Professor of Psychiatry at the Department of Behavioral Science and Dept. of Psychiatry and he is the Founding Medical Director of the Tobacco Treatment Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston Texas, USA since 2006 

He has focused his research on pharmacotherapy of the specific areas of alcohol, tobacco and comorbid disorders. He has received multiple awards and recognitions. He is member of several medical and subspecialty societies. He has published over 75 peer reviewed and invited papers, in addition to 8 book chapters. He has lectured locally and internationally and has presented over 75 abstracts and poster presentations at national and international meetings. 

He has been Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or study physician on more than 25 clinical trials. His team is currently recruiting subjects in 4 active clinical trials on treatment for smoking. 

President Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD): 2020-2022, and 2024-2026