After serving as interim chief research and science officer since July 2025, Michelle R. Lent, PhD, has been permanently appointed to the role.
A faculty member of the School of Professional and Applied Psychology since 2017, Lent’s research interests include the cognitive-behavioral treatment of opioid use disorder, obesity and binge-eating disorder, as well as psychosocial outcomes in individuals using medical cannabis. She is currently principal investigator of a nationally funded randomized, controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of two psychosocial treatments as adjunctive therapy to buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.
“In addition to being a prolific researcher herself, Michelle has excelled in leading our Division of Research for the past few months, and I expect many successes to follow,” said Kenneth Veit, DO '76, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs.
Lent is co-director of PCOM’s SHELTER program (Support and Healing through Empowerment, Learning, and Trauma Education in Recovery after gun violence), which is funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. She also serves as an editor-in-chief of PCOM’s first peer-reviewed journal, the Journal of Integrated Primary Care, and is director of psychosocial research in PCOM’s medical cannabis research program.
“I look forward to guiding the research program at PCOM into a new era—one defined by collaborative discovery, strong partnerships and innovative scholarship,” Lent said. “I will work tirelessly to provide more opportunities for research training and mentorship and to develop new research pathways that advance osteopathic principles and promote the science of whole-person health.”
Lent received her PhD in clinical psychology (health emphasis) from Yeshiva University and completed her predoctoral internship in behavioral medicine at Temple University Hospital and the Temple University Center for Obesity Research and Education (CORE).
Since completing her Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award postdoctoral fellowship at Temple, she has co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts and chapters.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312
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