About Our Lab
REACH: Research and Education to Empower Adolescents and Young Adults to Choose Health
The Halpern-Felsher REACH lab studies developmental, cognitive, psychosocial, and cultural/social factors involved in adolescents' and young adults' health-related decision-making, perceptions of risk and vulnerability, health communication, and risk behavior. Our work particularly focuses on understanding and reducing adolescent and young adult substance use (including electronic cigarettes, cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana), risky sexual behavior, and risky driving. Our research uses a large number of methodological approaches, including longitudinal studies, online data collection methods, mixed qualitative and quantitative data, interview and focus group data, and survey data. We also develop, implement, and evaluate interventions, using pre-post tests and randomized control trials. Our research spans several age groups, including children, adolescents, young adults, and parents.
Our mission is to empower and promote adolescent and young adult health through collaborative research, education, and policy.
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, FSAHM (she/her)
Marron and Mary Elizabeth Kendrick Professor in Pediatrics II
Taube Endowed Research Faculty Scholar Professor (by courtesy), Epidemiology & Population Health; Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Director, Stanford REACH Lab
Director of Fellows’ Scholarship, Department of Pediatrics
Director of Research, Division of Adolescent Medicine
Co-leader, StAT Scholarly Concentration, Pediatrics Residency Program