June 12, 2025 | Emily Reier '28
Garrett Stang ’20, a doctoral candidate at Brown University’s School of Public Health, is making strides in tobacco cessation research. Growing up in North Carolina — a state known for its tobacco production — Stang witnessed firsthand the impact of smoking on communities, fueling his passion for harm reduction and public health interventions.
After earning his B.S. in Public Health at UNCW, where he was recognized as the Outstanding Public Health Graduate, Stang pursued a master’s degree in health behavior and promotion. His dedication to research has led him to national platforms, presenting findings at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) and the Research Society for Marijuana, where he earned two prestigious travel awards.
Stang was recently appointed the first-ever trainee representative on SRNT’s Treatment Network, advocating for tailored tobacco cessation strategies for minoritized communities. His work, guided by mentors at Brown, focuses on the intersection of HIV, minority stress, and tobacco use. These efforts highlight the need for stigma reduction and culturally competent interventions.
As he enters the dissertation phase of his Ph.D., Stang’s long-term goal is to continue his research as an independent academic, helping shape policies that support equitable tobacco treatment strategies.
Stang is a graduate of the UNCW College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). Learn more about CHHS news, programs, events, and more. Follow Stang’s career journey and connect with him on LinkedIn.
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