Education
Ph.D. – University of Arkansas, College of Education and Health Professions
M.S. – University of Arkansas, College of Education and Health Professions
B.S. – University of Arkansas, Bumpers School of Agriculture
Areas of Expertise
Tobacco Control
Health Policy
Social Media
Introduction
Dr. Dobbs’ key responsibilities include conducting cancer-related research, mentoring public health students, teaching public health courses, and providing service to the community and profession.
Credentials, Accreditations and Awards
2026 – Fellow, American Academy of Health Behavior
2024 –Faculty Gold Medal, Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Teaching Focus
Dr. Dobbs teaches classes in tobacco prevention and control providing students with knowledge of evidence-based strategies to reduce tobacco use and exposure in the U.S. and globally.
Research Overview
Dr. Dobb’s research sits at the intersection of tobacco regulation, youth behavior, and social media. She also conducts quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research to examine tobacco use behaviors and influential factors.
Recent Books or Publications
- Dobbs PD, Mahoney M, Obajaja H, Anderes R, Haqq K, Cogburn A., Primack BA. (In press; accepted February 2026). #MiniCupVape E-Cigarettes Promoted on Instagram: A Youth Participatory Action Research Approach. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
- *McCormick C, Silver N, Rodriguez Gongora S, Pearson G, Dobbs PD. (In press; accepted January 2026) Cooling the Conversation: Discourse about Menthol and Flavored Tobacco Restrictions on TikTok. Substance Use and Misuse.
- Pearson GDH, Betrand A, Panigrahi G, Dobbs PD, Schillo BA, Kreslake JM. (In press; accepted February 2026). The Role of Third-Party E-Commerce Technology in Illegal Online E-Cigarette Sales. BMJ Public Health.
- Dobbs PD, McCormick C, Murthy D, Hayek P, Kong G. (In press; accepted October 2025). Music Festivals, Exclusive Concerts, and Reward Programs: Nicotine Pouch Promotion on Social Media. Tobacco Control.
- Dobbs PD, Soule E, Mahoney M, Tabassum M, Burgess N, Henriksen L. (2025). Do-It-Yourself Flavored Capsule Cigarettes: Exploiting Potential Regulatory Loopholes? Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 27(6), 1142-1146. PMCID: PMC12095802. doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntae258
Fun Fact
Dr. Dobbs was the mascot Pork Chop at the University of Arkansas from 2007-2009.
Dr. Dobbs became a tobacco regulatory science after her mom, a health educator, demonstrated how smoke went inside the lungs using a coke bottle and a cigarette.
In EAST, she surveyed 6-12 grade students regarding their awareness and use of tobacco products.