Benjamin Montemayor, PhD

Assistant Professor
Curriculum Vitae
Contact
Health Behavior
212 Adriance Lab Rd.
1266 TAMU
College Station,
TX
77843-1266
bnmontemayor@tamu.edu
Phone: 979.436.9770
Google Scholar Profile
Scholars@TAMU Profile
ORCID
Biography
Montemayor is a health behavior social scientist with a background in alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) research as well as quantitative research methodology. His research focuses primarily on prevention and intervention of substance use among young adults and at-risk populations, with a growing emphasis on the utility of tailored programming to address mental health and substance use on college campuses, as well as on how high-risk adult drinkers perceive their alcohol-related cancer risk. His work spans assessments of substance-using behaviors, including polysubstance use and associated risk factors like cultural and social norms, motives, and perceived risks. Dr. Montemayor has experience in leading both individual and group focused ATOD intervention programs, including Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS), a harm-reduction, preventive intervention evidence-based approach to reducing alcohol use among college students who are active alcohol drinkers and who are at risk for alcohol-related problems. Dr. Montemayor has also developed a deep appreciation for the ethical challenges of conducting research with high-risk substance users, who present unique research conduct challenges. He has led institute-funded research projects exploring ethical issues in drug use research.
In addition to examining behavioral risk factors and related health outcomes, Dr. Montemayor integrates theory and implementation science into his work to explore how interventions can be effectively tailored, adopted, and sustained in real-world settings to reduce substance use. Overall, his research aims to characterize the social-ecological determinants of substance use, misuse and substance use disorder (SUD); shape intervention efforts and legislative policies for individuals with SUD or behavioral health disorders; and apply implementation science to ensure that interventions are evidence-based and scalable. He is experienced in all stages of ATOD programming, including developing and implementing individual and group interventions. His scholarly work has been published in journals such as International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, Prevention Science, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Journal of American College Health. He was recognized as a 2021 ADVANCE Diversity Champion at Texas A&M for his contributions to diversity and inclusion.
Education and Training
- Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University - Accountability, Climate, Equity, and Scholarship (ACES) Fellow, 2023
- University of Kentucky, PhD, Education Sciences, 2020
- Oklahoma State University, MS, Health and Human Performance, 2013
- West Texas A&M University, BA, Sports and Exercise Sciences, 2011
Research Interests
- Prevention and intervention of alcohol and other drug use among young adult at-risk minority populations and underrepresented sub-groups.
- Investigating perceptions of alcohol-related cancer risk.
- Utilizing theory to explain and predict future use of alcohol and other drugs and help-seeking behavior.
- Applying implementation science to ensure the adoption and sustainability of tailored interventions in real-world settings.
Teaching Interests
- Drugs and Society
- Seminar in Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
- Theory
Awards, Recognition and Service
- Mentor - Texas A&M University LAUNCH Undergraduate Research Ambassador. August 2024 - Current
- Mentor - Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Scholars program. August 2024 - Current
- JED Steering Committee member - Texas A&M University. May 2024 - Current
- Texas A&M University Fish Camp Namesake - Texas A&M University. 2023
- RETI Fellow - Fordham University. 2023
- ADVANCE Diversity Champion - Texas A&M University. 2021
- Kay and Jerry Cox Fellow - Texas A&M University. 2021