Curriculum Vitae

JaNiene Elishia Peoples

February 15, 2026

General Information

University address:	College of Social Work
College of Social Work
296 Champions Way
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306

E-mail address:	jp25bn@fsu.edu
	jpeoples2@fsu.edu

Professional Preparation

2025	Doctor of Philosophy, Washington University in St. Louis, Brown School-St. Louis, MO. Major: Social Work. 

2016	Master of Science, Texas A&M University-College Station, TX. Major: Health Education. 

2012	Bachelor of Science, University of Memphis-Memphis, TN. Major: Health and Human Performance. 

Professional Credential(s)

2025–present	Professional Development in Teaching Certificate-Associate Level Washington University in St. Louis, Center for Teaching and Learning. 

2022–present	ADHD-Certified Practitioner. 

2020–present	Certified Personal and Executive Coach. 

2019–present	Certified Health Education Specialist. 

Professional Experience

2025–present	Assistant Professor, Tenure-track, College of Social Work, Florida State University. 

2020–2023	NIDA T32 Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Washington University. 

Honors, Awards, and Prizes

Dissertation Award Recipient, Expiwell (2024). ($1,000). 
Provost's Graduate Student Research Excellence Award, Washington University in St. Louis (2024). 
Visiting Future Faculty Program (VITAL) Scholar, University at Buffalo School of Social Work (2024). 
NIDA Diversity Scholars Travel Award (2022). 

Elected Fellow Status

Elected as a Fellow of Brown School Office of Field Education, Washington University in St. Louis (2022–2025).
Elected as a Fellow of NIDA-T32 Transdisciplinary Training in Addictions Research (2020–2025).

Current Membership in Professional Organizations

AcademyHealth (Mental Health and Substance Use Research) 
American College Health Association 
American Public Health Association 
Black Doctoral Network 
College on Problems of Drug Dependence 
National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity 
Society for Social Work and Research 

Teaching

Courses Taught

Substance Use and Misuse (SOW 5712)
Evaluation of Social Work Practice (SOW 5432)

Master's Committee Member

Vincion, S., graduate. (2027).

Supervision of Student Research Not Related to Thesis or Dissertation

Ingle, J. (Dec 2025–present). 

Additional Teaching Experience

Peoples, J. E. (2022). Teaching Assistant-Principles, Practices, and Services in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis. 

Peoples, J. E. (2022). Teaching Assistant-Public Mental Health. Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis. 

Peoples, J. E. (2021). Health Behavior and Health Promotion. Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis. 

Peoples, J. E. (2021). Teaching Assistant-Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis. 

Peoples, J. E. (2015–2016). Instructor of Record-Science of Basic Health and Fitness. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University. 

Research and Original Creative Work

Program of Research and/or Focus of Original Creative Work

My research applies a biopsychosocial framework to investigate multilevel risk and protective factors influencing mental health and substance use outcomes, with a primary focus on Black emerging adults and college students. Across this work, I use a range of methods, including ecological momentary assessment to capture real-time experiences, and digital technologies for both assessment and intervention. My research is driven by translating empirical insights into culturally responsive interventions that reduce both mental health and substance-related harms, address systemic barriers to care, and promote well-being among communities facing disproportionate burdens of mental health and substance use challenges. 

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

Hutson, W. D., Meigs, L., Boahen-Boaten, B., Peoples, J. E., Clark, J., Cavazos-Rehg, P., Lateef, H., & Szlyk, H. S. (submitted). "You need to hear from real people in the streets...I'm one of them. I'm from there": Black Peer Health Workers' Perspectives on Substance Use Recovery Services and Feedback on a mHealth Intervention. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Byansi, W., Williamson, E., Peoples, J. E., & Motley, R. O. (submitted). Childhood adversity and anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors: evidence from a national U.S. sample of African emerging adults. Journal of Community Psychology. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Sargent, E., Debraux, M., Butler-Barnes, S. T., Smith, I., & Peoples, J. E. (submitted). Strength Amid Strain: Coping, Racism, and Racial Socialization Stress in Black Caregivers. Behavioral Sciences. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Motley, R. O., Williamson, E., Peoples, J. E., Ingram, M., & McTernan, M. (submitted). Caught in the crossfire: racism-based police violence and its influence on mental health help-seeking among Black and Hispanic emerging adults. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Peoples, J. E., & & Pfund, G. N. (submitted). Ecological momentary assessment of racial discrimination and same-day and next-day alcohol use among Black college students. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Manuscript submitted for publication.

Szlyk, H. S., Paraboschi, L., Meigs, L., Worley, E., Peoples, J. E., Maranets, E., Kasson, E., Ramsey, A. T., Lau, C., Korte, K., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (in press). Comparing pregnant and postpartum client and provider feedback on a digital health intervention for substance use recovery: A qualitative study. Journal of Medical Internet Research Formative Research.

Cavazos-Rehg, P., Li, X., Paraboschi, L., Meigs, L., Kasson, E., Szlyk, H. S., Peoples, J. E., Banks, D., Ramsey, A., Jacobson, N., & Sartor, C. (2026). Associations between microaggressions, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use among Black young adults: Findings from a pilot study. Frontiers in Public Health. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1694000

Smith, I., Sargent, E., Peoples, J. E., Butler-Barnes, S. T., & Leath, S. (2025). "Uncovering Responses": A Sentiment Analysis Approach to Racial Violence Among Black Parents in Missouri. SAGE Open. doi:10.1177/21582440251333174

Szlyk, H. S., Lew, D., Li, X., Filiatreau, L. M., Peoples, J. E., Kasson, E., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (2025). Mental health behaviors and suicide risk among White and Black adults with Opioid Use Disorder. Social science & medicine. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118283

Peoples, J. E., Montemayor, B. M., Tuda, D., Baiden, P., Szlyk, H. S., & Butler-Barnes, S. T. (2025). Methodological challenges and insights in research on racial discrimination and substance use among Black college students: A scoping review. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. doi:10.1007/s40615-025-02491-w

Butler-Barnes, S. T., Leath, S., Cheeks, B. L., Peoples, J. E., Smith, I., Sargent, E., Arthur, S., & Johnson, K. (2025). Navigating Racial Stress: How Black Mothers' and Fathers' Trauma Shapes Confidence in Talking About Racism. Journal of Black Psychology. doi:10.1177/00957984251385706

McGuire, F. H., Beccia, A. L., Peoples, J. E., Williams, M. R., Schuler, M. S., & Duncan, A. E. (2024). Depression at the intersection of race/ethnicity, sex/gender, and sexual orientation in a nationally representative sample of US adults: A design-weighted intersectional MAIHDA. American Journal of Epidemiology. doi:10.1093/aje/kwae121

Baiden, P., Szlyk, H. S., Peoples, J. E., Vázquez, M. M., Harrell, D. R., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (2023). Association between sexual identity, health risk behaviors, and mental health outcomes among Black adolescents: Findings from a population-based study. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports. doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2023.100511

Baiden, P., Cavazos-Rehg, P., Szlyk, H. S., Onyeaka, H. K., Peoples, J. E., Kasson, E., & Muoghalu, C. (2023). Association between sexual violence victimization and electronic vaping products use among adolescents: Findings from a population-based study. Substance Use and Misuse. doi:10.1080/10826084.2023.217796

Peoples, J. E., Butler-Barnes, S. T., Stafford, J. D., Williams, S. L., & Smith, I. (2023). Exploring the association between mental health climate and depression: the protective role of positive mental health and sense of belonging among Black college students. Journal of American college health: J of ACH. doi:10.1080/07448481.2022.2155466

Szlyk, H. S., Gutierrez, Z. M., Peoples, J. E., Baiden, P., Doroshenko, C., Li, X., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (2023). Factors associated with not ready to stop using substances among adults with an unmet treatment need: Findings from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2015-2019. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. doi:10.1080/00952990.2023.2230611

Szlyk, H. S., Li, X., Kasson, E., Peoples, J. E., Montayne, M., Kaiser, N., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (2023). How do teens with a history of suicidal behavior and self-harm interact with social media? Journal of Adolescence. doi:10.1002/jad.12154

Baiden, P., Onyeaka, H. K., Aneni, K., Wood, B., LaBrenz, C. A., Muoghalu, C., Peoples, J. E., Szlyk, H. S., Gobodzo, E. C., Baiden, J. F., Adeku, Y., Mets, V. E., Brown, F. A., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (2023). Perceived racial discrimination and polysubstance use among racial/ethnic minority adolescents in the United States. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109894

Onyeaka, H. K., Muoghalu, C., Baiden, P., Okine, L., Szlyk, H. S., Peoples, J. E., & Kasson, E. (2022). Excessive screen time behaviors and cognitive difficulties among adolescents in the United States: Results from the 2017 and 2019 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Psychiatry Research. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114740

Baiden, P., Szlyk, H. S., Cavazos-Rehg, P., Onyeaka, H. K., Peoples, J. E., & Kasson, E. (2022). Use of electronic vaping products and mental health among adolescent high school students in the United States: The moderating effect of gender. Journal of Psychiatric Research. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.050

Barry, A. E., Bates, A. M., Olusanya, O., Vinal, C. E., Martin, E., Peoples, J. E., Jackson, Z. A., Billinger, S. A., Yusuf, A., Cauley, D. A., & Montano, J. R. (2016). Alcohol marketing on Twitter and Instagram: Evidence of directly advertising to youth/adolescents. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 51(4), 487-492. doi:10.1093/alcalc/agv128

Refereed Book Chapters

Ellis, J., & Peoples, J. E. (submitted). Ecological and Strengths-Based Approaches to Risk and Resilience Among Black Emerging Adult College Students. Manuscript submitted for publication, 30 pages.

Presentations

Refereed Papers at Conferences

Moore, J., Peoples, J. E., & Renn, T. (presented 2026). Service Utilization and Screening Among U.S. College Students with Substance Use Disorder. Paper presented at Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Society for Social Work and Research. (National)

Peoples, J. E., & Pfund, G. (presented 2025). Racial Discrimination and Substance Use among Black College Students: Disentangling Real-Time Effects Using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Paper presented at College on Problems of Drug Dependence Annual Conference, College on Problems of Drug Dependence. (National)

Peoples, J. E., & Jayne, H. (presented 2023). Bridging the Research-to-Practice Gap: Leveraging your Campus' MACHB Substance Use Data to Cultivate Relationships Across Campus. Paper presented at Meeting of the Minds Annual Conference, Meeting of the Minds. (Regional)

Butler-Barnes, S. T., Leath, S., Cheeks, B., Peoples, J. E., Smith, I., Sargent, E., Devaux, A., Arthur, S., & Johnson, K. (presented 2023). Examining Race-Related Stressors, Racial Socialization Competencies, Parenting Practices, and Racial Trauma: Findings from a Community-Based Sample of Black Parents. Paper presented at American Public Health Association Annual Conference, American Public Health Association. (National)

Peoples, J. E., Baiden, P., Szlyk, H. S., Vazquez, M. M., Eugene, D. R., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (presented 2023). Examining Sexual Identity, Mental Health Outcomes, Victimization, and Health Risk Behaviors Among Black LGBQ Adolescents in the United States. Paper presented at Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Society for Social Work and Research. (National)

Peoples, J. E., Roll, S., Chun, Y., Grinstein-Weiss, M., & Marotta, P. (presented 2023). Exploring the Association between Psychological Distress, Interpersonal Stress, and Use of Substances to Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic Among U.S. Emerging Adults. Paper presented at Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood Annual Conference, Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood. (National)

McGuire, F. H., Beccia, A. L., Peoples, J. E., & Duncan, A. E. (presented 2022). Eating Disorders and Mental Health Service Use at the Intersection of Race/Ethnicity, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation: Findings from the Healthy Minds Study 2020-2021. Paper presented at American Public Health Association Annual Conference, American Public Health Association. (National)

Peoples, J. E., McGuire, F. H., Butler-Barnes, S., Baiden, P., Szlyk, H., & Duncan, A. E. (presented 2022). Examining Co-occurring Depression and Vaping Among Black College Students at the Intersection of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: Findings from the 2018-2019 Healthy Minds Study. Paper presented at American Public Health Association Annual Conference, American Public Health Association. (National)

Szlyk, H. S., Baiden, P., & Peoples, J. E. (presented 2022). Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contact, and Suicidal Behaviors Among Black Adolescents: Does Sexual Activity Matter? Paper presented at Youth Suicide Research Consortium National Conference, College on Problems of Drug Dependence. (National)

Peoples, J. E., Fentem, A., Li, X., Filiatreau, L., Riordan, R., Kasson, E., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (presented 2021). Addressing Comorbid Mental Health Symptoms and Opioid Misuse Patterns Among Opioid Use Disorder Patients in Recovery. Paper presented at American Public Health Association Annual Conference, American Public Health Association. (National)

McNeill, E. B., Wilson, K., Shipley, M., Peoples, J. E., & Carreon, A. K. (presented 2015). School Health Index: Understanding Professional Competence among Teacher Certification Candidates. Paper presented at American School Health Association's 89th Annual School Health Conference, American School Health Association. (National)

Invited Presentations at Conferences

Peoples, J. E. (presented 2025). Placing Racial Equity at the Center of Substance Use-Related Support for Black U.S. College Students. Presentation at Student Care Network Professional Development Series, Vanderbilt University. (State)

Peoples, J. E. (presented 2024). Ecological Momentary Assessment of Mechanisms Linking Racial Discrimination and Substance Use in Black College Students. Presentation at Visiting Future Faculty Program, University at Buffalo School of Social Work. (Local)

Peoples, J. E., Montemayor, B. N., & Tuda, D. (presented 2024). Exploring the Nexus between Racial Discrimination and Substance Use Among Black U.S. College Students: A Comprehensive Review. Presentation at Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery Conference, Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Drug Misuse Prevention and Recovery. (National)

Peoples, J. E. (presented 2022). The Influence of Social Media on Academic Success. Presentation at Black Doctoral Network Conversation Starters Series, Black Doctoral Network. (National)

Peoples, J. E. (presented 2022). Understanding Emotion Regulation. Presentation at National Alliance on Mental Illness St. Louis Wellness Series, National Alliance on Mental Illness St. Louis. (Local)

Refereed Presentations at Conferences

Peoples, J. E. (accepted). Co-Designing Digital Substance Use Research: Lessons from a Community-Engaged EMA Study with Black College Students. Poster presentation to be given at American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Conference, American Academy of Health Behavior. (National)

Peoples, J. E. (accepted). Disentangling Daily Between- and Within-Person Dynamics of Racial Discrimination and Alcohol and Cannabis Use Among Black College Students. Poster presentation to be given at American Academy of Health Behavior Annual Conference, American Academy of Health Behavior. (National)

Richardson, T., Cheatham, L., Peoples, J. E., & Haggard, B. (presented 2026). Investigating How Parental Education Moderates the Effects of Depression on Male College Students' Beliefs Toward Degree Completion. Poster presentation at Society for Social Work and Research, Society for Social Work and Research. (National)

Baiden, P., Wood, B., LaBrenz, C. A., Onyeaka, H. K., Aneni, K., Peoples, J. E., Szlyk, H. S., Gobodzo, E. C., Mets, V. E., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (presented 2024). Perceived Racial Discrimination and Polysubstance Use Among Racial/Ethnic Minority Adolescents in the United States. Poster presentation at Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Society for Social Work and Research. (National)

Peoples, J. E., & Olufemi, E. (presented 2023). Age Differences in the Severity of Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Conditions Among Non-Hispanic Black Adults in the United States. Poster presentation at American Public Health Association Annual Conference, American Public Health Association. (National)

Szlyk, H. S., Lew, D., Li, X., Filiatreau, L. M., Peoples, J. E., Kasson, E., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (presented 2023). Race and Mental Health among Adults with Opioid Use Disorder. Poster presentation at American Society for Addiction Medicine 54th Annual Conference, American Society for Addiction Medicine. (National)

Baiden, P., Ziminski, D., Szlyk, H. S., Okine, L., Onyeaka, H. K., Muoghalu, C., Cavazos-Rehg, P., & Peoples, J. E. (presented 2023). Understanding the Deleterious Impact of Sports- and Physical Activity-Related Concussions on Mental Health Among Adolescents: Findings from a Population-Based Study. Poster presentation at Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Society for Social Work and Research. (National)

Peoples, J. E. (presented 2022). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Among College Students: A Systematic Review Comparing Delivery Methods and Duration in Randomized Controlled Trials. Poster presentation at Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference, Society for Social Work and Research. (National)

Peoples, J. E., & Hinton, L. (presented 2022). Effective Goal Setting for College Health Professionals of Color: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators Through Understanding Lived Experiences. Presentation at American College Health Association Annual Conference, American College Health Association. (National)

Peoples, J. E., Doroshenko, C., Baiden, P., Kasson, E., Kaiser, N., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (presented 2022). Examining Factors Associated With "Lack of Readiness to Stop Using" Among U.S. Adults Needing but Not Receiving Substance Use Treatment. Poster presentation at College on Problems of Drug Dependence Annual Conference, College on Problems of Drug Dependence. (National)

Baiden, P., Cavazos-Rehg, P., Szlyk, H. S., Onyeaka, H. K., Muoghalu, C., Peoples, J. E., & Kasson, E. (presented 2022). Examining the Association Between Sexual Violence, Bullying Victimization, and Electronic Vaping Products Use Among Adolescents in the United States. Presentation at Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence, Society for Research on Adolescence. (National)

Szlyk, H. S., Li, X., Kasson, E., Peoples, J. E., & Cavazos-Rehg, P. (presented 2022). Exploring Preferences for Outreach and the Impact of Engaging with Depression-Related Social Media Content: Self-Reported Responses from Teens Who Have Experienced Self-Injury and Suicidal Ideation. Poster presentation at Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Conference, Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. (National)

Peoples, J. E., & Butler-Barnes, S. (presented 2022). Mental Health Climate on College Campuses Matters: Exploring the Influence of Campus Climate and Protective Factors on Black College Students' Mental Health. Poster presentation at American College Health Association Annual Conference, American College Health Association. (National)

Jackson, Z., Peoples, J. E., Spears-Lanoix, E., Bonner, T., & McKyer, L. (presented 2015). Mental Status & Retention of College-Aged African American Males at a PWI: A Proposed Intervention to Reduce Attrition and Increase Social Support Among African American Males. Poster presentation at Texas A&M University's Student Research Week, Texas A&M University. (National)

Contracts and Grants

Contracts and Grants Funded

Peoples, J. E. (2024–2026). Substance Use/Substance Use Disorder Research Dissertation Grant Recipient. Funded by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (R36DA059676). Total award $46,137. 

Peoples, J. E. (2023–2025). Ecological Momentary Assessment of Mechanisms Linking Racial Discrimination and Substance Use in Black College Students. Funded by Grand Challenges for Social Work. Total award $3,000. 

Contracts and Grants Pending

Peoples, J. E., Renn, T., & Moore, J. (Dec 2025). Co-Designing a Dual-User Digital Recovery Support Tool for Emerging Adults with OUD and Peer Recovery Specialists. Submitted to Collaborative Hub for Emerging Adult Recovery Research. Total award $10,000. 

Additional Research Experience

Peoples, J. E. (2022–2025). Research Assistant-Black Families, Racism, and Resilience Project. Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis. 

Peoples, J. E. (2021–2025). Research Assistant-Investigators Connecting Health and Social Media Lab. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine. 

Peoples, J. E. (2021). Research Assistant-Self and Emotions Daily Study. Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis. 

Peoples, J. E. (2014–2015). Research Assistant-Workplace Ostracism and Coping. Psychology and Africana Studies, Texas A&M University. 

Service

The Profession

Guest Reviewer for Refereed Journals

Child Psychiatry & Human Development (2025–present).

Emerging Adulthood (2025–present).

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (2025–present).

Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (2024–present).

Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2023–present).

Journal of American College Health (2023–present).

Service to Professional Associations

Conference Abstract Reviewer, Society for Social Work and Research (2025–present).

Conference Abstract Reviewer, American Public Health Association (2021–present).

Conference Abstract Reviewer, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Symposium on Collegiate Financial Well-Being (2017).

Service to Other Universities

Graduate Student Affiliate, Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, & Equity, Washington University in St. Louis (2022–2025). 

Committee Member, Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, National Alliance on Mental Illness-St. Louis (2022–2025). 

Committee Member-Data and Evaluation, Transformative Justice Design Team, Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis (2022–2025). 

Brown School PhD Student Representative, Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Washington University in St. Louis (2021–2025). 

Brown School Social Work Student Representative, PhD Administrative Committee, Washington University in St. Louis (2020–2022). 

Selection Committee Member, Vanderbilt Awards for Leadership, Vanderbilt University (2017–2020). 

Search Committee Member, Dean of Students, Vanderbilt University (2016–2020). 

Training Coordinator, 20 Certified Health Education Specialist students (2019). 

Panel Moderator, Disability in the Black Community: Exploring Visible and Invisible Disabilities, Vanderbilt University (2019). 

Assessment Committee Member, Physical Education Activities Program, Texas A&M University (2016). 

The Community

Health Promotion Section Committee Member, American College Health Association (2019–2020).

Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community Award Coordinator, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (2019–2020).

Planning Committee Member, , Residential Education Student Recognition Voting Committee, Vanderbilt University (2017).