Faculty Research and Clinical Expertise

Research: Substance use epidemiology and treatment outcomes, application of longitudinal statistical methods to health research. Recent projects have focused on patterns and correlates of methamphetamine (meth) use and treatment outcomes and HIV risk behaviors for meth users. Other past projects have included needs assessment (for substance abuse treatment, for training among service providers related to problem gambling), evaluation of treatment for drug abuse, substance use prevalence estimation, community indicators of drug abuse problems

Statistical expertise: multivariate statistical methods, especially for longitudinal studies 

Education

Stanford University, BS, Statistics

Stanford University, MA, Education

UCLA, PhD, Research Methods (Education)

Professional Activities

Member, American Statistical Association

Site representative for Los Angeles County, NIDA National Drug Early Warning System

Publications (Recent)

Hamilton, N., Marquez-Garban, D., Rogers, B., Austin, D., Foos, K., Tong, A., Adams, D., Vadgama, J., Brecht, M.-L., & Pietras, R. (2019) Dual therapy with insulin-like growth factor-I receptor/insulin receptor (IGF1R/IR) and androgen receptor (AR) antagonists inhibits triple-negative breast cancer cell migration in vitro. SPG Biomed. Available online 5/10/19.

Salem, B., Brecht, M.-L., Ekstrand, M., Turner, S., Faucette, M., Nyamathi, A. (2019) Correlates of physical, psychological, and social frailty among formerly incarcerated homeless women. Healthcare for Women International. Epub ahead of print. PMID:30901288.

Al-Hashmi, I., Hodge, F., Nandy, K., Thomas, E., Brecht, M.-L. (2018). The effect of a self-efficacy-enhancing intervention on perceived self-efficacy and actual adherence to health behaviours among women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 18(4), e513-519.

Black, A., McMahon, T., Brecht, M.-L., & Rosen, M. (2018) Tailoring and testing an event history calendar of lifetime sexual partnerships for military veterans. Military Psychology. Published online 8/3/18.

Zhang, C., Li, X., Brecht, M.-L., Koniak-Griffin, D. (2017) Can self-testing increase HIV testing among men who have sex with men: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoSOne. 12(11) PMID:2919079.

Hser, Y.-I., Li, M.D., Grella, C., Brecht M.-L. Chen, Z., Chang, S.-L., Chang, L., Normand, J., Tai, B..  (2017) The 2017 CALDAR Summer Institute and International Conference Promoting Global Health-Precision Research in Substance Abuse, HIV, and Care. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. 12(Suppl 2) ,79-80.

Heilemann, M.V., Soderlund, P.D., Kehoe, P., Brecht, M.-L. (2017) A transmedia storytelling intervention with interactive elements to benefit Latinas' mental health: feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy. JMIR Mental Health, 4(4) e47. PMCID:PMC5668652.

Al-Hemiery, N., Dabbagh, R., Hashim, M.T., Al-Hasnawi, S., Abutiheen, A., Abdulghani, E.A., Al-Diwan, J.K., Kak, N., Al Mossawi, H., Maxwell, J.C., Brecht, M.-L., Antonini, V., Hasson, A., Rawson, R.A. (2017) Self-reported substance use in Iraq: findings from the Iraqi National Household Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use, 2014. Addiction. 112, 1470-1479.  PMID:28238214.

Salem, B., Ma-Pham, J., Chen, S., Brecht, M.-L., Antonio, A.L., Ames, M. (2017) Impact of a community-based frailty intervention among middle-aged and older prefrail and frail homeless women: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Community Mental Health Journal. 53,688-694. PMCID:PMC5657482.

Glasner-Edwards, Mooney, L., Ang, A., Garneau, H., Hartwell, E., Brecht, M.-L., Rawson, R. (2017) Mindfulness based relapse prevention for stimulant dependent adults: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Mindfulness. 8, 126-135. PMCID:PMC5300086.

Iqbal, Z., Wilson, N.E., Keller, M.A., Michalik, D.E., Church, J.A., Nielsen-Saines, K., Deville, J., Souza, R., Brecht, M.-L., Thomas, M.A. (2017) Pilot assessment of brain metabolism in perinatally HIV-infected youths using accelerated 5D echo planar J-resolved spectroscopic imaging. PLoS One. 11:e0162810. PMCID:PMC5021365.

Lee, E., Brecht, M.-L., Park, H., Lee., J., Oh, K. (2017) Web-based study for improving mammography among Korean American Women. Cancer Education. 32, 267-273. PMID:26423058.

Glasner-Edwards, S., Hartwell, E., Mooney, L., Ang, A., Garneau, H., Brecht M.-L. & Rawson, R. (2016) Changes in stress reactivity among stimulant dependent adults after treatment with mindfulness based relapse prevention: Results from a pilot randomized clinical trial. Journal of Addiction Research and Therapy. 7, PMCID:1000298.

Davis, C., Myers, H., Nyamathi, A., Lewis, M., & Brecht, M.-L. (2016) The meaning of survivorship as defined by African American breast cancer survivors. Journal of Transcultural Nursing. 27, 277-285 PMID:25480269.

Herbeck, D., Brecht, M-L, & Lovinger, K. (2015). Mortality, causes of death and health status among methamphetamine users. Journal of Addictive Diseases. 34, 88-100. PMCID PMC4684255.

Koniak-Griffin, D., Brecht, M.-L., Takayanagi, S., Villegas, J., Melendrez, M., & Balcazar, H. (2015) A community health worker-led lifestyle behavior intervention for Latina (Hispanic) women: Feasibility and outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 52, 75-87. PMCID: PMC4277872.

Koniak-Griffin, D., & Brecht, M-L. (2015). Awareness of heart disease and preventive behaviors among overweight immigrant Latinas. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. 30, 447-455. PMCID: PMC4312257.

FitzGerald, L., Macey, P., Brecht, M.-L. (2014) Personality, sex and systemic inflammation. Psychology. 5, 1055-1064. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/psych.2014.59118.

Koniak-Griffin, D., Brecht, M.-L., Takayanagi, S., Villegas, J., & Melendrez, M. (2014) Physical activity and cardiometabolic characteristics in overweight Latina women. Journal of Immigrant Health.16, 856-864 PMCID:PMC3758377.

Davis, C., Myers, H., Nyamath, A., Brecht, M.-L., Lewis, M., & Hamilton, N. (2014) Bio-psychosocial predictors of psychological functioning among African American breast cancer survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. 32, 493-516. PMID:24987999.

Woods, D.L,, Yefimova, M. & Brecht, M.-L. (2014) A method for measuring person-centered interventions: detecting and characterizing complex behavioral symptoms of persons with dementia. Clinical Gerontologist. 37, 139-150.

Nosyk, B., Li, L., Evans, E., Huang, D., Min, J., Kerr, T., Brecht, M.-L., Hser, Y.-I. (2014) Characterizing longitudinal health state transitions among heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine users.  Drug & Alcohol Dependence. 140, 69-77. PMID: 24837584.

Herbeck, D., Brecht, M.-L., Christou, D., & Lovinger, K. (2014) A qualitative study of methamphetamine users’ perspectives on barriers and facilitators of drug abstinence. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 46, 215-225. PMCID:PMC4122259.

Brecht,  M.-L. & Herbeck, D. (2014) Pregnancy and fetal loss reported by methamphetamine-using women. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment. 8, 25-33. PMCID: PMC4011724.

Brecht,  M.-L., & Herbeck, D. (2014) Time to relapse following treatment for methamphetamine use: a long-term perspective. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 139, 18-25. PMCID: PMC4550209.

Mooney, L., Cooper, C., London, E., Chudzynski, J., Dolezal, B., Dickerson, D., Brecht, M.L., Penante, J., Rawson, R. (2014) Exercise for methamphetamine dependence: rationale, design, and methodology. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 37, 139-147. PMCID: in process.

Salem, B., Nyamathi, A., Phillips, L. Mentes, J., Sarkisian, C., & Brecht, M.-L. (2014) Development of a frailty framework among vulnerable populations. Advances in Nursing Science, 37, 70-81. PMCID: PMC4162317.

Salem, B., Nyamathi, A., Brecht, M.-L., Phillips, L. Mentes, J., Sarkisian, C., & Stein, J. (2014) Constructing and identifying predictors of frailty among homeless adults. Archives of Geriatrics & Gerontology, 58, 248-256. PMCID:PMC4005873.

Herbeck, D., Brecht, M.-L., Lovinger, K., Raihan, A., Christou, D., & Sheaff, P. (2013) Poly-drug and marijuana use among adults who primarily used methamphetamine. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 45: 132-140. PMCID: PMC3566664.

Salem, B., Nyamathi, A., Brecht, M.-L., Phillips, L. Mentes, J., Sarkisian, C., & Leake, B. (2013) Correlates of frailty among homeless adults. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 35: 1128-1152. PMCID:PMC3759620.

Brecht, M.-L. & Herbeck, D. Methamphetamine use and violent behavior: user perceptions and predictors. (2013) Journal of Drug Issues. 43, 468-482. PMCID: PMC4651438.

Spear, S., Crevecoeur-MacPhail, D., Denering, L.,  Dickerson, D., & Brecht, M.-L. (2013) Determinants of successful treatment outcomes among a sample of urban American Indians/Alaska Natives: the role of social environments. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research. 40:330-341. PMCID: PMC3679257.

Nosyk, B., Anglin, M.D., Brecht, M.-L., Lima, V., & Hser, Y.-H. (2013) Characterizing durations of heroin abstinence in the Civil Addict Program: Results from a 33-year follow-up study. American Journal of Epidemiology. 177:675-682. PMCID: PMC3657532.

Rawson, R., Rataemane, S.,  Rataemane, L., Ntlhe, N., Sodano Fox, R., McCuller, J., & Brecht, M.-L.  (2013) Dissemination and implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy for stimulant dependence: a randomized trial comparison of three approaches. Substance Abuse. 34:108-117. PMCID: PMC3625982.

Farabee, D., McCann, M., Brecht, M.-L., Cousins, S., Pearce, V.,  Lee, A., Hemberg, J., Karno, M., & Rawson, R. (2013) An analysis of relapse prevention factors and their ability to predict sustained abstinence following treatment completion. American Journal on Addictions. 22: 206-211. PMID: 23617860 PMCID: in process.

Farabee, D., Cousins, S., Brecht, M.-L., Antonini, V., Lee, A., Brummer, J., Hemberg, J., Karno, M., & Rawson, R. (2013) A comparison of four telephone-based counseling styles for recovering stimulant users. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. 27: 223-229. PMCID: PMC3500433.

Evans, E., Li, L., Grella, C., Brecht, M.-L., & Hser, Y.-I. (2013) Developmental timing of first drug treatment and subsequent 10-year patterns of drug use. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 44: 271-279. PMCID: PMC3519944.

Brecht, M.-L., Lovinger, K., Herbeck, D., & Urada, D. (2013) Patterns of treatment utilization and methamphetamine use during first ten years after methamphetamine initiation. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 44: 548-556. PMCID: PMC3602162.

Herbeck, D. & Brecht, M.-L. (2013) Substance use and mental health characteristics associated with cognitive functioning among adults who use methamphetamine. Journal of Addictive Diseases. 32, 11-25. PMCID: PMC3601587.

Herbeck, D., Brecht, M.-L., &  Pham, A. (2013). Racial/ethnic differences in health status and morbidity among adults who use methamphetamine. Psychology, Health, & Medicine, 18, 262-274.  DOI:10.1080/13548506.2012.701754. PMCID: PMC3644375.