Mustafa al'Absi
,
Credentials
PhD

Professor and Max E. and Mary LaDue Pickworth Chair
Biography

Bio

Dr. al'Absi is a professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, and directs the Duluth Global Health Research Institute. He holds the Max E. and Mary LaDue Pickworth Chair. Al'Absi has been honored with several awards, including the ABMR Neal E. Miller Award and American Psychosomatic Society Herbert Weiner Early Career Award. He is a fellow of the Association for Psychological Sciences; has served in leadership positions within several scientific organizations and on several NIH panels; and is associate editor for Psychophysiology and on the editorial board of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine.

Clinical Summary

Psychobiology of stress; pain; addiction

Education

Specialization, University of Oklahoma/Oklahoma State
Major: Clinical Psychology
PhD, University of Oklahoma Medical Center
Major: Behavioral Medicine
MS, North Dakota State University
Major: Clinical Psychology
BA/BS, Cairo University
Major: Psychology/Biology

Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements

Residency in Clinical Psychology, Residency
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Thomas Jefferson Fellowship, Fellowship
University of Oklahoma Medical Center
Fullbright Fellowship, Fellowship

Licensures and Certifications

Management Development Program (MDP), Harvard University, Graduate School of Education
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Minnesota),

Honors and Recognition

The 2016 NIDA International Award of Excellence in Collaborative Research
2016
Herbert Weiner Early Career Award for Psychosomatic Medicine
2004
The Neal E. Miller Young Investigator Award (ABMR)
2000
Alpha Epsilon Lambda-Delta Chapter
1995
Outstanding Cumulative GPA Award, University of Oklahoma
1995
Outstanding Graduate Academic Achievement Award
1995
Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic "Game Ball"
1994
Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic "Game Ball"
1994
Award for Outstanding Clinical/Applied Research, University of Oklahoma
1993
National Dean's List
1991
Phi Kappa Phi
1989
Fellow of the University of Iowa Council of International Programs
1987

Professional Memberships

Center for Rural Mental Health
University of Minnesota Cancer Center
Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT)
University of Minnesota Lillehei Heart Institute
Society for Behavioral Medicine (SBM)
Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR)
International Organization for Psychophysiology
New York Academy of Science
American Psychological Association (APA)
American Psychosomatic Society (APS)
American Pain Society (APS)
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Africa and Middle East Congress on Addiction (AMECA), Chair
Association for Psychological Sciences (APS), Fellow
Academy for Behavioral Medicine Research (ABMR)
Selected Presentations

Selected Presentations

al'Absi, M. "Unobtrusive measurement of stress and smoking psychophysiological markers in the natural environment", American Psychosomatic Society Annual Conference, Sevilla, Spain. January 01, 2018.
al'Absi, M. "Behavioral health research and capacity building in East African communities: Challenges and opportunities", International Oromo Health Professionals Association Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, January 01, 2018.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and addiction relapse", Academy of Behavioral Medicine, Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 01, 2017.
El Mhamdi, S., Nakajima, M., Lemieux, A., al'Absi, M. "The 4th Africa & Middle East Congress on Addiction (AMECA): Research outreach and capacity building activities", NIDA International Forum, Montreal, Canada. January 01, 2017.
Nakajima, M., al'Absi, M. "Attitudes, perceptions, and psychosocial determinants of cancer screening among East African communities", CHAAMPS National Meeting, Birmingham, Alabama, January 01, 2017.
al'Absi, M. "Stress, trauma, and mental health challenges in Africa", German African Conference on Mental Health, Nairobi, Kenya. April 01, 2016.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and addiction: Harnessing technology to develop effective methods for assessment and intervention", Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, April 01, 2015.
al'Absi, M. "Sex difference in predictors of smoking relapse", STNT Symposium on Biobehavioral Mechanisms, January 01, 2015.
al'Absi, M. "Drug, cultural, and mental health", BRAIN Network Meeting, NIH, Washington, District of Columbia, February 01, 2014.
Matsumura, K., Nakajima, M., Usuki, M., Krohne, H. K., Matsuoka, Y., al'Absi, M. "Examination of psychometric properties of Mainz Coping Inventory", American Psychosomatic Society, San Francisco, California, January 01, 2014.
al'Absi, M., Dokam, A., Al Habori, M., Hoffman, R., Khalil, N., Nakajima, M. "Khat Research Program: Neurobehavioral impact of long-term use", Tenth Anniversary BRAIN Disorders in the Developing World Symposium, Bethesda, Maryland, January 01, 2014.
Nakajima, M., al'Absi, M. "Influences of chronic use of tobacco and khat (catha edulis) on subjective sleep quality", Jimma-Minnesota International Symposium on Mental Health and Substance Use, Jimma, Ethiopia. January 01, 2014.
Nakajima, M., al'Absi, M. "Correlates of concurrent use of khat and tobacco", Jimma-Minnesota International Symposium on Mental Health and Substance Use, Jimma, Ethiopia. January 01, 2014.
Hoffman, R., Nakajima, M., Lemieux, A., al'Absi, M. "Socio-demographic and psychosocial correlates of khat dependence", 2nd African and Middle Eastern Congress on Addiction Conference, Rabat, Morocco. January 01, 2014.
Jebena, M., Lemessa, F., Taha, M., Tesfaye, M., Gemechu, T., Kebede, E., Tariki, Y., Workineh, N., Nakajima, M., al'Absi, M. "Household food insecurity and mental health during pregnancy in southwest Ethiopia: Finding from JU-KRP pilot study", Jimma-Minnesota International Symposium on Mental Health and Substance Use, Jimma, Ethiopia. January 01, 2014.
Taha, M., Jebena, M., al'Absi, M., Nakajima, M., Lemessa, F., Kebede, E., Tesfaye, M., Gemechu, T., Workineh, N., Tariku, Y. "Prevalence of common mental disorders its associated factors during pregnancy in southwest Ethiopia: Finding from JU_KRP pilot study", Jimma-Minnesota International Symposium on Mental Health and Substance Use, Jimma, Ethiopia. January 01, 2014.
Nakajima, M., Usuki, M., Matsumura, K., Matsuoka, Y., al'Absi, M. "Vigilant coping style predicts enhanced pain experience in regular smokers", American Psychosomatic Society, San Francisco, California, January 01, 2014.
Nakajima, M., Jebena, M., Tesfaye, M., Hoffman, R., Lemieux, A., Lemessa, F., al'Absi, M. "Correlates of khat use during pregnancy: A cross-sectional investigation", The 2nd African and Middle Eastern Congress on Addiction Conference, Rabat, Morocco. January 01, 2014.
al'Absi, M., Nakajima, M., Dokam, A., Sameai, A., Alsoofi, M., Khalil, N., Al Habori, M. "Concurrent tobacco and khat use is associated with dysregulated cardiovascular stress response and enhanced negative mood", Jimma-Minnesota International Symposium on Mental Health and Substance Use, Jimma, Ethiopia. January 01, 2014.
Al Sameai, A., Nakajima, M., Dokam, A., alSoofi, M., Kahlil, N., al'Absi, M. "Influence of chronic khat use on quality of sleep in habitual khat user in Yemen", Society of Neuroscience of Africa, Rabat, Morocco. June 01, 2013.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and tobacco addiction: Biological and psychological mechanisms", SCORE Program Seminar, Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 01, 2013.
Nyongesa, A. W., Oduma, J. A., Nakajima, M., Odongo, H. O., Adoyo, P. A., al'Absi, M. "Neural and hormonal interplay influencing behaviour following acute and sub-chronic cathinone administration in vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)", SONA Conference, January 01, 2013.
Huttlin, E., Tosun, N., Allen, A., Allen, S., al'Absi, M. "Cortisol, menstrual phase and response to nicotine among female smokers", Women's Health Conference, January 01, 2013.
Polanka, B., al'Absi, M., Nakajima, M. "Physical activity affects systolic blood pressure and cortisol during stress", 27th National Conference on Undergraduate Research , La Crosse, Wisconsin, January 01, 2013.
Tosun, N., Lunos, S., Allen, A., al'Absi, M., Hatsukami, D., Allen, S. "Smoking-related symptomatology during smoking abstinence by menstrual phase and depressive symptoms", Women's Health Conference, January 01, 2013.
Kassim, S., al'Absi, M. "The challenge of concurrent tobacco smoking among khat chewers: What do we know?", UK National Smoking Cessation Conference, London, United Kingdom. January 01, 2013.
Allen, A., al'Absi, M., Allen, S. "Allopregnanolone & perceived stress during short-term smoking cessation", Women’s Health Research Conference, January 01, 2013.
Kassim, S., Al-Bakri, A., Croucher, R., al'Absi, M. "Waterpipe Tobacco Dependence in UK male adult residents: A cross-sectional study", UK National Smoking Cessation Conference, London, United Kingdom. January 01, 2013.
Odenwald, M., Mikulica, J., von Beust, J., Widmann, M., Ndetei, D., al'Absi, M. "Severe khat abuse as related to executive dysfunction", International Society of Addiction Medicine Conference, Geneva, Switzerland. January 01, 2012.
Odenwald, M., Widmann, M., Mikulica, J., von Beust, J., Bongard, S., Ndetei, D., al'Absi, M. "Consequences of chronic khat use: Khat-related cortisol suppression in individuals with and without posttraumatic stress disorder", Deutsche Suchtkonferenz, Berlin, Germany. January 01, 2012.
al'Absi, M. "Khat Research Program: Biobehavioral approaches to examine effects of chronic drugs use", INSERM, Lyons, France. November 01, 2011.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and addiction: Biobehavioral and Psychological mechanisms", Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, March 01, 2011.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and addiction relapse: Neurobiological and psychological mechanisms", IBRO-Neuroscience, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. February 01, 2011.
al'Absi, M. "Neurobiology of addictive disorders", IBRO School, United Arab Emirates. January 01, 2011.
al'Absi, M., Kumar, S., Ertin, E., Feuvrel, K., Dold, N., Kuldanek, S., Kedia, S., Reylea, G. E., Scott, M., Venugopal, M., Ward, K., Wittmers, L. "Integration of novel methods to assess effects of stress and alcohol use", 18th Annual Meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Denver, Colorado, June 01, 2010.
Nakajima, M., Ford, E., Fujiwara, K., al'Absi, M. "Attenuated cardiovascular responses to stress during smoking withdrawal", Society for Psychophysiological Research, January 01, 2010.
al'Absi, M., Nakajima, M., Ford, E., Fujiwara, K., Wittmers, L. "Enhanced pain sensitivity during nicotine withdrawal in dependent smokers", Society for Psychophysiological Research, January 01, 2010.
al'Absi, M., Kumar, S., Ertin, E., Feuvrel, K., Dold, N., Kuldanek, S., Kedia, S., Relyea, G. E., Scott, M., Venugopal, M., Ward, K., Wittmers, L. "Integration of novel methods to assess effects of stress and alcohol use", Annual Convention of the American Psychosomatic Society Meeting, Portland, Oregon, January 01, 2010.
Hua, N., Lall, A., Romberg, J., Xu, J., al'Absi, M. "Just-in-time sampling and pre-filtering for wearable physiological sensors: Going from days to weeks of operation on a single charge", ACM Wireless Health, San Diego, California, January 01, 2010.
Kumar, S., al'Absi, M., Ali, A., Blitz, P. "AutoSense: A wireless sensor system to quantify psychosocial stress and addictive substances in natural environments", Annual Conference of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Baltimore, Maryland, January 01, 2010.
al'Absi, M., Kumar, S., Ertin, E., Dold, N., Kedia, S., Relyea, G. E., Scott, M., Venugopal, M., Ward, K. "Integrated, non-invasive assessment of stress and alcohol use", Society for Prevention Research, January 01, 2010.
al'Absi, M., Ertin, E., Kamarck, T., Kumar, S., Scott, M., Siewiorek, D., Smailagic, A. "Personalized inferencing of stress using AutoSense", NEPSAS Meeting, NIH, Washington, District of Columbia, January 01, 2010.
Shi, J., Nguyen, M. H., Blitz, P., al'Absi, M. "Personalized stress detection from physiological measurements", International Symposium on Quality of Life Technology, Las Vegas, Nevada, January 01, 2010.
Marrin, H., Pasley, J., al'Absi, M. "The influence of sweet taste on a mental arithmetic task in a healthy college student population", Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, Charlotte, North Carolina, January 01, 2010.
al'Absi, M. "New findings focusing on neuroendocrine and psychophysiological mechanisms of the stress response", Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 01, 2010.
al'Absi, M. "Khat research program (KRP)", Neuroscience Center, NIH, Washington, District of Columbia, November 16, 2009.
Kirk, G. D., Epstein, D., Intille, S., Shetty, V., Ward, K., Wittmers, L., al'Absi, M., Atienza, A., McDonald, P., Caulder, M., Schulden, J., Wanke, K., Wideroff, L. "Cohorts and consortia: From biotechnology to populations", Novel Exposure-Monitoring Technologies in Cohort & Consortia Research: Opportunities with the Genes, Environment and Health Initiative (GEI) Exposure, Network on Exposure to Psychosocial Stress and Addictive Substances (NEPSAS), Banff, Canada. June 17, 2009.
al'Absi, M. "Model of psychological stress and addiction: biological and psychosocial correlates", Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, Oregon, May 01, 2009.
al'Absi, M. "Pituitary-adrenocortical responses to stress and endogenous opioids in dependent smokers", TTURC - Cancer Center, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 01, 2009.
Allen, M. A., Allen, S. S., al'Absi, M. "Menstrual phase differences in nicotine response after acute smoking abstinence", CPDD, January 01, 2009.
al'Absi, M. "Gender and biobehavioral mechanisms of stress and smoking relapse", APA Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada. January 01, 2009.
Kumar, S., Ertin, E., Feuvrel, K., al'Absi, M. "Stress and addiction: Integration of novel assessment methods", Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Sciences, San Francisco, California, January 01, 2009.
Ertin, E., Wittmers, L., al'Absi, M., Kumar, S. "A distributed algorithm for real time analysis of heart rate variability using low power wireless monitors", Abstract in Computers in Cardiology, Park City, Utah, January 01, 2009.
Ertin, E., Kumar, S., al'Absi, M. "AutoSense: A wireless sensor system to quantify personal exposures to psychosocial stress and alcohol in natural environment", International Society for Exposure Sciences, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 01, 2009.
Hoffman, R., Khalil, N., Alhabori, M., Kadri, H., al'Absi, M. "Working memory in regular khat users", 9th Conference of the Society for Neuroscience Africa (International Brain Research Organization, IBRO), Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. January 01, 2009.
Bongard, S., Khalil, N., Alhabori, M., al'Absi, M. "Trait anger and anger expression in khat users and nonusers in Yemen", 9th Conference of the Society for Neuroscience Africa (International Brain Research Organization, IBRO), Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. January 01, 2009.
al'Absi, M. "Khat effects on health: A specific focus on brain and neurobehavioral functions", 9th Conference of the Society for Neuroscience Africa (International Brain Research Organization, IBRO), Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt. January 01, 2009.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and addictive behaviors: Etiology and intervention implications", Vaxjor University, Vaxjor, Sweden. May 01, 2008.
al'Absi, M. "Psychobiological mechanisms of stress and chronic diseases: Implications for aging", Second International Conference on Aging, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. April 01, 2008.
al'Absi, M. "Stress biology and risk for heart disease", Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 01, 2008.
al'Absi, M., Wittmers, L., Bongard, S., Westra, R. "Stress, craving, and smoking relapse", Association for Psychological Sciences Annual Meeting, Wild at Heart: Motivational Influences on Cardiovascular Reactivity, Chicago, Illinois, January 01, 2008.
al'Absi, M., Kotlyar, M., Brauer, L., Adson, D., Hatsukami, D. "Pain perception and adrenocortical responses to bupropion during smoking abstinence", Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Portland, Oregon, January 01, 2008.
Kotlyar, M., al'Absi, M., Thuras, P., Brauer, L., Adson, D., Hatsukami, D. "Predictors of physiological response to mental stress in smokers", College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists, January 01, 2007.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and addiction: Biological and behavioral mechanisms", Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia, November 01, 2006.
al'Absi, M., Westra, R., Davis, G., Hatsukami, D., Wittmers, L. E. "Responses to stress as predictors of smoking relapse in men and women", World Congress of Cancer, Washington, District of Columbia, July 01, 2006.
al'Absi, M. "Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical responses to psychological stress and risk for smoking relapse", TTURC Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, April 01, 2006.
Bongard, S., al'Absi, M., Carr, S. "Trait anger und psychobiologische Reaktionen bei rauchenden und abstinenten Rauchern. [Trait anger and psychobiological responses in ad libidum and abstinent smokers]", 45th Congress of the German Society of Psychology, January 01, 2006.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and smoking relapse: Potential psychobiological linkages", American Public Health Association Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, January 01, 2006.
al'Absi, M. "Adrenocortical and pain response to endogenous opioid blockade in hypertension-prone men and women", Relationships Between the Cardiovascular and Pain Regulatory Systems: Possible Mechanisms and Implications for Hypertension Risk, January 01, 2006.
al'Absi, M. "Altered pain and stress response as markers of hypertension", University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 01, 2005.
al'Absi, M. "Altered stress response as a biomarker of hypertension", Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, May 01, 2004.
al'Absi, M. "Pain sensitivity and altered HPA responses to stress as marker of hypertension risk", American Psychosomatic Society, Orlando, Florida, March 01, 2004.
al'Absi, M. "Sex differences in psychobiological mechanisms of stress and early smoking relapse (Hot Topic Talk)", American Psychological Society Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, January 01, 2004.
al'Absi, M. "Behavioral and psychosocial risk factors of heart disease and stroke", Annual Conference of the National Science Research Foundation, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen. October 01, 2002.
al'Absi, M. "Stress and smoking relapse", National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute, Washington, District of Columbia, August 01, 2001.
al'Absi, M. "Biobehavioral mechanisms of stress and hypertension risk", North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, November 01, 2000.
al'Absi, M. "Altered stress response as a marker of hypertension", Academy of the Behavioral Medicine Research, Quebec, Canada. July 01, 2000.
al'Absi, M., Mazmanian, D., Everall, S., Reuters, J., Roche, C. "Perceived stress and addictive behaviors in Canadian and American undergraduates", Canadian Psychological Association, Ottawa, Canada. January 01, 2000.
al'Absi, M., Amunrud, T., Petersen, K., Hatsukami, D., Wittmers, L. E. "Short-term smoking abstinence enhances psychophysiological responses to brief cognitive challenges in habitual smokers", Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, January 01, 2000.
al'Absi, M. "Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular responses to interpersonal social stress", North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, October 01, 1998.
Hodapp, V., Bongard, S., al'Absi, M. "Anger expression at work and in other life settings", 24th International Congress for Applied Psychology, San Francisco, California, January 01, 1998.
Davis, G., al'Absi, M. "Innovation in health psychology and behavioral medicine: A Minnesota discussion", Minnesota Psychological Association President’s Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 01, 1998.
al'Absi, M. "Neuroendocrine and cardiovascular responses on interpersonal", Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. October 01, 1997.
Payne, T. J., al'Absi, M., Smith, P. O. "The reliability of smoking cue reactivity in smokers who achieve abstinence", 3rd Annual Scientific Session of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Nashville, Tennessee, June 01, 1997.
Bongard, S., al'Absi, M. "Geschlechtsunterschiede im habituellen Aergerausdruck in Abhaengigkeit von erfragten Lebensbereichen. [Effects of social setting on gender differences in habitual anger expression style.]", 3rd Meeting of the Health Psychology Section of the German Society for Psychology, Greifswald, Germany. April 01, 1997.
Buchanan, T. W., al'Absi, M. "Relationship between fear of pain and responses to the cold pressor test", 12th Meeting of the Oklahoma Psychological Society and the Oklahoma Psychological Association, Stillwater, Oklahoma, April 01, 1994.
al'Absi, M., Lovallo, W. R., Mckey, B. S., Pincomb, G. A. "Borderline hypertensives produce exaggerated adrenocortical responses to sustained mental stress", Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, California, February 01, 1993.
al'Absi, M., Moody-Thomas, S. "Actual and intended health behavior: The role of health locus of control", Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Austin, Texas, April 01, 1992.
al'Absi, M., Lovallo, W. R. "Novelty of experimental setting and cortisol concentrations in borderline hypertensive and normotensive men", Annual Meeting of the Oklahoma Psychological Society/Oklahoma Psychological Association Annual Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, March 01, 1992.
al'Absi, M., Moody-Thomas, S. "Perceived vulnerability and maintenance of smoking behavior", Annual Meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association, Austin, Texas, April 01, 1991.
al'Absi, M., Moody-Thomas, S. "Psychosocial correlates of smoking among African American youth", University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 01, 1991.
Fick, A. C., Moody-Thomas, S., Henderson, J. A., al'Absi, M. "The effect of assertiveness and self esteem on intentions to smoke: African American adolescents", Annual Convention of Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 01, 1991.
al'Absi, M., Moody-Thomas, S., Fick, A. C., Henderson, J. A. "Youth smoking behavior: What attitudinal variables predict intention and smoking status?", Annual Convention of Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 01, 1991.
Henderson, J. A., Moody-Thomas, S., Fick, A. C., al'Absi, M. "Smoking status and attitudes toward smoking in an African American adult population", the Annual Convention of Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 01, 1991.
Fick, A. C., Moody-Thomas, S., Henderson, J. A., al'Absi, M. "Self-esteem and cigarette smoking among black adolescents", Annual Convention of Southeastern Psychological Association, Shreveport, Louisiana, November 01, 1990.
al'Absi, M., Rokke, P. D., Lall, R., Oswald, K. "Matching treatment strategies to the individual: The interaction of choice and locus of control", Annual Meeting of American Psychological Association, Boston, Massachusetts, August 01, 1990.
al'Absi, M., Rokke, P. D., Lall, R., Oswald, K. "The interaction of choice and locus of control: implications for improving treatment outcome", 1990 Annual Red River Valley Psychology Conference, Fargo, North Dakota, April 01, 1990.
al'Absi, M., Young, D., Rokke, P. D. "Do depressives' self evaluations change in public?", Annual Meeting of the North Dakota Psychological Association, Fargo, North Dakota, October 01, 1989.