Dr. Hayes received her PhD in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA and completed an internship in health psychology at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. She completed post-doctoral training in behavioral medicine from Brown University/The Miriam Hospital.

Specific research interests include: developing and examining smoking cessation treatment for underserved populations and populations with medical co-morbidities; implementing treatment in the context of teachable moments and in hospital/primary-care clinic settings; augmenting risk perceptions and tailoring health communication messages to motivate cessation behavior; and training health care providers/medical students to implement clinical practice guidelines in tobacco treatment. She also has interests in population use of alternative tobacco products, tobacco regulatory science, and the use of behavioral counseling and technology to promote health behavior change.

Research Support

Ongoing Research

5 R01 CA136888-03 (NIH/NCI) J. Ockene (PI) 07/06/09 – 05/31/14

RCT for Smoking Cessation in Medical Schools

AIMS: Brief physician-delivered tobacco treatment commonly known as “the 5As”, is an evidence-based intervention demonstrated to double a smoker’s likelihood of quitting. Using a pair-matched, randomized group-controlled design (implemented in 10 medical schools), we are comparing two methods of teaching the 5As to medical students: 1) traditional medical education (TE), and 2) multi-modal education (MME) that adds two components to TE: a web-based instructional program for students and preceptor training. The primary outcome is observed tobacco treatment counseling skills of medical students as measured by the Objective Structured Clinical Examination. A secondary outcome is self-reported tobacco treatment counseling skill level.

Role: Co-Investigator

UMASS Dean’s Project Fund R. Hayes (PI) 09/15/12 --09/14/13

Smoking Profiles and Trajectories of Adult Nondaily Smokers

AIMS: Clinical guidelines do not exist for nondaily smokers. This research uses a national sample of adult nondaily smokers stratified by ethnicity (e.g. African-American, Latino, and Caucasian) to identify subcategories of nondaily smokers. It also examines smoking behavior over time (6 month follow-up). This information will be used to examine possible intervention methods to help nondaily smokers to quit permanently.

Role: PI

UMCCTS (NIH U54 CTSA) LI (PI) 08/01/12-07/31/13

Residential Environment And Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors (REACH) Pilot Study

AIMS: This pilot project develops and tests new instruments for surveying food purchasing behaviors and use of exercise places among older women. The study will test a battery of dietary and physical activity instruments among 100 community-dwelling older women.

Role: Co-Investigator

National Science Foundation (NSF) HRD-120859 Ockene (PI) 09/15/12- 08/31/15

Creation and Development of the Quantitative Subtle Gender Bias Index (SGBI) to Better Understand Micro-inequities within the Academic Setting

AIMS: This project will use both quantitative and qualitative methods to develop and evaluate the reliability and validity of a questionnaire, SGBI, that focuses on quantifying micro-inequities that affect the advancement of women into visible STEM leadership roles in research, professional societies, and academic administration.

Role: Co-Investigator

Completed Research

5 R01CA136888-03 (NIH/NCI) J. Ockene (PI) 06/01/2010 - 05/31/12

Supplement for RCT for Smoking Cessation in Medical Schools

Use of an E-mail Reminder System with Academic Detailing to Increase Preceptor Adherence to AHRQ Tobacco Treatment Guidelines within Medical Schools

AIMS: This supplement is to develop and measure the effect of Academic Detailing in the RCT.

Role: Candidate/PI

IRG93033 (ACS)-Institutional Hayes (PI) 05/31/10-5/31/12

Characteristics and Patterns of Smoking Among Adult Non-daily Smokers

AIMS: Using mixed methods, the study will explore the barriers and facilitators of smoking cessation behavior and other qualities of non-daily smokers.

Role: PI