Research in Prevention Laboratory

Picture from 2026 Mediating Variables and Prevention Science Celebrating 36 Years of the Research in Prevention Laboratory and Retirement of Regents Professor David P. MacKinnon

MacKinnon Celebration March 27, 2026

Lab Area: Quantitative Psychology

Actively Recruiting Undergraduate Researchers: No

Overview

RiPL (Research in Prevention Lab) focuses on prevention research to influence public health and increase healthy behavior. Additionally, the lab conducts quantitative research focused on methodology, exploring innovative methods to analyze data gathered for research in all disciplines. Current and past projects include work developing and evaluating mediation analysis (MEDIATION), identifying risky behaviors for health problems due to impaired self-regulation (ONTOLOGY), reducing risk of obesity among adolescents (ORBIT), healthy behaviors in firefighters and police officers (IGNITE, PHLAME, and SHIELD), steroid use prevention (ATLAS), health promotion for girls (ATHENA), drug testing of student athletes (SATURN), and alcohol warning labels (ABLE).