Mariel Bello, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Cancer Focus
My primary cancer-related research interests involve investigating the social-contextual and behavioral mechanisms underlying tobacco use and cessation to inform equitable prevention and intervention efforts that reduce tobacco-related cancer disparities.
Research Program
Research Interest
My research examines how social, contextual, and other factors make it harder for some groups to quit smoking, with the goal of developing equitable strategies to help people quit and reduce tobacco-related cancer risk.
Positions and Scientific Appointments
2025-Present: Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
2025-Present: Psychologist, Center for Drug & Alcohol Programs, Medical University of South Carolina
2024-2025: Postdoctoral Research Associate (NIDA K99 DA060983), Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health
2023-2024: Clinician, Vista Clinical Research Group, Bradley Hospital
2022-2024: Postdoctoral Research Fellow (NIDA T32 DA016184), Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University School of Public Health
2021-2022: Clinical Psychology Intern, Alpert Medical School of Brown University
2019-2020: Psychology Extern, LAC+USC Regional Burn Center
2018-2021: Clinical Psychology Extern, Keck School of Medicine of USC Neurology Clinic
2017-2020: NSF Predoctoral Fellow (NSF DGE-1418060), University of Southern California
2016-2022: Graduate Student Researcher, University of Southern California
2015-2016: Project Specialist (ACS RSG-13-163-01), Keck School of Medicine of USC
2013-2015: Project Assistant (ACS RSG-13-163-01; TRDRP 22FT-0062; NIDA R21 DA034768), Keck School of Medicine of USC
2012-2013: TRiO Scholars Academic Tutor and Mentor, University of California, Riverside
2011-2013: Research Assistant, University of California, Riverside
2011-2013: Founder and President of Healing Highlanders, University of California, Riverside
Education
NIDA Postdoctoral
August 2025
Addiction Science
Brown University School of Public Health, Center for Alcohol & Addiction Studies
PhD
August 2022
Clinical Science
University of Southern California
Internship
July 2022
Clinical Psychology
Alpert Medical School of Brown University
NSF Predoctoral
June 2020
Addiction Science
University of Southern California
MA
December 2017
Psychology
University of Southern California
BS
June 2013
Psychology
University of California, Riverside