Melissa Tibbits, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

University of Nebraska Medical Center
College of Public Health

Professional Summary

Before joining the faculty at UNMC, Dr. Tibbits completed a NIDA-funded National Research Service Award (NRSA) pre-doctoral fellowship at the Penn State Prevention Research Center. There she trained with experts in the areas of adolescent development, methodology, and the prevention of risky substance use and sexual behaviors in adolescence. Most recently she worked on the HealthWise South Africa substance abuse and HIV prevention efficacy trial and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s Research-Based Delinquency and Violence Prevention Initiative.      

Dr. Tibbits’ research interests center on the prevention of substance abuse and risky sexual behaviors among adolescents. She is especially interested in developing and working with existing programs that utilize structured, adult-guided free time activities to promote positive youth development, as well as consulting with schools and communities concerning the adoption, implementation, evaluation, and sustainability of preventive interventions.

Courses Taught

Dr. Tibbits has taught courses on the elements of effective preventive interventions and looks forward to developing and teaching courses in the areas of substance abuse prevention and adolescent health.

Education

• Ph.D., Human Development & Family Studies - The Pennsylvania State University, 2009
• M.S., Human Development & Family Studies - The Pennsylvania State University, 2006
• B.A., Anthropology and Psychology - The University of Tulsa, 2004

Selected Publications

• Caldwell, L.L., & Tibbits, M.K. (in press). Leisure as a context for prevention. In Payne, L., B.E. Ainsworth, & G. Godbey, Leisure, health, & wellness. State College: Venture Publishing.
• Tibbits, M.K., Caldwell, L.L., & Smith, E.A, Wegner, L. (in press). The relation between profiles of leisure activity participation and substance use among South African youth. The World Leisure Journal. 
• Syvertsen, A. K., Cleveland, M. J., Gayles, J. G., Tibbits, M. K., & Faulk, M. T. (accepted). Profiles of protection from substance use among adolescents. Prevention Science.

Professional Affiliations

• American Public Health Association
• Society for Prevention Research
• Society for Research on Adolescence