Carla J. Berg, PhD, MBA, LP is a Professor in the Department of Prevention and Community Health in the Milken Institute School of Public Health and the Associate Center Director for Population Sciences and Policy within the George Washington Cancer Center. She received her Ph.D. in clinical health psychology from the University of Kansas, completed her residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School in behavioral medicine, and then completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Medicine. She also completed her MBA at Emory University in 2017. She was faculty at Emory from 2009 to 2019, transitioning to George Washington University in the Summer of 2019. Her research primarily focuses on sociocontextual factors related to substance use, particularly tobacco and marijuana, ranging from macro-level factors such as policy and marketing to interpersonal and individual factors (e.g., psychological, biological). She has also conducted research regarding health behaviors and quality of life among cancer survivors. Methodologically, she has conducted large-scale survey studies involving both cross-sectional and longitudinal designs, mixed-methods studies, and individual- and community-level randomized controlled trials.
Below is a list of some of prominent research projects on which she serves as PI or MPI:
The Emory-Georgia Clean Air Research and Education (CARE) Program (D43 ES030927-01; MPIs: Berg, Marsit, Sturua); 07/2019 to 07/2024; Description: The goal of this five-year project is to develop capacity to conduct research on the impact of environmental exposures on non-communicable diseases, with a focus on air and environmental tobacco smoke, in the Republic of Georgia. Study link: pending
iQOS Marketing and Consumer Behavior in Israel and the US: Translating Existing Evidence to Advance US Regulation (R01CA239178-01A1; MPIs: Berg, Levine); 09/2019 to 09/2022; Description: Over the course of three years, this study will examine the marketing practices of Philip Morris International in promoting the heat-not-burn product IQOS and the impact on consumer behavior among Israeli adults. Study link: pending
VAPES (Vape shop Advertising, Place characteristics, and Effects Surveillance): Regulatory Impact on Vape Shops and Young Adults’ Use of ENDS (R01CA215155-01A1; PI: Berg); 12/2017 to 12/2022; Description: Over the course of four years when FDA regulatory activities will occur, this study will examine vape shop landscape, marketing practices of vape shops, and the impact on young adult e-cigarette use in 6 US cities.
GATHER (Georgia and Armenia Teams for Healthy Environments and Research): Smoke-free Air Coalitions in Georgia and Armenia: A Community Randomized Trial (R01TW010664-01; MPIs: Berg, Kegler); 08/2017 to 08/2022; Description: The goal of this research capacity building grant is to test the efficacy of a local community coalitions in promoting local smoke-free policies in Georgia and Armenia and ultimately the impact on secondhand smoke exposure.
DECOY (Documenting Experiences with Cigarettes and Other tobacco in Young adults): Market Research to Predict Emerging Tobacco Product Use in Diverse Young Adults (R01CA179422-01; PI: Berg); 09/2013 to 08/2018; Description: A five-year grant aimed at using market research to identify and characterize young adults at high-risk for tobacco use, focusing on alternative and emerging tobacco products.
MOCSIE (Matching of Consumers to Social Media Interactions on E-cigarettes): Policy, Advertising and Social Media Related to E-cigarette Consumer Behavior (1R21CA198455-01; PI: Berg); 07/2015 to 06/2017; Description: A two-year grant to 1) examine the association between e-cigarette Twitter activity and e-cigarette purchasing behavior; 2) examine tobacco control policies and e-cigarette advertising in relation to e-cigarette Twitter activity; and 3) model e-cigarette purchasing through tobacco control policies, e-cigarette advertising, and e-cigarette Twitter activity over time and across states.
Social Suspect: Innovative Web-Based Intervention for Smoking Cessation among College Students (1R43TR000358-01; PI: Berg); 08/2012 to 08/2013; Description: A one-year small business grant to develop a web-based health behavior intervention to market to vendors near college campuses to promote health-related goods and services.
AWAKE (Achieving Wellness After Kancer in Early life): Promoting Quality of Life Among Young Adult Cancer Survivors (Winship Cancer Institute Inve$ts; PI: Berg); 03/2016 to 02/2017; Description: A one-year grant aimed at testing a technology-based, coach-assisted intervention aimed at promoting hope and goal-oriented thinking among young adults post cancer diagnosis and treatment.
AWAIT (Achieving Wellness After Illness in Teens): Improving Health-Promoting Behaviors in Adolescent Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Trial (Woodruff Health Science Center Synergy Grant; MPIs: Effinger, Mertens, Berg); 10/2017 to 09/2018; Description: A one-year grant aimed at promoting physical activity and nutrition via a technology-based intervention among pediatric cancer patients post cancer diagnosis and treatment. Study link: pending