Darren Mays

Mays is a behavioral scientist and a member of the Cancer Control Program and the Center for Tobacco Research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. His research focuses on tobacco use and other cancer risk behaviors (e.g., alcohol use and skin cancer risk behaviors). He investigates the uptake and progression of these behaviors among young people, risk factors and preventive interventions designed for population impact.

Much of his intervention research is rooted in communication science, including studies to develop messages intended for mass media campaigns and research on technology-delivered behavioral interventions. Recent studies have optimized and tested mass media messages to prevent and reduce tobacco use in young adults. Additional recent research developed and tested the efficacy of a mobile messaging tobacco cessation intervention in young adults.

May's research also has a prominent focus on tobacco policy and regulation, such as policies targeting tobacco packaging, labeling and advertising. His findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals including Tobacco Control, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, American Journal of Public Health and Addictive Behaviors.

In addition to his research, May's serves as an associate professor in the Division of Medical Oncology and assistant dean for research and tenure track faculty at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He also serves as director of training for the Center for Tobacco Research at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.

• PhD, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
• MPH, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
• BA, University of Pittsburgh