Staff: Laurel P. Gibson, PhD, MPH
Laurel P. Gibson, PhD, MPH
Cancer Prevention Fellow
Laurel Gibson, PhD, MPH, was a Cancer Prevention Fellow in the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the Behavioral Research Program from August 2024 to June 2025.
Dr. Gibson's research examines theory-based, psychosocial determinants of cancer-related risk and preventative behaviors. Much of her previous work has focused on how social factors contribute to the health and well-being of populations who bear a disproportionate burden of cancer. Dr. Gibson's published work has also examined the public health implications of cannabis legalization, and she is interested in expanding this work to understand cannabis use as it relates to cancer risk, prevention, and care.
Dr. Gibson received her PhD in social psychology with a concentration in quantitative methods from the University of Colorado Boulder. After earning her doctorate, Dr. Gibson completed her MPH at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she collaborated with the American Cancer Society's Tobacco Control Research Team on research-advocacy partnerships focused on eliminating geographic differences in tobacco and polysubstance use. Dr. Gibson also holds BAs in psychological science and communication from the University of Connecticut.
"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated June 2025
Current Title
Behavioral Scientist
BEESY Strategy
How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
The fellowship provided me with a multi-level understanding of cancer prevention, as well as the opportunity to expand my methodological and statistical expertise. Working alongside applied social psychologists like my preceptor, Annette Kaufman, also prepared me for my current role, where I leverage behavioral science to improve health decision-making.
Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
One of my favorite memories was my first lunch with my colleagues in the Tobacco Control Research Branch (TCRB). Everyone was so welcoming and supportive, and in that moment, I knew I had made the right decision in joining TCRB. It was the perfect introduction to a group of people who genuinely care about the work they’re doing, and that sense of collaboration and shared purpose has stayed with me throughout my fellowship experience.
Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am a researcher at BEESY Strategy, a behavioral science agency focused on oncology, women’s health, and rare diseases. In this role, I apply behavioral science principles to help pharmaceutical companies better understand and influence patient and provider decision-making.
Publications from Fellowship Work
- Gibson LP, Bryan AD. Running High: Cannabis Users' Subjective Experience of Exercise During Legal Market Cannabis Use Versus No Use in a Naturalistic Setting. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024 Aug;9(4):e1122-e1131.
- Gibson LP, Giordano GR, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Acute Effects of Ad Libitum Use of Commercially Available Cannabis Products on the Subjective Experience of Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover Study. Sports Med. 2024 Apr;54(4):1051-1066.
- Giordano G, Martin-Willett R, Gibson LP, Camidge DR, Bowles DW, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life. Explor Med. 2023;4:254–71.
- Gibson LP, Skrzynski CJ, Giordano GR, Bryan AD. A daily diary investigation of cannabis use and its diet and exercise correlates. Front Psychol. 2023 Aug 4;14:1217144.
- Gibson LP, Karoly HC, Ellingson JM, Klawitter J, Sempio C, Squeri JE, Bryan AD, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE. Effects of cannabidiol in cannabis flower: Implications for harm reduction. Addict Biol. 2022 Jan;27(1):e13092.
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