Key Points
- Andy Tan elected 2026 Fellow of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.
- Recognition cites research contributions, leadership, and mentoring.
- Tan directs the Health Communication & Equity Lab at Penn.
- His work examines marketing and media impacts on nicotine-related behaviors.
- Fellows will be recognized at SRNT’s 32nd Annual Meeting in Baltimore.
2Firsts, February 22, 2026
According toAnnenberg School for Communication, Andy Tan, associate professor at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, has been elected a 2026 Fellow of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT).
SRNT Fellows are selected based on outstanding research contributions to nicotine and tobacco science, as well as demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and engagement in advancing policy or practice related to tobacco and nicotine products.
Tan directs the Health Communication & Equity Lab at Annenberg. His research program focuses on advancing communication science to achieve health equity. He studies the effects of marketing, media exposure, and public health messaging on health behaviors and outcomes among diverse populations, including young adults, socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
His research has been funded by agencies including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Tan has also published widely in peer-reviewed journals, and his work has been cited by media outlets such as CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and NBC News.
In March 2025, Tan testified before the Philadelphia City Council Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services regarding measures to restrict youth access to nicotine and tobacco products.
The 2026 class of SRNT Fellows will be recognized at the society’s 32nd Annual Meeting, scheduled to take place in Baltimore, Maryland.
Founded as a professional association dedicated exclusively to nicotine and tobacco research, SRNT supports researchers, academics, treatment professionals, and policymakers across more than 40 countries.
(Cover Image:Andy Tan, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., M.B.B.S.| Image source: Annenberg School for Communication)
