancer. She is currently involved in projects examining the efficacy of mindfulness in managing stress among cancer caregivers and the utility of mHealth to aid smoking cessation.

Karen Obremski Brandon, PhD 
Applied Research Scientist

Karen Obremski Brandon, PhD, is a research scientist at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. Dr. Brandon received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University. She focused on familial and individual difference characteristics of alcohol use and abuse in children, adolescents, and adults before joining TRIP. She currently contributes to projects on self-help for smoking cessation, health disparities in smoking cessation treatments, and e-cigarette use for smoking cessation.

Marilyn Horta, PhD
Applied Research Scientist

Dr. Marilyn Horta is an Applied Research Scientist in the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior under the mentorship of Drs. Christine Vinci and Vani Simmons. Dr. Horta completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience and a NIDA T32 postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Florida (UF). Dr. Horta’s broader research aims to characterize social cognition and decision-making to improve health and well-being across adulthood and aging. Her most recent work as a Research Scientist in the UF Department of Psychology examined trust-related decision-making and learning in aging as well as substance use risk among older adults with and without chronic pain. At TRIP, Dr. Horta is involved in research that implements mHealth interventions for smoking cessation and mindfulness-based stress reduction to mitigate cancer-risk behaviors. 

Skye Dougan, MPH
Research Coordinator IV

Skye is a Research Coordinator at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Master's in Public Health for Epidemiology. Her research interests include cancer epidemiology, health disparities, as well as data science and health technology. At TRIP, she is working on multiple projects related to mHealth for smoking cessation, mindfulness-based interventions, and conducting blood draws for HSCT caregivers.

Sierra Washington, M.P.H.
Research Coordinator IV

Sierra is a Research Coordinator at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and the University of South Florida with a Master of Public Health. Her research interests include behavioral and communication interventions for equitable health outcomes.

Helen Yates
Research Coordinator IV

Helen is a Research Coordinator at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Science Biology and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Her research interests include public health education and communication, as well as working with minority populations. 

Paula Hernandez, MPH, CPH
Research Coordinator II

Paula Hernandez is a Research Coordinator at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program with Dr. Vani Simmons. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences and a Bachelor of Public Health. She recently completed her Master's in public health in maternal and child health with a graduate certificate in epidemiology at USF. Her additional research interest lies in chronic diseases, sexual and reproductive health, reproductive justice and health disparities.

Halle Smith, BA
Research Coordinator II

Halle is a research coordinator at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminology. Her research interests include the intersection of psychology and the legal system, and she plans to pursue a Clinical Psychology PhD.

Madison Rivera, BS, BA
Research Coordinator II

Maddy is a research coordinator at the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a BS in Biomedical Sciences and a BA in Sociology. Her research interests include oncology and psychosocial interventions aimed at improving health outcomes. In the future, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree in medicine.

Maria Almendares, MPH, CPH
Research Coordinator II

Maria is a Research Coordinator with experience in the field of Public Health. She currently works with the Vidrine team on projects related to smoking cessation. She is involved in participant recruitment, communication, and data management for these projects. Maria is dedicated to expanding her knowledge and ongoing expertise in public health research, with a particular interest in programs aimed at improving health and wellness outcomes.

Alex Rivera BA, MSc
Research Coordinator I

Alexandra is a Research Coordinator at the Tobacco Research Intervention Program. She previously worked with Dr. Vinci’s team as a Research Intern during 2021-2022. Alexandra graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, minoring in Addiction Studies. She recently graduated from King’s College London with a Master of Science in Addiction. Alexandra’s research interests include implementation and dissemination science in substance use research, the intersection of homelessness and substance use disorders, and technology-assisted treatment to narrow gaps in accessibility. In the future, she plans to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Keith Liotta
Tobacco Treatment Specialist

Keith is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Behavior from the University of Florida. He formerly worked as a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist in Gainesville, FL, where he provided evidence-based programs specifically targeting teens and adolescents regarding the risks of tobacco and nicotine usage at a younger age. His interests include preventing and reducing the overall usage of smoking for at-risk individuals in underserved communities and providing assistance in the lung cancer screening process. 

Trainees

Leslie Sawyer, BS
Graduate Student

Leslie is a graduate student in the doctoral program in clinical psychology at the University of South Florida. Dr. Thomas Brandon is her major professor. Her research and clinical interests center on substance misuse. At TRIP, Leslie is currently working on studies involving a smartphone app for smoking cessation and investigating factors that dissuade adult smokers from using e-cigarettes for harm reduction (i.e., switching from combustible to e-cigarettes). cigarettes for smoking cessation.

Honor Woodward, MS
Graduate Student

Honor Woodward is a graduate student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at the University of South Florida. She is pursuing her PhD under the mentorship of Drs. Vani Simmons and Jennifer Vidrine. Broadly, her research interests involve promoting health in marginalized communities and developing efficacious smoking cessation interventions for vulnerable or at-risk groups. At TRIP, she is working on multiple projects related to smoking cessation among cancer patients. Previously, she received her Master's of Science in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology, studying HIV-related health disparities and intersectional minority stress.

Administrative Support Staff

Merida Flythe
Executive Assistant

Merida is a bilingual administrative professional with over 15 years of experience in healthcare operations, project coordination and executive support. She provides comprehensive administrative and event coordination support for research programs focused on community outreach and tobacco intervention. Passionate about advancing public health, she also serves as Co-Chair of Estamos Unidos, promoting cultural engagement and community wellness initiatives.

Terri White-Jones
Grant Administrator V

Terri White-Jones is a Grant Administrator for the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She has 13 years of experience in the financial and administrative management of sponsored projects. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. Prior to Moffitt, she worked at the University of South Florida and Raymond James Financial.

Yanid Grullon, BA
Grants Management Administrator

Yanid Grullon is a grants administrator for the Tobacco Research and Intervention Program. She joined Moffitt Cancer Center in 2017 and is currently providing grant support to the faculty at TRIP. Yanid received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Ana G. Mendez University in Puerto Rico.