Adolescent & Emerging Adult Health Behavior and Addiction Lab (AE² Lab)

Co-Directors: Dr. Latoya Attis, PhD and Dr. Andrea H. Weinberger, PhD

Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in the AE² Lab! We study adolescent and emerging adult health behaviors, mental health, and substance use through a developmentally informed, equity-centered lens. Our lab is a collaborative learning space where students are trained not only in research methods, but also in mentorship, reflexive practice, and ethical engagement with complex systems of care.

We welcome undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students who are curious, thoughtful, and motivated to contribute to research that advances health equity and improves real-world outcomes for young and emerging adults.

About the Lab

The AE² Lab examines how health behaviors and addiction develop across adolescence and emerging adulthood, viewing these periods as a connected developmental continuum rather than isolated life stages. Our research explores how relationships, systems of care, educational institutions, and broader social environments shape risk, resilience, and continuity of care during critical developmental transitions.

Grounded in principles of health equity, our research spans behavioral health, substance use treatment systems, and educational and clinical training. We are particularly interested in understanding how access to care, service delivery, and relational contexts influence outcomes among adolescents, emerging adults, and college students. Through collaborative research and intentional mentorship, we support trainees in developing as scholars, clinicians, and future leaders in behavioral health.

Research Areas

Current areas of focus include:

Behavioral health development across adolescence and emerging adulthood, including mental health and substance use
College student well-being, help-seeking, and access to care within educational settings
Continuity of care across developmental and institutional transitions
How systems, institutions, and policies shape access, engagement, and outcomes
Relational and contextual processes that influence risk and resilience
Equity and disparities in behavioral health across developmental stages

Current Projects