Catharine Edith Ann Fairbairn

My work looks at the impact of space and surroundings on substance use. In particular, my work focuses on social and emotional processes driving substance use as well as the application of novel methods and measures within addiction science more broadly. In an expanding line of research I bring this work into the domain of intervention, working towards the development of social-network based alcohol treatment programs that integrate biosensor-enhanced recovery support. Our laboratory student and staff teams span across Champaign-Urbana and downtown Chicago recruitment laboratory locations.

For prospective students:

I do expect to be reviewing doctoral applications in the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. Although there are a variety of opportunities for graduate engagement in my lab, I expect to have particular opportunities for students interested in work at the intersection of addiction and social neuroscience (see EEG hyperscanning trial; collaborator Kara Federmeier) as well as social-network involved alcohol treatments and intervention research.  Additional opportunities for graduate engagement include AI and technology-linked interventions and measurement--specifically, wearable alcohol biosensor validation and development (see ongoing trial; collaborator Nigel Bosch) and AI-based tools for contextual assessment (see image-based analysis). Finally, I anticipate expanding our focus in coming years, and students interested in social and contextual factors driving cannabis use are encouraged to apply.