Samantha R Rosenthal (she/her)


Professor College of Health & Wellness Health Science Providence

Biography and Expertise

Samantha Rosenthal, Ph.D., worked on pharmaceutical and vaccine development as a chemical engineer, and developing novel medical devices and prostheses as a biomedical engineer. During her Master’s of Public Health studies, she received the Global Health Scholarship and Foreign Studies Fellowship from Brown University and traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, to conduct both qualitative research in the local townships and data analysis examining the associations between alcohol misuse and risks for HIV infection (published in AIDS Care). She continued her education to receive a PhD in Epidemiology from Brown School of Public Health in 2014. Her dissertation research focused on the transition to adulthood, particularly the influence of technology and substances in the mental health of young adults.

Rosenthal is currently involved in multiple research topics, including how social media and mobile phone screen time put young adults at risk for depression and substance use, and generally how epidemiology can be used to shape health policy and research and intervene in the progression of disease, particularly primary prevention. She works with the local state departments and legislators, conducting research and teaching on various public health topics ranging from HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, mental illness, injury and violence, emerging infectious disease, and social determinants of health.

Rosenthal is also Director of Center for Student Research & Interdisciplinary Collaboration and an Executive Committee Member for the RI-INBRE research network.

Education

PhD
Brown University

MPH
Brown University

BS
Carnegie Mellon University

10 Years of Service
Johnson& Wales University

Rosenthal, S. & Gately, K. & Philippe, S. & Baker, A. & Dawes, M. & Swanberg, J.
Everyday discrimination and mental health among sexual and gender minority adults: The moderating role of self-compassion.
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

Jacob, S. & Gately, K. & Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S.
Internet gaming disorder and prescription drug misuse: Associations by student status
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
23
3
386

Ziobrowski, H. & Fleur, R. & Rosenthal, S.
Childhood adversity subgroups and their associations with mental health symptoms among Rhode Island young adults
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Ury, B. & Yang, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Barker, D. & McGeary, J. & Dunsiger, S. & Grigsby-Toussaint, D.
Associations between subjective and objective green space on children’s mental health and cognitive function
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
114
129156

Noel, J. & Nosal, A. & Gately, K. & Rosenthal, S.
Associations between restrictive masculinity and depression across sexual and gender identities
Rhode Island Medical Journal
108
6
11-15

Noel, J. & Gately, K. & Bradford, C. & Canadas, H. & Rosenthal, S.
Brain injury and problem gambling among Rhode Island young adults
Rhode Island Medical Journal
108
6
28-32

Noel, J. & Strong, S. & Sammartino, C. & Gately, K. & Rosenthal, S.
Effects of delaying healthcare on mental health of college students
College Student Affairs
43
1
82-101

Noel, J. & Jacob, S. & Hicks, S. & Gately, K. & Rosenthal, S.
Insomnia and pornography addiction in Rhode Island young adults
Rhode Island Medical Journal
108
6
16-21

Noel, J. & Morais, M. & Nosal, A. & Gately, K. & Ramsland Short, K. & Rosenthal, S.
Measuring restrictive masculinity: Development and implementation within university students
Social Sciences
14
2
106

Noel, J. & Jacob, S. & Borden, S. & Gately, K. & Rosenthal, S.
Method of accessing alcohol and binge drinking status in youth and young adults
Alcohol & Alcoholism
60
1
agae087

Noel, J. & Strong, S. & Millier, S. & Gately, K. & Rosenthal, S.
Period poverty and mental health among students attending a US university
Journal of American College Health
73
10
3813-20

Rosenthal, S. & Oliviera, L. & Avila, A. & Gately, K. & Barkley, J. & Ahamiojie, J. & Noel, J.
The behavioral health harms of youth exposure to gun violence: A Rhode Island example
Rhode Island Medical Journal
108
6
39-44

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Edwards, Z. & Palmieri, K.
Digital alcohol and cannabis ads, consumption frequency, and driving under the influence
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
85
4
468-476

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Jacob, S.
Internet, app-based, and casino gambling: Associations between modality, problem gambling, and substance use
Journal of Gambling Studies
40
3
1-14

Swanberg, J. & Swanberg, J. & Archibad, N. & Baker, A. & Swanberg, J. & Swanberg, J.
Substance misuse among sexual and gender minorities: The role of everyday discrimination and identity
Substance Use & Misuse
58 1874–1882
14
1874–1882

Rosenthal, S. & Roberts, K. & Borden, S.
Project SUCCESS: Youth Substance use and Mental Health
Journal of Drug Education

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Torres, J. & Gately, K. & Borden, S.
Driving after substance use in Rhode Island adolescents: A cross-sectional analysis of surveillance data
Traffic Injury Prevention
25
4
562-570

Noel, J. & Tudela, S. & Rosenthal, S.
Sexual minority status, illicit drug use, and depressive symptoms
Journal of LGBT Youth
21
3
490-506

Rosenthal, S. & Noel, J. & Skierkowski-Foster, D. & Gately, K. & Borden, S.
Perceived parent and peer substance use disapproval and perceptions of harm among youth before and after COVID-19 lockdowns
Journal of Substance Use
1-6

Rosenthal, S. & Sonido, P. & Sammartino, C. & Swanberg, J. & Noel, J.
Brain injury and substance use in young adults: The need for integrating care
Rhode Island Medical Journal
106
3
17-22

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Skierkowski-Foster, D. & Borden, S.
Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on substance use among middle school and high school students: A natural experiment
Public Health Reports
138
2
349-56

Rosenthal, S. & Kately, K. & Philippe, S. & Alison, B. & Swanberg, J.
Everyday Discrimination and Mental Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults: The Moderating Role of Self-Compassion
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

Noel, J. & Jacob, S. & Swanberg, J. & Rosenthal, S.
Pornography: A concealed behavior with serious consequences
Rhode Island Medical Journal
106
3
42-7

Rosenthal, S. & Noel, J. & Edwards, Z. & Sammartino, C. & Swanberg, J.
Risk factors for suicide ideation among Rhode Island college students
Rhode Island Medical Journal
106
3
23-8

Noel, J. & Sammartino, C. & Johnson, M. & Swanberg, J. & Rosenthal, S.
Smartphone Addiction and Mental Illness In Rhode Island young adults
Rhode Island Medical Journal
106
3
35-41

Rosenthal, S. & Tobin, A. & Drammeh, A. & Swanberg, J. & Noel, J.
The mental health burden of racial discrimination in young adults in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Medical Journal
106
3
23-8

Swanberg, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Benitez, A. & Noel, J.
The mental health consequences of losing a loved one to COVID-19
Rhode Island Medical Journal
106
3
11-6

Swanberg, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Benitez, A. & Noel, J.
The Mental Health Consequences of Losing a Loved One to COVID-19
R I Medicine Journal
106
3
11-16

Zawadzki, A. & Mosley, A. & Badua, A. & Swanberg, J. & Swanberg, S.
Occupational injustice and the right to play: A systematic review of accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities
American Journal of Occupational Therapy
77
2

Rosenthal, S. & Gately, K. & Archibald, N. & Baker, A. & Dawes, M. & Swanberg, J.
Substance Misuse among Sexual and Gender Minorities: The Role of Everyday Discrimination and Identity
Substance Use & Misuse
58
14
1874-1882

Rosenthal, S. & Tobin, A.
Self-esteem only goes so far: the moderating effect of social media screen time on self-esteem and depressive symptoms
Behaviour & Information Technology
42
15
2688-2695

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S.
Impact of alcohol home delivery and other methods of obtaining alcohol in young adults
Alcohol and Alcoholism
58
6
606-611

Gately, K. & Baker, A. & Dawes, M. & Swanberg, J. & Rosenthal, S.
Health Equity & Occupational Justice: Examining the Association Between Disability & Health Care Discrimination Among Sexual & Gender Minorities
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
77
Supplement_2
7711505079p1-7711505079p1

Gasik, R. & Pearlman, D. & Rosenthal, S. & Dunsiger, S.
The Impact of Police Response on Intimate Partner Violence Victims’ Social, Emotional, and Physical Well-Being: Results From the National Crime Victimization Survey
Violence and Victims
38
2
167-184

Gately, K. & Zawadzki, A. & Mosley, A. & Badua, A. & Swanberg, J. & Rosenthal, S.
Occupational Injustice and the Right to Play: A Systematic Review of Accessible Playgrounds for Children With Disabilities
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy
77
2

Rosenthal, S. & Sonido, P. & Tobin, A. & Sammartino, C. & Noel, J.
Breaking down barriers: Young adult interest and use of telehealth for behavioral health services
Rhode Island Medical Journal
105
1
26-31

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Sammartino, C.
Correlates of gambling and gambling problems among Rhode Island young adults: A cross-sectional study
Journal of Public Health
45
2
e164-e170

Rosenthal, S. & Wensley, I. & Noel, J.
Eliminating Disparities in Young Adult Tobacco Use: The Need for Integrated Behavioral Healthcare
Rhode Island Medical Journal
105
2
38-42

Noel, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Sammartino, C.
Exposure to alcohol marketing and alcohol-related consequences in young adults
Substance Use & Misuse
57
7
1156-9

Noel, J. & Tudela, S. & Jacob, S. & Rosenthal, S.
Gambling: A ubiquitous behavior among Rhode Island’s young adults
Rhode Island Medical Journal
105
3
46-50

Noel, J. & Jacob, S. & Wensley, I. & Rosenthal, S.
Subjective smartphone screen time and co-morbid mental illness
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science
7
4
578-87

Rosenthal, S. & Li, Y. & Wensley, I. & Perez, D. & Gately, K.
Smartphone Addiction and Traffic Accidents: the Moderating Role of Texting While Driving
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science
7
3
406-413

Rosenthal, S. & Li, Y. & Gately, K.
Smartphone Addiction and Pedestrian Accidents Among US College Students
Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science
7
4
524-531

Noel, J. & Lahkan, H. & Sammartino, C. & Rosenthal, S.
Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in First Generation College Students
Journal of American College Health
1-10

Rosenthal, S. & Pearlman, D. & Field, M. & Sammartino, C. & Noel, J.
Inequities laid bare: The mental health of young adults in Rhode Island during the covid-19 pandemic
Rhode Island Medical Journal
104
10
36-41

Li, Y. & Rosenthal, S.
Food insecurity and obesity among US young adults: the moderating role of biological sex and the mediating role of diet healthfulness
Public Health Nutrition
24
15
5058-5065

Rosenthal, S. & Zhou, J. & Booth, S.
Association between mobile phone screen time and depressive symptoms among college students: A threshold effect
Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies
3
3
432-440

Noel, J. & Sammartino, C. & Rosenthal, S.
Exposure to Digital Alcohol Marketing and Alcohol Use: A Systematic Review
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Supplement
s19
57-67

Buka, S. & Rosenthal, S. & Lacy, M.
Epidemiological Study Designs: Traditional and Novel Approaches to Advance Life Course Health Development Research
Springer International Publishing
541-560

Rosenthal, S. & Clark, M. & Marshall, B. & Buka, S. & Carey, K. & Shepardson, R. & Carey, M.
Alcohol consequences, not quantity, predict major depression onset among first-year female college students
Addictive Behaviors
85
70-76

Rosenthal, S. & Cha, Y. & Clark, M.
The Internet Addiction Test in a Young Adult U.S. Population
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking
21
10
661-666

Servadio, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Carlson, L. & Bauer, C.
Climate patterns and mosquito-borne disease outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia
Journal of Infection and Public Health
11
4
566-571

Zhang, J. & Joshi, R. & Sun, J. & Rosenthal, S. & Tong, M. & Li, C. & Rampatige, R. & Mooney, M. & Lopez, A. & Yan, L.
A feasibility study on using smartphones to conduct short-version verbal autopsies in rural China
Population Health Metrics
14
1

Rosenthal, S. & Buka, S. & Marshall, B. & Carey, K. & Clark, M.
Negative Experiences on Facebook and Depressive Symptoms Among Young Adults
Journal of Adolescent Health
59
5
510-516

Rosenthal, S. & Ostfeld, R. & McGarvey, S. & Lurie, M. & Smith, K.
Redefining disease emergence to improve prioritization and macro-ecological analyses
One Health
1
17-23

Khokhawalla, S. & Rosenthal, S. & Pearlman, D. & Triche, E.
Cigarette smoking and emergency care utilization among asthmatic adults in the 2011 Asthma Call-back Survey
Journal of Asthma
52
7
732-739

Rosenthal, S. & Vivier, P. & Rogers, M. & Saadeh, F. & Clark, M.
Measures of Neighborhood Quality: Self-reports of Mothers of Infant Children
Journal of Child and Family Studies
24
5
1256-1261

Townsend, L. & Rosenthal, S. & Parry, C. & Zembe, Y. & Mathews, C. & Flisher, A.
Associations between alcohol misuse and risks for HIV infection among men who have multiple female sexual partners in Cape Town, South Africa
AIDS Care
22
12
1544-1554

A Mindfulness Meditation Intervention in a Public Health Class: Student Outcomes and Future Directions
Poster
Johnson and Wales University
Providence

Bullying victimization, perpetration and mental health outcomes: Findings from the Rhode Island Student Survey
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Washington
DC
United States

Mindfulness Intervention in a public health class: Student Outcomes, Practical Strategies & Future Directions
Poster
Faculty Expo
Johnson and Wales University
Providence

The impact of the legalization of sports betting on gambling behaviors in Rhode Island young adults: Findings from the Rhode Island Young Adult Survey
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Washington
DC
United States

Use and risk perceptions of psychedelics in young adults: Findings from the 2022 and 2024 Rhode Island Young Adult Survey
Oral Presentation
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Washington
DC
United States

Driving after non-medical prescription drug use: Prevalence and correlates in Rhode Island adolescents
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Atlanta
GA

Gambling and sports betting in university students: The effect of advertising
Poster
Johnson & Wales University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
RI

The Mental Health Consequences of Losing a Loved One to COVID-19.
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium;
Providence
RI

The Mental Health Consequences of Losing a Loved One to COVID-19.
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference
Warwick
RI

Transcending Boundaries: A Qualitative Exploration of Healthcare Experiences among Sexual and Gender Minorities.
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association
Providence
RI

Brain Injury and Substance Use in Young Adults: The Need for Integrating Care.
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference
Providence

Brain Injury and Substance Use in Young Adults: The Need for Integrating Care.
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference
Providence

Brain Injury and Substance Use in Young Adults: The Need for Integrating Care.
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Cultivating a Sense of Belonging Through Experiential Learning by Engaging Students in Advocating for Health Equity
Poster
Transformative Approaches Expo 2022. Johnson & Wales University
Providence

Everyday discrimination and mental health among sexual and gender minorities: The moderating role of self-compassion.
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Factors for Suicide Ideation Among College Students in Rhode Island
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Factors for Suicide Ideation Among College Students in Rhode Island
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference
Providence

Occupational injustice and the right to play: A systematic review of accessible playgrounds for children with disabilities.
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Pornography: A Concealed Behavior with Serious Consequences.
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Pornography: A Concealed Behavior with Serious Consequences.
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference.
Providence

Prioritizing the health care worker: A systematic review of rapid response mental health interventions during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic,
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Smartphone Addiction in Rhode Island Young Adults: A Pathway to Poor Mental Health.
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference
Providence

Smartphone Addiction in Rhode Island Young Adults: A Pathway to Poor Mental Health.
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Substance misuse among sexual and gender minorities: The role of everyday discrimination and identity
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

The Mental Health Burden of Racial Discrimination in Young Adults
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference
Providence

Addressing the Knowledge Gap: Exploring the Relationship Between Healthcare Discrimination and Disability Status Among Sexual and Gender Minorities.
Poster
Johnson & Wales University, Student Research, Design, & Innovation Symposium
Providence

Addressing the Knowledge Gap: Exploring the Relationship Between Healthcare Discrimination and Disability Status Among Sexual and Gender Minorities.
Poster
Rhode Island Public Health Association 2023 Inaugural Public Health Conference;
Providence

Health Equity & Occupational Justice: Examining the Association Between Disability & Health Care Discrimination Among Sexual & Gender Minorities
Poster
American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire 2023 Annual Conference
American Occupational Therapy Association
Kansas City Convention Center
Kansas City
MO
United States

Adverse Childhood Experiences in Rhode Island: A Closer Look
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Boston
MA

Changes in substance use and availability among Rhode Island youth related to COVID-19 lockdowns: A natural experiment
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Boston
MA

Perceived Parent-, Peer-, and Self-Perceptions of Substance Use Harm among Rhode Island Youth Before and After COVID-19 Lockdowns
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Boston
MA

Recent trends and disparities in traumatic brain injuries in Rhode Island
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Boston
MA

Smartphone Screen Time and Co-morbid Mental Illness in University Students
Poster
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition
American Public Health Association
Boston
MA

Sports betting among Rhode Island young adults: A cross-sectional study
Poster
Johnson & Wales University Faculty Showcase
Johnson & Wales University
Providence
RI

Workplace discrimination among sexual and gender minorities
Population Health at Work: Improving the World and Ourselves. 2022 American Psychological Association Conference
American Psychological Association
Minneapolis
MN