Lauren Long, MPH, CCRP
Senior Clinical Research Specialist / Clinical Research Specialist 3
The Ohio State University
Q: Please describe your current position and research interests.
A: As a Senior Clinical Research Specialist, I manage research studies related to cancer and tobacco control for Dr. Darren Mays’ Lab at the Center for Tobacco Research. I oversee the daily activities of research projects involving human subjects, collaborate with external universities, and lead participant recruitment efforts. Additionally, I ensure regulatory compliance, manage data collection and analysis, contribute to publications and grant applications, and mentor junior clinical research staff. I have a professional interest tobacco and nicotine product marketing across the U.S. and look forward to presenting an abstract titled “Differences in Exposure to Oral Nicotine Pouch Marketing in Appalachia” at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco in March 2024.
Q: What do you think is an emerging issue related to nicotine and tobacco?
A: I think novel nicotine products, such as oral nicotine pouches (ONPs), are interesting and represent a major shift by the tobacco industry to market non-tobacco nicotine products. ONPs are offered in a variety of flavors and like other flavored tobacco products, these are strategically marketed to appeal to youth and young adults. As a result, many states have introduced legislation to limit the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products. Locally, Columbus City Council has taken a progressive stance with regards to public health, particularly their decision to curb the appeal of tobacco products by banning all characterizing flavors within city limits.
Q: What advice or tips would you offer to new nicotine and tobacco researchers?
A: Future tobacco research needs innovative methods to counteract the way new tobacco and nicotine products are being marketed to youth and young adults. I would encourage new researchers to get creative with their research strategies!
Q: How did you first become interested in nicotine and tobacco research?
A: I worked in acute leukemia therapeutic clinical trials for 4+ years, during which time this research led to many new and needed FDA approved treatments. However, I wanted to get back to my public health roots and contribute to research aimed at preventing cancer before it starts. Despite many advances, to this day tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of cancer.
Q: Describe one of your projects related to nicotine and tobacco research and why you are proud of the project.
A: In 2022, we conducted 10 virtual focus groups tobacco users from Appalachia Ohio aged ≥21 to examine perceptions of risks and benefits, substitutability for cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, and oral nicotine pouch marketing. The results are published here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37903103/
I am proud of this study because we conducted this during the COVID-19 pandemic which presented a challenge to in-person research. At the time, there was little published about the use of virtual focus groups; however, we were resilient and innovative with our methods and successfully completed 10 virtual focus groups over zoom.
Q: What do you do in your spare time (what are your hobbies)?
A: I am a serial hobbyist and love learning new things. During the pandemic, I took up quilting and sewing. I have found that learning one new craft tends to lend itself to others. For example, after learning to quilt, I wanted a sewing table that allowed the machine to sit flush with the table and decided to make my own table which required learning woodworking skills and techniques. Outside of that, I also enjoy riding horses and spending time with my dog, Riley.