Development and evaluation of an exercise intervention to support smokingcessation among people with HIV using the multiphase optimization strategy

The National Institute on Drug Abuse awarded Merrimack College $172,158 on September 1, 2026, under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279) to support career development and research training in exercise intervention design for smoking cessation among people with HIV.

The award funds a five-year K01 career development grant focused on designing and disseminating theory-based, optimized exercise interventions for tobacco dependence and nicotine cessation. The recipient will conduct research across two primary aims: engaging 24 community partners to co-design and refine an exercise intervention integrating motivational interviewing and peer support components to maximize exercise adherence, and pilot testing the co-designed intervention using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy framework. The award supports the principal investigator's professional training to become an independent researcher through intensive mentorship under Dr. Kristine Erlandson (primary mentor) and co-mentors Gina Kruse, Jennifer Cantrell, Patricia Cioe, and Juliana Cohen, with additional collaboration from Scott Comulada and James Howland. The training encompasses pragmatic participant-informed design strategies, behavior change theory application, factorial optimization design techniques, clinical trials management, and grant writing, delivered through one-on-one mentoring, seminars, coursework, workshops, and professional meetings.

Work is performed in North Andover, Massachusetts. The period of performance runs through August 31, 2031.

Abstract

This K01 proposal aims to advance my professional training to become an independent researcher. The proposed research project focuses on designing and disseminating theory-based, optimized exercise interventions for tobacco dependence and nicotine cessation. Aligned with nida's priority scientific areas (1-4), i plan to develop skills in: 1) pragmatic participant-informed design strategies (PID) with dissemination and implementation in mind from the outset. 2) application of behavior change theory to mixed-methods intervention design. 3) the conduct and analysis of behavioral interventions using factorial optimization design techniques, with a specific focus on the multiphase optimization strategy trials (most) framework. 4) clinical trials management, leadership, and grant writing. Over the 5-year award period, my career development will be supported through intensive one-on-one training with my multi-disciplinary mentorship team, including DRS. Kristine erlandson (primary mentor), CO-mentors gina kruse, jennifer cantrell, patricia cioe, and juliana cohen, with additional collaborators in data management and analysis (DR. Scott comulada), and motivational interviewing (DR. James howland). I will participate in virtual and in-person meetings with my mentors and engage in seminars, coursework, workshops, and professional meetings to further enhance my skills. This career development opportunity will dovetail with hands-on experience in achieving the following specific aims: aim 1: engage 24 key community partners to CO-design and refine an exercise intervention that integrates motivational interviewing (MI) and peer support components, aimed at maximizing exercise adherence. Aim 2: based on feedback from aim 1, pilot test the CO-designed and refined exercise intervention using the most framework. Aim 3: assess the association between exercise dose and smoking behaviors along with other factors, such as self-reported depression, cravings, withdrawal symptoms, nicotine dependence, and self-efficacy. This research will contribute to manuscripts and presentations and will provide the crucial preliminary data to inform an R01 optimizing an exercise intervention for smoking cessation in people with HIV (PWH) while i establish an independent research career.