IBS Associations
Project Director, LifeSkills Training Project, Prevention Science Program
Research Interests
positive youth development, risk and protective factors, large-scale implementation, evidence-based practice,implementation science, vulnerable populations
Brief Biography
M. Amanda Lain earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Social Sciences from Western New Mexico University (’03) as well as a Master’s degree in Sociology from New Mexico State University (’04). As a social scientist, Lain is able to develop relationships with individuals and work with diverse groups of people, coordinate and run interviews and focus groups, and evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs. Further, Lain has developed assessment tools, analyzed large datasets, published and disseminated information to affect change, and managed the work of team members.
Prior to joining the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) in 2010, Lain provided sexual health education and prevention services to the public as well as individuals at-risk, infected, and affected by HIV and STDs. At CU, Lain works to support implementation of the Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST) Middle School and High School Programs, research-backed adolescent violence and substance abuse prevention programs that develop healthy attitudes and behaviors in youth when implemented with fidelity. Lain is currently the Project Director for the multi-state LST dissemination effort, which has provided LST to over 850,000 middle-school students across 24 states and the District of Columbia.
Specialties: Educational presentations; effective qualitative and quantitative research; analyzing and interpreting data; program directorship; grant writing and management; fiduciary responsibility and follow-through on grant deliverables; customer service.