Experts in the Field of Alcoholism-Substance Abuse Prevention

Bio

Yan R. Xia is an associate professor in Child, Youth and Family Studies. Among other topics, she teaches addiction and violence in the family. Before joining the UNL faculty, she served as a research analyst at the Girls and Boys Town National Research Institute for Child and Family Studies. Xia’s recent research has been focused in three areas: resiliency in immigrant families; adolescent behavioral health, particularly among Asian adolescents; and Chinese marriage and family. One of her research projects examines risk and prevention of substance abuse among Vietnamese youth. Updated 9/14/23

Bio

W. Alex Mason’s research focuses on the developmental etiology and prevention of adolescent substance misuse and co-occurring psychopathology. He is particularly interested in understanding the early childhood precursors of adolescent problem and positive development, and the translation of knowledge into the development and dissemination of effective preventive interventions. He also has expertise in longitudinal methods and program evaluation. Mason received his doctorate in social psychology from the University of Nevada-Reno and completed postdoctoral training in developmental psychopathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Updated 9/14/23