Meetings & Events

The Special Populations Office, Office of the Director (OD), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), organized the NIDA Researchers and Scholars Joint Work Group Meeting on September 29–30, 2008, at the Doubletree Bethesda Hotel and Executive Meeting Center. The meeting convened members of the African American, American Indian-Alaska Native, Asian American–Pacific Islander, the National Hispanic Science Network workgroups, and NIDA staff.  Individual workgroups provided updates on their initiatives that focused on training and mentoring early/new investigators in pursuit of research careers in the field of substance abuse and addiction. Recent activities included research and technical assistance training workshops, a mentoring program, and a mini medical school. NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., provided an opening address and discussed NIDA's research priorities. NIDA Division Directors and representatives provided updates on their research portfolios and current funding opportunities.