Michael S. Businelle, PhD, is a Peggy and Charles Stephenson Endowed Chair in Cancer, Co-Director of the TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Co-Leader of the Stephenson Cancer Center (SCC) Cancer Prevention and Control Program, and Professor (tenured) in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at OUHSC. He is also the founding director of the SCC mHealth Shared Resource.
Over the past 11 years, Businelle's team has developed the Insight mHealth platform, which enables researchers to rapidly create mobile applications that can use EMA and sensor data to identify environmental, cognitive, affective, physiological, and behavioral antecedents of health risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, heavy alcohol use, poor diet / inactivity / obesity, etc.) and deliver context-specific just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAI) in real-time. To date, Insight has supported over 120 studies (over 60 with NIH funding) in five languages.
Businelle is currently PI/MPI on 4 ongoing NIH-funded studies including mHealth applications that focus on smoking cessation (R01CA315811; R01MD019957; R34CA286803), and alcohol cessation/reduction (R01AA030276). His primary goal is to create and disseminate effective smartphone based just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) that reduce health disparities.
Academic Section(s):
OUFMC Research Division
Education:
Degree-Granting Institutions
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, PhD, 2007, Clinical Psychology
Postgraduate Training
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Cancer Prevention Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007-2009
Clinical Psychology Resident, G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 2006-2007
Clinical/Research Interests:
- Development of Novel Tobacco Cessation Interventions for Underserved/Disadvantaged Populations (e.g., Homeless Adults, Uninsured)
- Using Technology to Identify Antecedents of Health Risk Behaviors
- Technology Supported Health Behavior Change Interventions
Funding:
CURRENT RESEARCH SUPPORT
Principal Investigator
1. R01CA315811 (PIs: Businelle & Neil)
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2031
A Novel Intervention to Increase Smoking Quit Attempts and Cessation among Adults Initially Unready to Quit.
This first-of-its-kind, innovative, and highly scalable smartphone-based intervention would offer a convenient and dynamic resource to induce cessation attempts and provide tailored support that is matched to participants’ current phase of the cessation process.
Total costs: $2,988,569
2. R01MD019957 (MPIs: Businelle, Garey)
09/23/2024 – 06/30/2029
National Test of a Culturally Tailored mHealth Integrated Smoking Cessation and Mental Health Intervention for Black Adults with HIV.
This study will test an innovative smoking cessation application for Black adults with HIV.
Total costs: $4,751,918
3. R34CA286803 (MPIs: Businelle, Garey, Sayette)
09/11/2024 – 08/31/2027
NIH/NCI
An Innovative Digitally-Delivered Olfactory Method for Reducing Cigarette Cravings and Supporting Smoking Cessation.
This study will test a first of its kind olfactory delivery device that aims to reduce nicotine cravings in adults attempting to quit smoking.
Total costs: $900,000
4. R01AA030276 (PIs: Businelle, Oliver, & Walters)
08/20/2024 – 04/30/2029
NIH/NIAAA
Efficacy of a Smartphone-Based Just-In-Time Adaptive Intervention to Reduce Drinking Among Adults Experiencing Homelessness.
This study will provide a rigorous efficacy test of the Smart-T alcohol app which is specifically designed to reduce drinking in adults experiencing homelessness.
Total costs: $3,264,979
5. TSET STCST00400_FY24 (PIs: Businelle & Kendzor)
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2029
Health Promotion Research Center.
This grant funds the Health Promotion Research Center that Drs. Businelle and Kendzor co-direct.
Total costs: $15,150,000 (Direct: $13,772,727)
Co-Investigator
6. R01CA299966 (MPIs: Alexander & Neil)
05/15/2026 – 04/30/2031
A randomized controlled trial on improving prostate cancer screening among Black men in Oklahoma using a community-based mHealth approach (Prostate Cancer Genius App).
This fully powered RCT will evaluate the Prostate Cancer Genius App's efficacy compared to the Prevention Taskforce App and usual care (UC) among 684 Black men aged 55–69 in Oklahoma who are not up to date with PSA screening. The study will evaluate PSA screening completion (primary outcome) and screening readiness (i.e., knowledge, intentions, motivation, self efficacy), diagnostic follow-up, treatment initiation, and satisfaction with care.
Total costs: $2,965,532
7. R01CA298165 (MPIs: Kendzor, Ahulwalia)
01/01/2025 – 12/31/2029
A Randomized Factorial Trial of Varenicline with Nicotine Lozenges and a Smartphone Medication Adherence Intervention to Promote Smoking Cessation.
This study will examine the effects of varenicline plus nicotine lozenges on biochemically verified smoking cessation relative to varenicline alone, compare the effects of a smartphone smoking cessation intervention app with medication adherence components to a smartphone cessation app with no adherence components, and 3) compare the influences of the medication and adherence interventions on weekly symptoms.
Total costs: $ 3,038,392
8. U01CA294811 (MPIs: Bui, Vidrine, & Xangsayarath)
08/12/2024 – 07/31/2029
NIH/NCI
Implementing Sustainable mobile health Technology to Optimize smoking cessation Program for Lao people with HIV (I-STOP).
The purpose of this study is to compare 2 smoking cessation implementation strategies in 8 antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics in the 5 most populous provinces/regions across Laos, using a hybrid type-2 pragmatic effectiveness-implementation study and a parallel cluster randomized trial design. Specifically, we will compare an Ask-Advice-Connect (AAC) approach paired with our previously developed mHealth automated tobacco treatment program to an AAC approach paired with less resource intensive printed self-help material.
Total costs: $3,187,275 (Direct: $2,720,795)
9. R01NR020997 (PI: Santa Maria)
09/21/2023 – 08/31/2027
NIH/NINR
Examining the Efficacy of MY-RIDE, a mHealth Intervention to Reduce HIV in Youth Experiencing Homelessness.
Building on the promising results of a pilot study with this population, we aim to fully test the efficacy of MY-RIDE on substance use and HIV prevention strategies. This mHealth approach sends timely, personalized HIV prevention messages at the time of heightened risk for engaging in HIV transmission behaviors.
OUHSC direct costs: $165,020 (total OUHSC costs: $239,280)
10. R01DA059471 (MPIs: Cropsey & Gamble)
09/18/2023 – 08/31/2027
NIH/NIDA
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder differentially modulate intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell function, sleep, and circadian rhythms: Implications for treatment.
This project will investigate a special set of photosensitive neurons in the retina as an underlying mechanism for circadian rhythm and sleep disturbance from opioid use and medications for OUD that could lead to novel interventions and improve treatment outcomes.
OUHSC direct costs: $126,048 (total costs: $182,769)
11. U01CA261598 (PIs: Bui & Vidrine)
09/17/2021 – 08/31/2026
NIH/NCI
Ending Tobacco Use through Interactive Tailored Messaging for Cambodian People Living with HIV/AIDS (EndIT).
Participants (n=800) will be randomized to one of 2 treatment groups: Standard Care (SC; n=400), or Automated Messaging (AM; n=400). SC consists of brief advice to quit smoking delivered by research staff, self-help written materials, and an 8-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the form of transdermal patches. The primary outcome is biochemically confirmed self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 12-months post-study enrollment.
Total cost: $3,541,404
12. P30 CA225520 (PI: Mannel; Businelle: Dir mHeath Shared Resource)
05/01/2018 – 04/30/2028
NIH/NCI
Stephenson Cancer Center – Cancer Center Support Grant.
Dr. Businelle is the Scientific Director of the NCI designated
Stephenson Cancer Center mHealth Shared Resource. The shared resource enables researchers to rapidly create mobile applications that identify environmental, cognitive, affective, physiological and behavioral antecedents of cancer risk behaviors (e.g., smoking, heavy alcohol use, poor diet, inactivity, obesity, etc.) and deliver context-specific adaptive interventions in real time.
Total Costs: $20,338,846 (Direct: $14,073,242)
Consultant
13. R01CA282223 (PI: Hoeppner)
08/03/2023 – 07/31/2028
NIH/NCI
Randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of a smartphone app for smoking cessation for nondaily smokers
This study will test the effectiveness of the Smiling instead of Smoking (SiS) app in a sample of nondaily smokers. Dr. Businelle will serve as a consultant on this innovative project.
14. U54MD015946A Pilot Award (MPIs: Garey & Fernandez)
08/09/2024 – 07/31/2026
NIH/NIMHD
Freedom to Reach Emotional Empowerment: An mHealth App for Black Women with HIV.
This study will test a novel, culturally sensitive mHealth app that aims to improve the health of Black women with HIV by increasing access to mental health treatment and offering support and encouragement for maintaining HIV care.
Mentor
15. K01AA0033123 (PI: Marcantonio)
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2031
A daily diary assessment of polysubstance use and communication among young adults.
This project will use a daily diary design to examine how alcohol, cannabis, and simultaneous alcohol and cannabis expectancies and alcohol and cannabis use interact to affect romantic communication for young adults - with the goal of informing substance-related sexual violence prevention efforts.
Total costs: $858,252
Role: Co-Mentor
16. K01DA063913 (PI Lyu)
05/01/2026 – 04/30/2031
Integrating peer mentoring into social media-based vaping cessation interventions for young adults.
This project will conduct pilot randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of integrating peer mentoring into social media–based e-cigarette cessation interventions for young adults, with the goal of improving participant engagement and enhancing intervention efficacy.
Total costs: $1,000,867
Role: Primary Mentor
17. K99/R00 DA054255 (PI: Ra)
07/01/2024 – 06/20/2029
NIH/NIDA
Using Mobile Technology to Examine Mechanisms Linking Sleep and Smoking Cessation.
Direct costs (initial year): $98,745
Role: Mentor
18. K23AA030804 (PI: Redmond)
09/20/2023 – 08/31/2028
Latinx Hazardous Drinkers: Evaluating Microaggressions.
This work will provide a nuanced approach to examining minority stress and hazardous drinking among Latinx individuals and poses a highly unique training opportunity.
Total costs: $937,710 (Direct costs: $868,250)
Role: Co-Mentor
19. K08CA266937 (PI: Azizoddin)
07/01/2022 – 06/30/2027
NIH/NCI (NCI)
Integrating pain-CBT into an mHealth analgesic support intervention for patients with chronic pain from advanced cancers.
This study seeks to improve cancer patients’ pain self-management by adapting and integrating cognitive behavioral therapy for pain into an existing mHealth intervention designed to optimize pharmacologic management (e.g., daily pain/opioid monitoring and tailored advice) for patients with advanced cancer.
Total costs: $958,425 (Direct costs: $$887,753)
Role: Co-Mentor
20. K01DA054262 (PI: Gajos)
04/01/2022 – 03/31/2027
NIH/NIDA
Momentary Geospatial, Psychological, and Behavioral Risk for Substance Use in Young Adults Under Criminal Justice Supervision.
This project investigates substance use risk with geographically-explicit ecological momentary assessment data and risk terrain modeling to develop a just-in-time adaptive intervention to reduce substance use in young adults enrolled in drug treatment court.
Total costs: $841,563
Role: Co-Mentor
21. K99DA054260 (PI: Brett)
07/01/2022 – 06/30/2024
NIH-NIDA
Development of a Mobile Health Intervention for Electronic Cigarette Use among Young Adults.
This study seeks to develop and test a mobile health intervention for young adults who use electronic cigarettes or are dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes leveraging evidence-based smoking cessation materials and pharmacotherapy along with qualitative feedback.
Total costs (K99 period only): $345,556
Role: Co-Mentor
22. K23DA063870 (PI: Kaye)
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2030
NIH/NIDA
Machine learning approaches to personalized cigarette smoking risk prediction in adults trying to quit.
This study will generate new knowledge about how to predict near and long-term abstinence outcomes and inform hypotheses about when, how, and for whom to deliver personalized interventions to people trying to quit smoking in future digital and non-digital intervention approaches.
Total costs: $697,285
Role: Co-Mentor
23. K23DA062104 (PI: Tonkin)
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2030
NIH/NIDA
A translational evaluation of depressive symptomology and smoking cessation treatment mechanisms for just-in-time-adaptive-interventions
This K23 award will evaluate JITAI treatment mechanisms for smoking cessation in adults with and without elevated depressive symptoms and examine attenuation of treatment efficacy and mechanisms associated with positive and negative valenence system processes.
Total costs: $697,285
Role: Primary Mentor
24. K01DA060986 (PI: Charron)
06/01/2025 – 05/31/2030
NIH/NIDA
Postpartum Recovery from Opioid Use Disorder through Daily Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (PROUD2ACT).
This K01 Career Development Award will adapt an existing evidence-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy just-in-time adaptive intervention for use with postpartum individuals with opioid use disorder and conduct a pilot micro-randomized trial to test the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a full-scale micro-randomized trial to optimize the adaptive intervention.
Total costs: $872,234
Role: Primary Mentor
Select Publications:
- *Langford, JS, *Hébert, E, Kendzor, D, Chen, M, Vidrine, D, & Businelle, M. (2025). Detecting imminent smoking lapse risk: Prospective lapse risk algorithm versus participant retrospective self-report. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 276, 112873.
- *Hébert, ET, Kendzor, DE, Vidrine, DJ, *Langford, JS, Kezbers, KM, Montgomery, A, Chen, M, Frank-Pearce, SG, Vesely, SK, Chen, S, Barrett, ZCW, & Businelle, MS. (2025). A just-in-time adaptive intervention for smoking cessation in low-income adults. JAMA Network Open, 8, e2526691.
- Kezbers, KM, Robertson, MC, *Hébert, ET, *Montgomery, A, & Businelle, MS. (2025). Detecting deception and ensuring data integrity in a nationwide mHealth randomized controlled trial: Factorial design survey study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e66384.
- Businelle, MS, *Hébert, ET, Shi, D, *Benson, L, Kezbers, KM, *Tonkin, S, Piper, ME, & Qian, T. (2024). Investigating Best Practices for Ecological Momentary Assessment: Nationwide Factorial Experiment. JMIR, 26, e50275.
- Businelle, M (co-first author), *Becerra, J (co-first author), Witten, C, Chen, S, Kezbers, K, Beebe, L, & Kendzor, DE. (2024). Smartphone-based smoking cessation intervention (OKquit) for Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline users: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 13, e56827.
- Businelle, MS, *Benson, L, *Hébert, ET, Neil, J, Kendzor, DE, Frank-Pearce, S, Kezbers, KM, Vidrine, D, & Gaur, A. (2024). Project Phoenix: Pilot randomized controlled trial of a smartphone-delivered intervention for people who are not ready to quit smoking. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 260, 111351.
- Businelle, MS, Perski, O, *Hébert, ET, & Kendzor, DE. (2024). Mobile health interventions for substance use disorders. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 20, 49-76.
- Tonkin, S, Kezbers, K, Noble, B, Cropsey, K, Kendzor, D, Oliver, J, & Businelle, M. (2023). Comparison of the Bluetooth iCOquit, piCO, and Vitalograph for the assessment of breath carbon monoxide among adults initiating smoking cessation and standardized canisters. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 250, 110902.
- Thrul, J, Howe, CL, Devkota, J, Alexander, A, Allen, AM, Businelle, MS, Hébert, ET, Heffner, JL, Kendzor, DE, Ra, CK, & Gordon, JS. (2023). A scoping review and meta-analysis of the use of remote biochemical verification methods of smoking status in tobacco research. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 25, 1413-1423.
- Garey, L, Zvolensky, MJ, Gallagher, MW, Vujanovic, A, Kendzor, DE, Stephens, L, Cheney, MK, Cole, AB, Kezbers, K, Matoska, CT, Robison, J, Montgomery, A, Zappi, CV, & Businelle, MS. (2022). A smartphone-based intervention for anxiety and depression in racially and ethnically diverse adults (EASE): Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR: Research Protocols, 11, e40713.
- Walters, ST, Mun, E-Y, Tan, Z, Luningham, JM, Hébert, ET, Oliver, JA, & Businelle, MS. (2022). Development and preliminary effectiveness of a smartphone-based just-in-time adaptive intervention for adults with alcohol misuse who are experiencing homelessness. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 46, 1732-1741.
- Kendzor, DE, Businelle, MS, Vidrine, DJ, Frank-Pearce, SG, Shih, YCT, Dallery, J, Alexander, AC, Boozary, LK, Waring, JJC, & Ehlke, SJ. (2022). Mobile contingency management for smoking cessation among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults: Protocol for a randomized trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 114, 106701.
- Perski, O, Hébert, E, Naughton, F, Hekler, E, Brown, J, & Businelle, M. (2022). Technology-mediated just-in-time adaptive interventions (JITAIs) to reduce harmful substance use: A systematic review. Addiction, 117, 1220-1241.
- Hébert, ET, Ra, CK, Alexander, AC, Helt, A, Moisiuc, R, Kendzor, DE, Vidrine, DJ, Funk-Lawler, RK., & Businelle, MS. (2020). A mobile just-in-time adaptive intervention for smoking cessation: pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(3), e16907. PMCID: 7091024.
More research publications
Businelle Lab
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