Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, PhD

Dr. Celestina Barbosa-Leiker is a Professor in the College of Nursing and Executive Vice Chancellor at Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane. Dr. Barbosa-Leiker’s research focuses on substance use in underserved populations. Her research has demonstrated gender differences in the measurement of opioid withdrawal, relapse while in treatment, and predictors of relapse. Her additional line of research focuses on the transition from pregnancy to parenthood in women with substance use disorders. She is currently leading an interdisciplinary research team to assess mothers, infants, and healthcare providers in order to better care for women with opioid use disorders, as well as for women using cannabis during pregnancy. Her NIH funding largely focuses on the link between psychological risk factors (stress, depression, and substance use), quality of life, community, and brain aging in American Indians. The results of these studies will help better educate healthcare providers, inform policy, and improve standards of care.

IREACH Programs

• Native Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center for Minority Aging Research
  Pilot Project Investigator

Projects

• Psychological risk factors, quality of life, community, and brain aging in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study
  Co-Principal Investigator
• American Indian Chronic Disease Risk and Sleep Health (AI-CHERISH)
  Analyst