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Isaac Marcelo Lipkus

Professor in the School of Nursing
School of Nursing
DUMC 3322, School of Nursing, Durham, NC 27710
307 Trent Dr., School of Nursing, Durham, NC 27701-2054

Overview


Research Interests
Dr. Lipkus is interested in how risk perceptions, attitudinal, and dispositional variable (e.g., belief in a world) are related to modifying lifestyle behaviors such the prevention and detection of cancer, tobacco use, and physical activity.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor in the School of Nursing · 2009 - Present School of Nursing
Professor in Family Medicine and Community Health · 2009 - Present Family Medicine and Community Health, Clinical Science Departments
Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences · 2021 - Present Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1995 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


The interplay of perceived stress, anxiety, and depression in susceptibility to hookah tobacco smoking among young adults.

Journal Article Addictive behaviors · November 2025 IntroductionTobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., with hookah smoking particularly popular among young adults. While stress, anxiety, and depression may influence susceptibility to HTS, their role in predicting th ... Full text Cite

Ancestry-Specific Hypothetical Genetic Feedback About Lung Cancer Risk in African American Individuals Who Smoke: Cognitive, Emotional, and Motivational Effects on Cessation

Journal Article Behavioral Sciences · July 1, 2025 Genetic factors play an important role in the risk of developing lung cancer, a disease that disproportionately affects African American (AA) individuals who smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests that specific ancestry-informative genetic markers are predi ... Full text Cite

Believing in Justice for Self and Others: Independent and Interactive Effects on Perceived Healthcare Discrimination Among African Americans

Journal Article Social Justice Research · January 1, 2025 Believing in justice can enhance health, especially if one believes the world is personally fair (justice beliefs for self). However, health benefits conferred by believing in justice may be nuanced for racial minorities, whose lived experiences may also r ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke CTSA (TL1) Year 5

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2024

Optimizing Risk Messages to Promote Waterpipe Tobacco Cessation in Young Adults

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Ohio State University · 2020 - 2022

Exploring Reactions to Health Warnings on Waterpipe Tobacco Ads

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2021

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 1991 Ph.D.
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · 1988 M.A.