Maia’s research focuses on the genetic influences on alcohol and other substance use behaviors using deeply phenotyped, large-scale longitudinal datasets, and translating those findings into genetically-informed prevention and intervention strategies.
Department: Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Mentors: Danielle Dick, Ph.D. & Sarah Brislin, Ph.D.
Education
Ph.D. in Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 2025
M.S. in Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience, Rutgers University, 2023
B.A. in Psychology, Emory University, 2020
Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7Kdz4z4AAAAJ&hl=en
Publications
-
Trajectories of genetic risk across dimensions of alcohol use behaviors, Savage, J.E., Aliev, F., Barr, P.B., Choi, M., Drouard, G., Cooke, M., Kuo, S.I., Stephenson, M., Brislin, S.J., Neale, Z., Spit for Science Working Group, COGA Investigators, Latvala, A., Rose, R., Kaprio, J., Dick, D., Meyers, J., Salvatore, J., Posthuma, D., December 23, 2025
Addiction -
The power of parenting: mitigating conduct problems among adolescents carrying genetic risk, Choi, M.,* Dash, G.F.,* Kuo, S. I., Poore, H., Brislin, S. J., Dick, D.M. , November 5, 2025
Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry -
Development of the Comprehensive Addiction Risk Evaluation System: Initial Participant Response to an Online Personalized Feedback Program Integrating Genomic, Behavioral, and Environmental Risk Information, Dick, D.M., Choi, M., Balcke, E., Aliev, F., Patel, D., Borle, K., Austin, J. , August 20, 2025
Complex Psychiatry -
Characterizing delinquent behavior in early adolescence: Results from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development- Social Development study, Brislin, S. J., Choi, M., & Hicks, B. M. , August 19, 2025
Journal of Child and Family Studies -
Genetic, neural, psychological, and environmental factors are uniquely associated with onset of alcohol use in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, Choi, M., Aliev, F., Barr, P., Cooke, M., Kuo, S. I., Salvatore, J. E., Dick, D.M., Brislin, S. J., July 5, 2025
Translational Psychiatry -
Associations Between a Genetic Liability Toward Behavioral Undercontrol and Externalizing Outcomes Spanning Toddlerhood Through Early Adulthood in Five Developmental Cohorts, Choi M., Poore, H., Brislin, S. J., Aliev, F., Zellers, S., Saunders, G., Salvatore, J.E., Vrieze, S.I., Harden, K.P., Palmer, A.A., Raevuori, A., Latvala, A., Dick, D., April 2025
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry -
Racial Bias in School Discipline and Police Contact: Evidence from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Social Development (ABCD-SD) Study, Brislin S.J., Choi M., Perkins E.R., Ahonen L., McCoy H., Boxer P., Clark D.B., Jackson D.B., Hicks B.M. , December 2024
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry -
Initial Results from a New College Substance Use Prevention Program Targeting Externalizing and Internalizing Traits, Choi M.,* Driver M.N.,* Balcke E., Saunders T., Langberg J.M., Dick D.M., October 27, 2023
Substance Use and Misuse -
Bridging the gap between genetic epidemiological research and prevention: A randomized control trial of a novel personalized feedback program for alcohol and cannabis use, Choi M., Driver M.N., Balcke E., Saunders T., Langberg J.M., Dick D.M., August 1, 2023
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Awards & Distinctions
-
T32 Fellow, Rutgers Training in Addiction Research Program
January 2025 - January 2027
-
Student Travel Award, Behavior Genetics Association
June 2024
-
Outstanding Psychology Student Award, Oxford College, Emory University
April 2019
-
Blue and Gold Leadership Award, Oxford College, Emory University
April 2019