Allen Barton is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Dr. Barton's research is focused on promoting the health and well-being of individuals and families throughout the state of Illinois, particularly with respect to substance use and family stability. His work is guided primarily by theory and findings within disciplines of prevention science and family science while also drawing secondarily from research in fields of public health, health psychology, and human development. Dr. Barton's research is characterized by longitudinal cohort studies, randomized prevention trials, and quasi-experimental studies as a means to (a) identify family processes that function as risk or protective mechanisms for individuals’ and families' health, and (b) develop and evaluate family-centered prevention programs. His research has been published in leading journals of multiple fields, including Prevention Science, Journal of Adolescent Health, Addiction, and Journal of Family Psychology.