Under the direction of Dr. Kim Fromme, the Studies on Alcohol, Health, and Risky Activities (SAHARA) Lab focuses on the study of alcohol use and other behavioral risks (e.g. risky sex, aggression/violence, driving after drinking) among college students and other young adults. Some of our previous research has evaluated the effects of alcohol on cognition and emotion, the association between alcohol intoxication and risky sexual behavior, and the success of prevention programs in reducing alcohol use and other behavioral risks.

With a 5-year, $2.3 million grant from NIAAA, we recently launched an exciting new project, the "Genes and New Experiences Study" (GENES). We will be collecting DNA and survey data from over 1,000 participants. In addition, we will bring over 400 participants into our simulated bar laboratory for an alcohol challenge. We will be examining 5 candidate genes in relation to individual differences in alcohol response, externalizing personality traits, and trajectories of alcohol use. For more information, see "Research Opportunities" on this site and visit www.utgenes.org.