Tyler Nighbor, PhD

Principal Scientist
Tobacco Control Research

What Drives Me?

Although the tobacco control community has made progress in reducing tobacco use, especially cigarette smoking, over the years, the fight is far from over. Tobacco companies continue to target vulnerable communities among us, which threatens to addict the next generation and widen already existing health disparities. I pursued a scientific career in tobacco control because I have a passion for reducing these health disparities and I believe through careful scientific study we can provide evidence-based solutions for policy makers, and ultimately identify a path forward for a healthier and more equitable future."

At ACS since 2023

Tyler Nighbor, PhD, is a principal scientist in Surveillance & Health Equity Science within the Tobacco Control Group. His research projects aim to understand and reduce cancer risks and other health disparities associated with tobacco use in the United States.

Research focus and accomplishments

Nighbor brings to the American Cancer Society years of research experience in tobacco control and tobacco regulatory science and has a range of research interests, including:

  • Understanding the prevalence of tobacco use and trends in tobacco sales
  • Assessing the impact of policies on tobacco use across a variety of products, including interactions among products in the tobacco marketplace and how products substitute for one another
  • Understanding the potential for addiction of newly emerging tobacco products
  • Behavioral interventions to promote smoking cessation

Publications

For a full list of Dr. Nighbor’s publications, visit his Google Scholar page.

Contact 

Tyler.Nighbor@cancer.org

Work before ACS

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Tobacco Products, Health Scientist

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow: Psychiatry-Tobacco Control and Tobacco Regulatory Science, University of Vermont, 2017-2020
  • PhD: Psychology-Behavior Analysis, West Virginia University, 2014-2017
  • MA: Psychology-Behavior Analysis, University of the Pacific, 2012-2014
  • BA: Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 2007-2011