Ashley Dowd, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Cancer Focus
My primary cancer focus is behavioral cancer prevention, particularly reducing tobacco-related cancer risk by examining nicotine/tobacco cessation, harm-reduction strategies, and the influence of cannabis co-use on cessation outcomes.
Research Program
Research Interest
My research focuses on understanding how and why people use nicotine, tobacco, and cannabis products, including how the use of one substance may affect the use of another. I study strategies to help people reduce or stop tobacco use.
Positions and Scientific Appointments
2026-Present: Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC
2024-2026: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Addiction Services Division, MUSC (Research Mentors: Erin McClure, Ph.D. and Aimee McRae-Clark, Pharm.D.)
2023-2024: Clinician, Addiction Treatment Services, JHU (Supervisor: Michael Kidorf, Ph.D.)
2022-2024: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, BPRU, JHU (PIs: Tory Spindle, Ph.D. and Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D.)
2020-2021: Clinical Psychology Intern, Addictions and Substance Abuse Program, University of New Mexico School of Medicine
2019: Student Clinician, Forensic Services, EC Holding Center (Supervisor: Daniel Antonius, Ph.D.)
2019-2020: Student Clinician, Adolescent Inpatient Unit, ECMC (Supervisor: Sarah Taber-Thomas, Ph.D.)
2018-2019: Student Clinician, Inpatient Chemical Dependency Services, Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) (Supervisor: Jennifer Read, Ph.D.)
2017-2020: Tobacco Cessation Group Leader, Psychological Services Center, UB (Supervisor: Stephen Tiffany, Ph.D.)
Education
Postdoctoral
July 2026
Addiction Sciences
Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC)
Postdoctoral
February 2024
Behavior Pharmacology
John Hopkins University (JHU)
PhD
February 2022
Clinical Psychology
SUNY, University at Buffalo (UB)
Internship
May 2021
Substance Use
University of New Mexico
MA
August 2019
Clinical Psychology
SUNY, University at Buffalo (UB)
BA
December 2014
Psychology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)