< Researchers

Alicia Allen, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Director of National Center for Opioid and Addiction Research and Clinical Effectiveness (NCOAR), Arkansas Children’s Research Institute; Pamela D. Stephens Endowed Chair in Maternal and Fetal Health Research, Arkansas Children’s; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Alicia Allen, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Research Overview

Alicia M. Allen, Ph.D., M.P.H. is a behavioral epidemiologist whose research focuses on understanding the biological, behavioral and social factors that influence substance misuse and recovery, with a particular emphasis on women and families during reproductive and caregiving periods. Her work examines how female-specific factors (such as the menstrual cycle, perinatal period and hormonal contraceptive use) shape substance use behaviors, craving and risk for return to substance misuse.

Dr. Allen’s work emphasizes innovative and accessible research designs that enable participation from individuals who may otherwise be difficult to reach in traditional clinic-based studies. Her studies frequently incorporate ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to capture real-time experiences of craving, mood, stress and behavior in daily life. She has also advanced the use of remote biological data collection, including self-collected dried blood spots and other biospecimens, allowing for the measurement of hormones and biomarkers outside of clinical settings. These approaches support fully remote or hybrid study designs, expanding the reach of substance misuse research while improving rigor and validity.

As the director of NCOAR, Dr. Allen leads efforts to advance rigorous, innovative research that improves the health and well-being of children and families affected by opioid and substance misuse.

Featured Publications 

  • Allen AM, Linde-Krieger LB, Baurley J, Deschenes J, Mallahan S, Anderson A, Tecot S, Rankin L. (2026). Infant caregiving, relational factors, mood, and pain in perinatal opioid use disorder: A prospective cohort with ecological momentary assessment. Addictive Behaviors: 108639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.10863.
  • Allen AM, Bueno Y, Mallahan S, MacPherson AH, Armin J. (2023). Opportunities to expand postpartum support for those in recovery from opioid use disorder: Results form a qualitative study. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports; 7: 100171 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2023.100170.
  • Allen AM, Jung AM, Alexander AC, Allen SS, Ward KD, al’Absi M. (2020). Cannabis use and stressful life events during the perinatal period: Cross-sectional results form Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data, 2016. Addiction; 115:1707-1716. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15003
  • Allen AM, Weinberger AH, Wetherill RR, Howe CL, McKee SA. (2019). Oral contraceptives and cigarette smoking: A review of the literature and future directions. Nicotine and Tobacco Research; 21: 592-601. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntx258
  • Allen AM, McRae-Clark AL, Carlson S, Saladin ME, Gray KM, Wetherington CL, McKee SA, Allen SS. (2016). Determining menstrual phase in human biobehavioral research: A review with recommendations. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology; 24: 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000057.

For additional publications, see: