University of Colorado Boulder · GeneticsGustavson Lab
Daniel Gustavson · Boulder, Colorado
Research Focus
Daniel Gustavson's lab at the University of Colorado focuses on understanding how music engagement can protect against substance use in adolescents. The research explores whether connecting with music influences behaviors related to substance use and how genetic and environmental factors interact with this relationship. By analyzing extensive longitudinal data, the lab aims to identify intervention strategies that could help at-risk youth before they develop substance use disorders.
adolescent substance usemusic engagementgenetic influencesenvironmental influencesintervention strategieslongitudinal studiesgenome-wide association studiesprotective factorssubstance use disordersmental health
Research Aims
5AIM 01Examine the relationship between music engagement and adolescent substance use initiation.
AIM 02Identify how genetic and environmental factors shape this relationship.
AIM 03Analyze whether music engagement provides protective benefits relative to other activities like sports or art.
AIM 04Develop intervention strategies for high-risk adolescents to reduce substance use behaviors.
AIM 05Quantify the nature of associations between music engagement and substance use across diverse populations.
Skills the Lab Values
data analysislongitudinal data modelingstructural equation modelinggenomic data interpretationtwin/family studiespolygenic score computationrisk factor assessmentMendelian randomizationenvironmental risk analysismusic therapy methodologies
Output against the department
Publications140bottom 45% of dept.141st of 259
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.9kbottom 20% of dept.208th of 259
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.