Veena Rings, BA
Clinical Research Assistant
The Ohio State University
Q: Please describe your current position and research interests.
A: As a Clinical Research Assistant in Dr. Alayna Tackett’s Lab, I am responsible for leading various aspects of ongoing studies. I help determine participant eligibly, schedule clinical study visits, provide informed consent, and run study visits to collect data for analysis. So far, I have worked on multiple studies: a remote longitudinal study examining young adult e-cigarette use and respiratory outcomes; a pilot study investigating synthetic cooling agents in combustible cigarettes; and currently, a study on the perceptions of synthetic cooling agents in e-cigarettes. All these studies were and are specific to the young adult age group, and I am interested in continuing to work with this population as e-cigarette use among youth and young adults remains a public health issue.
Q: What do you think is an emerging issue related to nicotine and tobacco?
A: Tobacco companies continually outpace governmental regulations by introducing new products/additives/alterations, like synthetic nicotine and synthetic cooling agents. Tobacco companies have often exploited regulatory gaps by developing new products faster than rules can be enforced. For instance, synthetic cooling agents are likely used to mimic the menthol experience without a characterizing flavors, and thus may circumvent potential menthol or flavor restriction policies. As tobacco companies innovate to evade restrictions, the FDA frequently finds itself playing catch-up, struggling to close loopholes and enforce regulations effectively, particularly in the fast-moving e-cigarette market. This delay in regulatory response poses challenges for public health, especially as these products continue to appeal to younger populations.
Q: What advice or tips would you offer to new nicotine and tobacco researchers?
A: My advice to future nicotine and tobacco researchers is to stay up to date with the latest products and policies, including local regulations. Just here in Columbus, flavor regulations have flipped back and forth! Staying up to date with new nicotine products and policies is crucial, as new products continue to be introduced. Understanding regulatory changes, such as FDA rulings or local tobacco control policies, is important for understanding how these products are governed and their implications on public health. Staying up to date with product developments and policy updates allows researchers to provide relevant insights, assess emerging risks, and advocate for effective harm reduction strategies.
Q: How did you first become interested in nicotine and tobacco research?
A: My academic background may seem a little bit random to researchers, as I studied International Studies and Spanish in college. However, through my undergraduate experiences, I worked closely with medically underserved communities and became interested in preventative medicine. Historically, tobacco companies have targeted low-income and other vulnerable communities, so it is my hope that our work can help prevent youth and young adults in some of these populations from using these products.
Q: Describe one of your projects related to nicotine and tobacco research and why you are proud of the project.
A: While I was conducting qualitative interviews as a part of a longitudinal remote study, many participants spoke about co-use of e-cigarettes with multiple other substances (i.e. cannabis and alcohol) as well as how e-cigarettes were used as a coping mechanism of sorts. I became interested in the relationship between the co- and poly-use of multiple products and mental health outcomes, and decided to investigate this topic further. Using questionnaire data from that same study, I submitted my first, first-authored abstract to the Society of Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), and I hope to have a more detailed manuscript published soon!
Q: What do you do in your spare time (what are your hobbies)?
A: In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends in family. I love traveling and exploring new cities, especially trying out different cuisines and discovering local food and coffee spots. I also enjoy reading or practicing yoga to unwind, and I love cooking and baking, always looking for new recipes to experiment with in the kitchen. I used to be into pottery and crocheting and am hoping to get back into these soon!