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Ezemenari Obasi

Professor & Associate Dean of Research
Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences
Fellows
Leadership
photo of Ezemenari Obasi
Research Interests
Dr. Obasi has a current program of research that focuses on the neurobiology of stress, addictions, health disparities that disproportionately affect the African American community, and cultural predictors of health behaviors.
Lab
Hwemudua Addictions and Health Disparities Laboratory (HAHDL)
Email
emobasi@uh.edu
Phone
713-743-4698
Office Location
Farish 466G

Publications

News

Improving Access to Care: UH Study Explores Telemedicine’s Impact on Opioid Use Disorder Patients
Improving Access to Care: UH Study Explores Telemedicine’s Impact on Opioid Use Disorder Patients
When University of Houston’s Dr. Omolola Adepoju delivered her third son who was a premature baby,…
HEALTH Research Institute’s Hinal Patel Honored with DOR Staff Excellence Award
HEALTH Research Institute’s Hinal Patel Honored with DOR Staff Excellence Award
Two years ago, when HEALTH Research Institute’s Hinal Patel was first asked to join the HEALTH–FAST…
Staying Resilient in Times of Trauma: One-on-One with PTSD Expert, Dr. Anka Vujanovic
Staying Resilient in Times of Trauma: One-on-One with PTSD Expert, Dr. Anka Vujanovic
Facing a deluge of stressors in their post-pandemic reality, Americans have reported their highest…
UH Researcher Shares Her Vision for Purpose-Driven Research on Syrian Refugee Communities
UH Researcher Shares Her Vision for Purpose-Driven Research on Syrian Refugee Communities
For more than 12 years, the Syrian people have struggled to survive in a war zone, after the…
UH Researcher Dr. Chitrala Explores Root Causes of Breast Cancer Health Disparities at Cell Level
UH Researcher Dr. Chitrala Explores Root Causes of Breast Cancer Health Disparities at Cell Level
It’s a jarring reality in the U.S. that health disparities significantly impact disease differences…
UH Patient-Centered Intervention Promises to Improve Medication Adherence for Breast Cancer Patients
UH Patient-Centered Intervention Promises to Improve Medication Adherence for Breast Cancer Patients
While the concept of medication adherence can be complex, there are several pivotal reasons why…
Making the World a Better Place: The Importance of Leadership with HEALTH-RCMI's Student Cadre
Making the World a Better Place: The Importance of Leadership with HEALTH-RCMI's Student Cadre
Empathy, creativity, and critical thinking are the indelible roots of early leadership which must…
$3.5M National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Award for Dr. Anka Vujanovic
$3.5M National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Award for Dr. Anka Vujanovic
Struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
can be a difficult, debilitating…
HEALTH Research Institute’s Dr. Ashika Brinkley
Leading with Team Science Perspective: HEALTH Research Institute’s Dr. Ashika Brinkley focuses on empowering multi-disciplinary teams at University of Houston
It takes resilience and strength to finesse courage when faced with difficult challenges in life.…
“Research Has Always Been My Love” Dr. Nancy Herrera paves new pathways for Latinx voices
“Research Has Always Been My Love” Dr. Nancy Herrera paves new pathways for Latinx voices
When Dr. Nancy Herrera first discovered she was selected for a postdoctoral fellowship with HEALTH-…
HEALTH Research Institute launches H-Town CHAT
HEALTH Research Institute launches H-Town CHAT community forums to understand health disparities
Nearly three years into COVID-19 pandemic, the looming threat of yet another highly contagious…
“It’s a calling of the heart”
“It’s a calling of the heart”: New facility expansion for those struggling with alcohol addiction
It is a rare gift when a career path mirrors a “true calling” from the heart. Yet, for HEALTH-RCMI…
UH Researchers Helping Black Smokers with HIV
UH Researchers Helping Black Smokers with HIV
Lorra Garey Awarded $1.3M Grant from National Institute on Drug Abuse
UH community-based researcher shares Fentanyl’s shifting impact
“The Opioid Crisis is changing”: UH community-based researcher shares Fentanyl’s shifting impact
There is nothing more heartbreaking than losing a loved one—a child or a parent—due to a “…
Photo by Cotton Bro for Pexels
How to Talk to College Students about Alcohol Addiction and Binge Drinking
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi speaks on NPR member station Houston Public Media with reporter Matthew Harab
Image of red confetti on a black background with text in a condensed, bold typeface (in all caps) that reads, "Four Pilot Grants Awarded to HEALTH-RCMI Researchers and Early-Stage Investigators"
Four Pilot Grants Awarded to HEALTH-RCMI Researchers and Early-Stage Investigators
To nurture the research paths of early-stage investigators, pilot project grants are tailored to…
Portrait of Kerry Chavez
Research on Marijuana Use Earns Recognition for UH College of Education Ph.D. Student
After years of working as a research chemist, University of Houston doctoral student Kerry Chávez…
Man sitting on couch talk to his son who stands before him
11 Ways to Cope with the Learned Helplessness and Secondary Trauma in the Aftermath of the Uvalde Mass Shooting
How do we cope with the learned helplessness, the sorrow and shock after inexplicable events like…
Image of family in tears in Uvalde, Texas. Image from Reuters.
How to cope with trauma after a mass shooting
Parents and schools are forced to find ways to have a difficult conversation about violence. What…
Photo of an empty wine glass under a low-light spotlight with a black background.
“Gray Area Drinking” Spikes During the Pandemic: The Warning Signs and How to Treat it
The jarring reality of a COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the stressors of job loss and increasing…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Breaking Down Barriers of Vaccine Hesitancy as Omicron Variant Cases Rise in Houston
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi weighs in on new research to better understand vaccine hesitancy
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Hispanics, Latinos face challenges with mental illness
People with mental illness in the Hispanic and Latino communities face challenges getting help,…
Drs. Shao-Chee Sim and Ezemenari Obasi
Opinion - Pandemic hit Black and Latino communities hardest. Texas must address the root causes.
HRI Director Dr. Ezemenari Obasi is featured in this Houston Chronicle Op-ed regarding the…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Investigating Vaccine Hesitancy in Houston’s Underserved Communities
With COVID-19 vaccines more readily available than ever, there remains vaccine hesitancy in diverse…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Winners of the 2020-21 Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
The University of Houston announced the winners for the 2020-21 Awards for Excellence in Research,…
Holiday Stress
Want to Cut Back on Holiday Boozing? Learn to Hack Your Biology
HRI Director, Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, is featured in this gripping article about stress and its impact…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Pursuing Health Equity
Introducing our New National Research Center, a giant leap forward in Helping Everyone Achieve a…
self medicating
2020 Stresses Plus Self-Medicating Can Be Deadly
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, is featured in this important article regarding drug overdose…
UHAND Graduation
UHAND Graduation
Project UHAND'S first cohort has graduated from the program! It has successfully increased the…
uhand
Meet the New UHAND Scholars
We are excited to announce that the UHAND project has a second cohort of scholars, which comprises…
Annual Report
HRI Annual Report
Our annual report is ready to view!
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Racial Health Disparities Panel
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, was a panelist in a virtual panel discussion on Black health.
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Dr. Obasi is a Featured Expert During Viewing of George Floyd
Dr. Obasi was a featured expert on Houston's ABC13 News Today. He discussed the traumatic…
TOUCH
Project TOUCH Has Come to a Close
The HEALTH Research Institute designed the TOUCH program, funded by the United Health Foundation…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Opinion. We Shouldn’t Want to Return to Normal After COVID-19. Let’s Invest in Everyone’s Health.
In this powerful piece, Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, discusses how the coronavirus…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Expert believes COVID-19 testing sites must be mobile to help vulnerable communities
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, speaks to Fox News regarding the importance of COVID-19…
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi
Stress Test: Putting Stress of Pandemic, Quarantine to Good Use
Dr. Ezemenari Obasi, Director of HRI, speaks about ways to manage stress during COVID-19 social…
award
Pilot Grant Awardees
HRI awarded 2 pilot project grants to expand the HRI’s membership and work in the area of basic…
health conference
HEALTH A Call to Action - Pre-Conference and Conference
The HEALTH Research Institute (HRI) held its inaugural conference, HEALTH: A Call to Action, on…
Exercising with project TOUCH
TOUCH Program Reports Success in Houston’s East End
One year after launching in Houston’s East End, the University of Houston’s Project TOUCH (Treating…
science research
Recent HRI Grant Submissions
This quarter HRI submitted grant submissions on a variety of topics such as addiction training,…
Houston Mayor and community leaders with local children
Mayor’s Back to School Fest
This event was created to help economically disadvantaged kids and their families. With…
Basic biomedical science - heart and stethoscope
Pilot Research Program
In support of the HRI’s goal to become a national Center of Excellence, the HRI recently released a…
Daphne Hernandez
HRI Member Spotlight - Research
Dr. Daphne C. Hernandez recently received funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National…
HRI new website
HRI New Website
The HRI team is excited to announce the launch of our new website and YouTube channel! Check out…
HRI Conference
HEALTH A Call to Action - Inaugural HRI Conference
2020 is a month away, which means we’re a month closer to the HEALTH Research Institute’s first…
Victoria Lara on Univision
Project TOUCH is Spotlighted in Spanish Channel Univision
TOUCH's very own, Victoria Lara speaks about the importance of early prevention through…
Karla Cisneros, Dr. Ezemanari Obasi and Dr. Reitzel
Project TOUCH East End Launch
HRI collaborated with Council Member Karla Cisneros to present the 2019 Health and Resource Fair to…
Health screenings at Mason Park
Project TOUCH Provides Free Preventative Health Screenings
On April 27th, Project TOUCH administered free health screenings at Mason Park. Based on their…
Diabetes panel discussion
Community Dialog on Diabetes Panel
Dr. Obasi and affiliates, Dr. Liaw and Dr. Reed, spoke on the Community Dialog on Diabetes panel…
photo of Ezemenari Obasi
Obasi secures $2.5 Million to Study Effects of Stress on Substance Abuse
The five-year grant will support research from the UH College of Education to investigate…
researcher takes blood at health fair
The HEALTH Research Institute officially launches at UH
The University of Houston releases its official announcement of the HEALTH Research Institute.
photo of woman getting her BMI measured at health fair
HRI gives health screenings at 2019 Health and Resource Fair
TOUCH, TTTF, and UHAND programs come to East End, in collaboration with Councilwoman Karla Cisneros…
Dr. Obasi on Isiah Factor, Fox 26 Houston
Dr. Obasi shares tips for quitting alcohol on Fox 26
Dr. Obasi discusses treatment options for alcohol abuse that include behavioral therapy, medication…
photo of TOUCH activity program
Partnership Moving into Houston’s East End after Success in Third Ward
Midway through a three-year, $2 million grant from the United Health Foundation, University of…
photo of Dr. Obasi's lab
HRI researchers featured in UH Magazine
The University of Houston Magazine's Fall 2018 edition, titled "The Health Issue,"…
photo of insulin shot
Nearly Half of Diabetics Skimp on Treatment Due to High Insulin Cost
According to the American Diabetes Association, between 2002 and 2013 the average price of insulin…
Dr. Obasi at health fair
HRI featured in UH Research & Innovation 2017 Magazine
The latest issue of the UH Research & Innovation Magazine focuses on the role urban…
Dan O'Connor and Ezemenari Obasi speaking at United Health Foundation grant announcement event
United Health Foundation Helps HRI Tackle Obesity and Diabetes
A $2 million grant will help the institute work to prevent and treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes in…