James L. Merle

James L. Merle, PhD

Languages spoken: English

Academic Information

Departments Primary - Population Health Sciences

Dr. Merle obtained his PhD from the University of Minnesota in Educational Psychology. His research in the HSIR division contributes to implementation science across a broad spectrum of federally-funded health and mental health implementation and hybrid implementation-effectiveness trials. His research targets implementation outcomes around health disparities, including cancer symptom management, HIV prevention, and reducing cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and pediatric obesity. The focus of his work is on improving the uptake and sustained use of evidence-based practices by developing tools and implementation strategies that target multilevel barriers within implementation contexts (i.e., schools, hospitals, behavioral health clinics, community organizations) and ultimately creates generalizable knowledge and leads to quality improvement.

Education History

Graduate Training University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
 MS
Postdoctoral Fellowship University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
 Postdoctoral Fellow
Graduate Training University of Minnesota
 PhD
Graduate Training University of Minnesota
 MA
Undergraduate The College of St. Scholastica
 BA

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Merle, J L, Sloss, E, Sanuade, O, Lengnick-Hall, R, Meza, R, Golden, C, Simmons, R, Velazquez, A, Hill, J, Estabrooks, P, McFarland, M, Rafferty, M, Li, D H, Smith, J D (2024). Refining the Implementation Research Logic Model: A Citation Analysis, User Survey, and Scoping Review Protocol. Front Health Serv.
  2. Smith, MJ, Merle, JL Baker-Ericzn, M, Sherwood, K, Bornheimer, L A, Ross, B, Harrington, M, Sharma, A, Brown, C, Gordon, T, Telfer, D, Reese, J, Hirst, J, Oulvey, E A, Dignadice, V, Williams, E, Magaa, S, Hume, K, Sung, C, Burke-Miller, J, Smith, J D (2024). A Type 1 Hybrid Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol for Evaluating Virtual Interview Training Among Autistic Transition-Age Youth. Contemp Clin Trials Commun.
  3. Zamantakis A, Merle JL, Queiroz AA, Zapata JP, Deskins J, Pachicano AM, Mongrella M, Li D, Benbow N, Gallo C, Smith JD, Mustanski B (2024). Innovation and implementation determinants of HIV testing and linkage-to-care in the U.S.: a systematic review. Implement Sci Commun, 5(1), 111. (Read full article)
  4. Zapata JP, Zamantakis A, Queiroz A, Merle JL, Benbow N, Mustanski B (2024). Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) implementation among latino MSM: a qualitative scoping review of implementation determinants and change methods. Implement Sci Commun, 5(1), 107. (Read full article)
  5. McCleary NJ, Merle JL, Richardson JE, Bass M, Garcia SF, Cheville AL, Mitchell SA, Jensen R, Minteer S, Austin JD, Tesch N, DiMartino L, Hassett MJ, Osarogiagbon RU, Wong S, Schrag D, Cella D, Smith AW, Smith JD, IMPACT Consortium (2024). Bridging clinical informatics and implementation science to improve cancer symptom management in ambulatory oncology practices: experiences from the IMPACT consortium. JAMIA Open, 7(3), ooae081. (Read full article)
  6. Fu ES, Berkel C, Merle JL, St George SM, Graham AK, Smith JD (2024). A Scoping Review of Tailoring in Pediatric Obesity Interventions. Child Obes. (Read full article)
  7. McKay VR, Zamantakis A, Pachicano AM, Merle JL, Purrier MR, Swan M, Li DH, Mustanski B, Smith JD, Hirschhorn LR, Benbow N (2024). Establishing evidence criteria for implementation strategies in the US: a Delphi study for HIV services. Implement Sci, 19(1), 50. (Read full article)
  8. Merle JL, Benbow N, Li DH, Zapata JP, Queiroz A, Zamantakis A, McKay V, Keiser B, Villamar JA, Mustanski B, Smith JD (2024). Improving Delivery and Use of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in the US: A Systematic Review of Implementation Strategies and Adjunctive Interventions. AIDS Behav, 28(7), 2321-2339. (Read full article)
  9. Merle JL, Zapata JP, Quieroz A, Zamantakis A, Sanuade O, Mustanski B, Smith JD (2024). Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among people who use drugs: a qualitative scoping review of implementation determinants and change methods. Addict Sci Clin Pract, 19(1), 46. (Read full article)
  10. Smith JD, Carroll AJ, Sanuade OA, Johnson R, Abramsohn EM, Abbas H, Ahmad FS, Eggleston A, Lazar D, Lindau ST, McHugh M, Mohanty N, Philbin S, Pinkerton EA, Rosul LL, Merle JL, Tedla YG, Walunas TL, Davis P, Kho A (2024). Process of Engaging Community and Scientific Partners in the Development of the CIRCL-Chicago Study Protocol. Ethn Dis, DECIPHeR(Spec Issue), 18-26. (Read full article)
  11. Smith JD, Li DH, Merle JL, Keiser B, Mustanski B, Benbow ND (2024). Adjunctive interventions: change methods directed at recipients that support uptake and use of health innovations. Implement Sci, 19(1), 10. (Read full article)
  12. Mustanski B, Queiroz A, Merle JL, Zamantakis A, Zapata JP, Li DH, Benbow N, Pyra M, Smith JD (2023). A Systematic Review of Implementation Research on Determinants and Strategies of Effective HIV Interventions for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States. Annu Rev Psychol, 75, 55-85. (Read full article)
  13. Zhang Y, Cook CR, Azad GF, Larson M, Merle JL, Thayer J, Pauls A, Lyon AR (2022). A Pre-Implementation Enhancement Strategy to Increase the Yield of Training and Consultation for School-Based Behavioral Preventive Practices: a Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Prev Sci, 24(3), 552-566. (Read full article)
  14. Merle JL, Li D, Keiser B, Zamantakis A, Queiroz A, Gallo CG, Villamar JA, McKay V, Zapata JP, Mustanski B, Benbow N, Smith JD (2023). Categorising implementation determinants and strategies within the US HIV implementation literature: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open, 13(3), e070216. (Read full article)
  15. Merle JL, Carroll AJ, Mohanty N, Berkel C, Scherr C, Davis MM, Wakschlag LS, Smith JD (2023). Pediatric clinicians' perspectives on assessing concerns about young children's social-emotional wellbeing in primary care. J Child Health Care, 13674935231163362. (Read full article)
  16. Merle JL, Cook CR, Locke JJ, Ehrhart MG, Brown EC, Davis CJ, Lyon AR (2023). Teacher attitudes toward evidence-based practices: Exploratory and confirmatory analyses of the school-adapted evidence-based practice attitude scale. Implement Res Pract, 4, 26334895221151026. (Read full article)
  17. Merle JL, Cook CR, Pullmann MD, Larson MF, Hamlin CM, Hugh ML, Brewer SK, Duong MT, Bose M, Lyon AR (2022). Longitudinal Effects of a Motivationally Focused Strategy to Increase the Yield of Training and Consultation on Teachers' Adoption and Fidelity of a Universal Program. School Ment Health, 15(1), 105-122. (Read full article)
  18. Smith JD, Merle JL, Webster KA, Cahue S, Penedo FJ, Garcia SF (2022). Tracking dynamic changes in implementation strategies over time within a hybrid type 2 trial of an electronic patient-reported oncology symptom and needs monitoring program. Front Health Serv, 2, 983217. (Read full article)
  19. Merle JL, Larson MF, Cook CR, Brewer SK, Hamlin C, Duong M, McGinnis JL, Thayer AJ, Gaias LM, Lyon AR (2022). A Mixed-Method Study Examining Solutions to Common Barriers to Teachers' Adoption of Evidence-Based Classroom Practices. Psychol Sch, 59(9), 1825-1843. (Read full article)
  20. Merle JL, Thayer AJ, Larson MF, Pauling S, Cook CR, Rios JA, McGinnis JL, Sullivan MM (2021). Investigating strategies to increase general education teachers' adherence to evidence-based social-emotional behavior practices: A meta-analysis of the single-case literature. J Sch Psychol, 91, 1-26. (Read full article)
  21. Larson M, Cook CR, Brewer SK, Pullmann MD, Hamlin C, Merle JL, Duong M, Gaias L, Sullivan M, Morrell N, Kulkarni T, Weeks M, Lyon AR (2020). Examining the Effects of a Brief, Group-Based Motivational Implementation Strategy on Mechanisms of Teacher Behavior Change. Prev Sci, 22(6), 722-736. (Read full article)
  22. Merle JL, Cook CR, Thayer AJ (2019). Flipping the script: Examining the feasibility and effectiveness of a school-based intervention protocol to address elopement behaviors in general education classrooms. Prev Sch Fail, 64(2), 142-154.