NIDA, Russian Officials Discuss Research Programs

NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D., left, led the team of NIDA staff members who met with Victor Ivanov, director of the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia, right, and his colleagues.

NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D., Victor Ivanov, Director of the Federal Drug Control Service of Russia, and their colleagues met December 14, 2012, to review the Institute’s research priorities and programs. The group discussed a wide range of topics, including developments in addiction medications and possible options for continued collaboration. After Dr. Volkow’s presentation, the following NIDA staff made brief presentations about research programs in their respective divisions: Dionne Jones, Ph.D., Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research; Phil Skolnick, Ph.D., Division of Pharmacotherapies and Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse; Jack Stein, Ph.D., Office of Science Policy and Communications; Joni Rutter, Ph.D., Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research; Joseph Frascella, Ph.D., Division of Clinical Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (DCNBR); and Betty Tai, Ph.D., Center for the Clinical Trials Network. Other NIDA staff who participated in the discussions included Deputy Director David Shurtleff, Ph.D.; Associate Director for Scientific Affairs Susan Weiss, Ph.D.; International Program Director Steven Gust, Ph.D., and Associate Director Dale Weiss; Office of Translational Initiatives and Program Innovations Director Elena Koustova, Ph.D.; and Cecelia Spitznas, Ph.D., DCNBR.