Clark Wilson, MPH
Clinical Research Assistant
The Ohio State University
Q: Please describe your current position and research interests.
A: As a research assistant, I help the Brinkman and El-Hellani labs with various study-related projects and tasks. This ranges from preparing e-liquids with specific ingredient compositions, to analyzing puffing behavior data from participant studies. My research interests focus on the regulation, marketing, and safety of substances that are available because they avoid existing regulation. This includes recent hemp-derived cannabinoid products, such as Delta-8 THC.
Q: What do you think is an emerging issue related to nicotine and tobacco?
A: I think the relatively recent emergence of products containing 6-methyl nicotine will be an important issue to watch because of the regulatory gaps and challenges it has exposed. I hope to contribute to research examining this issue.
Q: What advice or tips would you offer to new nicotine and tobacco researchers?
A: Don’t be afraid to take research opportunities that may not be exactly what you envisioned. You will expand your skillset, your network of peers, and you will learn more about yourself.
Q: How did you first become interested in nicotine and tobacco research?
A: Throughout my public health education during my MPH, I learned about the low success rate of smokers’ attempts to quit, and the ever-evolving marketing tactics employed by the tobacco industry. As a result, I became interested in learning how research can assist in informing the regulation of tobacco and nicotine products, especially from a prevention of use point of view.
Q: Describe one of your projects related to nicotine and tobacco research and why you are proud of the project.
A: One of the first studies I contributed to in my current role examined the effects of sugars and humectants on the harmful emissions generated by waterpipe tobacco. As part of this research, we had to find a way to modify a commercial tobacco product to reach specific sugar and humectant levels, which proved to be a challenging problem to solve. I am proud to have helped contribute solutions to that problem, and to the many other problems we’ve had to solve throughout the study.
Q: What do you do in your spare time (what are your hobbies)?
A: I enjoy biking, traveling, thrifting, and spending time with my wife, Chloe, and our two cats.