Kristen Clements-Nolle, Ph.D., MPH

Summary

Kristen Clements-Nolle's research focuses on social and psychological factors that contribute to and mitigate poor health outcomes across the lifespan. Much of her current research focuses on understanding the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on a range of adolescent health outcomes. Grounded in positive youth development, she also investigates whether internal resilience and positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can buffer the impact of ACEs on behavioral health outcomes. 

Honors and awards

• Foundation Professor, University of Nevada, Reno, 2025
• Regents Academic Graduate Advisor Award, Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, 2023
• University Academic Advisor Award (Graduate), University of Nevada, Reno, 2022
• F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher of the Year, University of Nevada, Reno, 2013

Current research funding

• Essentials for Childhood (EfC) in Nevada: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences through Data to Action, 2023 to 2028
  • Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Identifying No. NU81CD002075-01-00
  • Role: Principal investigator
• Nevada System of Care for Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance, 2025 to 2028
  • Funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Evaluation Subgrant from the Nevada Division of Children and Family Services
  • Identifying No. SM-23-013
  • Role: Principal investigator
• Promoting Adolescent Health and Well-Being Through School-Based Surveillance and the What Works in Schools Program Nevada Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 2024 to 2029
  • Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Identifying No. DP-24-0139
  • Role: Co-principal investigator with Wei Yang
• Nevada High School, Middle School, Tribal School Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 2025 to 2027
  • Supplemental funding to augment CDC-PDP-24-0139 State General Funding through AB 331
  • Role: Co-principal investigator with Wei Yang

Selected publications

2025

• *Barr, H. K., Clements-Nolle, K., Lensch, T. & Yang, W. (2025). Risk and protective factors for driving under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and both substances in a population-based sample of high school students. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 30(1), 2-12.

2024

• Pearson, J. L., *Powers, M., **Drake, C., Yang, Y., FitzGerald, C. A., Green, D., Cruz, T. H. & Clements-Nolle, K. (2024). Increasing lifetime and past 30-day marijuana use among middle school students regardless of recreational marijuana sales. Addictive Behaviors, 153, 107999.

2023

• **Thomas, S., Clements-Nolle, K., Wagner, K. D., Omay, S., Lu, M. & Yang, W. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences, antenatal stressful life events and marijuana use during pregnancy: A population-based study. Preventive Medicine, 174, 107656.
• *Diedrick, M., Clements-Nolle, K., *Anderson, M. & Yang, Y. (2023). Adverse childhood experiences and clustering of high-risk behaviors among high school students. Public Health, 221, 39-45.
• **Thomas, S., Clements-Nolle, K., Wagner, K. D., Omaye, S., Lu, M. & Yang, W. (2023). Protective environmental factors and nonmedical use of prescription opioids among sexual minority youth. American Journal of Health Behavior, 47(3), 618-627.
• Lensch, T., **Drake, C., Clements-Nolle, K. & Pearson, J. (2023). Multilevel risk and protective factors for frequent and non-frequent past 30-day marijuana use: Findings from a representative sample of high school youth. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 84(4), 508-519.
• **Drake, C., **Sloan, K., *Anderson, M., Clements-Nolle, K. & Pearson, J. (2023). “I like the vibes it gives”: Adolescent perspectives on cannabis billboards and print advertising in Nevada. Journal of Drug Issues. Advance online publication.
• **Thomas, S. A., Wagner, K. D., Clements-Nolle, K., Omaye, S., Lu, M. & Yang, W. (2023). Associations between circumstances surrounding overdose and underlying classes of polysubstance overdose deaths. Substance Use and Misuse, 58(3), 434-443.

2022

• **Sanchez, L., Oman, R. F., *Lensch, T., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, Y. (2022). Youth assets and initiation of sexual intercourse by family structure: A longitudinal cohort study. Health Education & Behavior, 49(6), 985-992.
• Clements-Nolle, K., *Lensch, T., **Drake, C. & Pearson, J. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences and past 30-day marijuana use among middle and high school students: The protective influence of families and schools. Addictive Behaviors, 130, 107280.

2021

• *Lensch, T., Clements-Nolle, K., Oman, R., Evans, W., Lu, M. & Yang, W. (2021). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and co-occurring psychological distress and substance abuse among juvenile offenders: The role of protective factors. Public Health.

2020

• *Lensch, T., **Sloan, K., **Ausmus, J., Pearson, J. L., Clements-Nolle, K., Goodman, S. & Hammond, D. (2020). Cannabis use and driving under the influence: Behaviors and attitudes by state-level legal sale of recreational cannabis. Preventive Medicine. Advance online publication.
• *Lensch, T., Clements-Nolle, K., Oman, R., Evans, W., Lu, M. & Yang, W. (2020). Adverse childhood experiences and suicidal behaviors among youth: The buffering influence of family communication and school connectedness. Journal of Adolescent Health. Advance online publication.
• Clements-Nolle, K., *Lensch, T., Yang, Y., *Martin, H., Peek, J. & Yang, W. (2020). Attempted suicide among adolescents in military families: The mediating role of adverse childhood experiences. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication.
• *Williams, L., Clements-Nolle, K., *Lensch, T. & Yang, W. (2020). Exposure to adverse childhood experiences and early initiation of e-vapor product use in a representative sample of middle school students. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 11, 100266.
• *Lensch, T., Clements-Nolle, K., Oman, R., Lu, M. & Evans, W. (2020). Prospective relationships between youth assets, negative life events and binge drinking in a longitudinal cohort of youth. Annals of Epidemiology, 46, 24-30.
• **Moser, L., Oman, R. F., Lensch, T. & Clements-Nolle, K. (2020). Prospective associations among youth assets and alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in a Hispanic youth population. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 42(2), 235-247.

2019

• *Lensch, T., Clements-Nolle, K., Oman, R. & Lu, M. (Accepted, 2019). A longitudinal study of the protective influence of youth assets on juvenile arrest. Journal of Public Health. Advance online publication.
• Clements-Nolle, K., Oman, R., Lu, M., *Lensch, T. & **Moser, L. (2019). Youth assets and alcohol-related problems among male and female youth: Results from a longitudinal cohort study. Preventive Medicine, 123, 192-196.
• Clements-Nolle, K. & **Waddington, R. (2019). Adverse childhood experiences and emotional distress among juvenile offenders: The protective influence of internal resilience and youth assets. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(1), 49-55.
• *Lensch, T., Clements-Nolle, K., Oman, R. F., Lu, M. & **Dominguez, A. (2019). The prospective impact of individual, family and community youth assets on adolescent suicide ideation. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 73(3), 219-224.
• **Yang, M., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, Y. (2019). Adolescent concussion and mental health outcomes: A population-based study. American Journal of Health Behavior, 43(2), 258-265.
• Fu, Y., Burns, R. D., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, W. (2019). Associations between selected dietary behaviors and physical activity in adolescents. Health Behavior and Policy Review, 6(1), 79-87.
• Oman, R. F., *Lensch, T., Amroussia, N., Clements-Nolle, K., Lu, M. & Yang, Y. (2019). The revised youth asset survey (YAS-R). American Journal of Health Promotion, 33(1), 292-296.
• *Reinhardt, J., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, W. (2019). Physical fighting among male and female adolescents of military families: Results from a representative sample of high school students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(1), 115-134. Advance online publication.

2018

• Li, Y., Yuan, Z., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, W. (2018). Sexual orientation and depressive symptoms among high school students in Jiangxi province. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 30(7), 635-643.
• Li, C., Yuan, Z., Clements-Nolle, K., Fu, L., Deadmond, M. & Yang, W. (2018). Physical activity and overweight/obesity among academically stressed adolescents. Biostatistics and Epidemiology International Journal, 1(2), 40-46.
• Burns, R. D., Fu, Y., Brusseau, T. A., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, W. (2018). Relationships among physical activity, sleep duration and academic achievement in a representative sample of adolescents. Preventive Medicine Reports, 12, 71-74.
• Oman, R. F., Clements-Nolle, K., Lu, M., **Dominguez, A. & *Lensch, T. (2018). An investigation of youth assets and physical activity and BMI using a longitudinal cohort design. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(8), 1751-1754.
• Oman, R. F., Vesley, S. K., Clements-Nolle, K. & Fluhr, J. (2018). Teen pregnancy prevention in group homes: Recruiting and retention considerations. American Journal of Public Health, 108(S1), S9-S10.
• Oman, R., Vesley, S., Green, J., Clements-Nolle, K. & Lu, M. (2018). Effects of a teen pregnancy prevention intervention on youth living in group care homes: Results of a cluster randomized clinical trial. American Journal of Public Health, 108(S1), S38-S44.
• *Gay, C., Clements-Nolle, K., Packham, J., Ackerman, G., *Lensch, T. & Yang, W. (2018). Community level exposure to the rural mining industry: The potential influence on early adolescent alcohol and tobacco use. Journal of Rural Health, 34(3), 304-313.
• Clements-Nolle, K., *Lensch, T., Baxa, A., *Gay, C., Larson, S. & Yang, W. (2018). Sexual identity, adverse childhood experiences and suicidal behaviors. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62, 198-204.

2017

• Green, J., Oman, R. F., Lu, M. & Clements-Nolle, K. (2017). Long-term improvements in knowledge and psychosocial factors of a teen pregnancy prevention intervention implemented in group homes. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(6), 698-705.
• Clements-Nolle, K., *Larson, S., *Buttar, A. & **Dermid-Gray, L. (2017). Childhood maltreatment and unprotected sex among female juvenile offenders: Evidence of mediation by substance abuse and psychological distress. Women's Health Issues, 27(2), 188-195.

2016

• Lan, G., Yuan, Z., Clements-Nolle, K., Cook, A., Yuan, L., Xu, Q., Jiang, H., Zheng, H., Wang, L. & Yang, W. (2016). Social capital and quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS in Southeast China. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 28(4), 325-335.
• Clements-Nolle, K., *Lensch, T., Larson, S. & Yang, W. (2016). Prevalence and correlates of any and frequent synthetic cannabinoid use in a representative sample of high school students. Substance Use & Misuse, 51(9), 1139-1146.

2015

• *Frankenberger, D. J., Clements-Nolle, K. & Yang, W. (2015). The association between adverse childhood experiences and drinking during pregnancy in a population-based sample of women. Women's Health Issues, 25(6), 688-695.

2014

• Clements-Nolle, K., *Buttar, A., **Dermid-Gray, L., **Peterson, T. & **Esp, A. (2014). Use of Craigslist to hook up: Age differences in sexual requests, disease status disclosure and negotiated safety. Journal of Public Health, 113-117.

2013

• *Buttar, A., Clements-Nolle, K., Haas, J. & Reese, F. (2013). Dating violence, emotional distress and attempted suicide among female adolescents involved with the juvenile justice system. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 19(2), 101-112.
• Clements-Nolle, K. & **Rivera, C. (2013). The epidemiology of adolescent health. In O'Donohue, W., Benuto, L. & Woodward, L. (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent health psychology. New York: Springer Publishers.

2012

• *Noffsinger, S., Clements-Nolle, K., Lee, W., Bacon, R., Albers, E. & Yang, W. (2012). Substance use and fighting among male and female high school youth: A brief report. Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 21(2), 105-116.

2010

• *Mburia, A., Clements-Nolle, K., Lee, W., Shadley, M. & Yang, W. (2010). Intimate partner abuse and depression in a population-based sample of women: Can social support help? Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(12), 2258-2278.

2009

• Clements-Nolle, K., *Wolden, M. & **Bargmann-Losche, J. (2009). Childhood trauma and risk for past and future suicide attempts among women in prison. Women's Health Issues, 19(3), 185-192.

2008

• Clements-Nolle, K., Marx, R., Pendo, M., Loughran, E., Estes, M. & Katz, M. (2008). Highly active antiretroviral therapy use and risk behaviors among individuals who are HIV infected and were recently released from jail. American Journal of Public Health, 98(4), 661-666.
• Clements-Nolle, K., Guzman, R. & **Harris, S. (2008). Sex trade in a male-to-female transgender population: Psychosocial correlates of inconsistent condom use. Sexual Health, 5(1), 49-54.

2007

• Devereux, P., Clements-Nolle, K., Clodfelter, S., **Bargmann-Losche, J., Feroro, M. & Yang, W. (2007). HIV-positive individuals released from Nevada's prisons in 2001: Results from matching health divisions' and corrections' databases. Journal of the Nevada Public Health Association, 4(1), 11-16.

2006

• Clements-Nolle, K., Marx, R. & Katz, M. (2006). Attempted suicide among transgender persons: The influence of gender-based discrimination and victimization. Journal of Homosexuality, 51(3), 53-69.

2005

• Clements-Nolle, K., Ballard-Reisch, D. S., Todd, R. L. & *Jenkins, T. (2005). Findings from Nevada's academic-practice collaboration: Possibilities outside an academic center for public health preparedness. Public Health Reports, 120(Suppl 1), 100-108.

2002

• Clements-Nolle, K. & *Bachrach, A. (2002).Community based participatory research with a hidden population: The transgender community health project. In M. Minkler & N. Wallerstein (Eds.), Community-based participatory research for health. New Jersey: Jossey-Bass Publishing.

2001

• Kellogg, T. A., Clements-Nolle, K., Dilley, J., Katz, M. H. & McFarland, W. (2001). Incidence of human immunodeficiency virus among male-to-female transgendered persons in San Francisco. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 28(4), 380-384.
• Clements-Nolle, K., Marx, R., Guzman, R. & Katz, M. (2001). HIV prevalence, risk behaviors, health care use and mental health status of transgender persons in San Francisco: Implications for public health intervention. American Journal of Public Health, 91(6), 915-921.
• Clements-Nolle, K., Wilkinson, W., Kitano, K. & Marx, R. (2001). HIV prevention and health service needs of the transgender community in San Francisco. In W. Bockting & S. Kirk (Eds.), Transgender and HIV: Risks, prevention and care. New York: The Haworth Press.

2000

• Minkler, M., Shauffler, H. & Clements-Nolle, K. (2000). Health promotion for older Americans in the 21st century. American Journal of Health Promotion, 14(6), 371-379.

* primary advisor or mentor for student author

** student author

Education

• Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of California, Berkeley
• MPH in Behavioral Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley