Neo Gebru, Ph.D.

Lab Director

He/Him/His

Nioud (Neo) Gebru, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Family Medicine in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. Dr. Gebru is a behavioral scientist with a focus on developing and testing digital tools and technologies to support mental health and well-being. His program of research particularly focuses on testing (1) theories (e.g., behavioral economics theory, construal level theory) and (2) technology (e.g., text messaging) together to better understand what drives behaviors like addiction and how we can better support individuals and communities affected by substance use and HIV.

Dr. Gebru earned his bachelor’s and master’s in psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, his PhD in Health Behavior from the University of Florida, and completed postdoctoral training at the Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. He is currently based at Emory, in Atlanta, serving as Director of the Basic and Applied Addictions Research (BAAR) laboratory, where he is building a career dedicated to transforming addictions and mental health treatment and to mentoring the next generation of scientists.

George Adae-Mensah

Graduate Research Assistant

He/Him/His

George Adae-Mensah is a current first-year Master of Public Health Student at Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. He is in the Health Policy & Management (HPM) Department on the Policy Track and is also working towards earning a certificate in Social Determinants of Health. George earned his bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Health & Society with a concentration in Health Sciences and Behaviors from Vanderbilt University and is interested in combining his passion to serve underrepresented communities with policy.

George is open to roles and experiences within Health Policy and Advocacy, Health Administration, and Health Services Research.