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Hispanic Researchers and Scholars – National Hispanic Science Network

Mission and Goals

The Hispanic Workgroup at the NIDA is one of four advisory groups established by the Director of NIDA with the mission of advancing the drug abuse science among Hispanic populations as well as the representation of Hispanic scientists in drug abuse research. The largest initiative of this workgroup is the National Hispanic Science Network (http://www.nhsn.med.miami.edu). The NHSN is dedicated to improving health equity of Hispanics by Increasing the amount, quality, and dissemination of interdisciplinary translational research; and fostering the development and advancement of Hispanic scientists to promote future leaders.

Major Highlights and Accomplishments

The NHSN was created in 2001 and has grown from 50 members in 2001 to more than 400 members in 2012. During these years, the NHSN has had multiple major accomplishments towards achieving its mission. Each year, the annual conference has increased in excellence, introducing cutting edge topics, while building necessary networking and mentoring opportunities for our members. International research collaborations have also developed, and the NHSN continues to work closely with the NIDA International Program to introduce international members to the Network.

The NHSN also continues to introduce exciting and beneficial initiatives for early career members. Given the unique challenges of researchers who are in the beginning stages of their career, the NHSN provide early career scientists valuable resources to help them meet the challenge of becoming independent and successful researchers. The NHSN offers multiple networking and mentoring opportunities for early career members to develop a successful career in science. They included but are not limited to:

  • NHSN Early Career Leadership Committee (ECLC)
    The ECLC provides valuable resources that not only help early career members with career development but also provide opportunities to meet the challenge of becoming independent and successful researchers. In addition, to many other outreach initiatives, the ECLC offers awards to fund pilot projects, and a mentoring conference call program which gives early career members an opportunity to receive mentoring and feedback from senior members of the NHSN
  • Interdisciplinary Research Training Institute (IRTI)
    Established in 2001, the IRTI has flourished to promote the career development of pre-doctoral, postdoctoral and early career clinically-focused scientists interested in conducting research. The focus of this interdisciplinary training program is to offer a continuous support infrastructure for participants to conduct, present, publish and acquire funding. A core activity of the IRTI is the Summer Program, with the overarching theme of translating research into practice.
  • NIH Summer Internship Program
    This collaboration between NHSN and National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides scholar awards for NHSN student members to participate in the NIH Summer Internship Program. This initiative provides an opportunity to work side-by-side with leading scientists, in an environment devoted exclusively to biomedical research. Awardees also have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of summer activities at NIH including workshops, and lectures.
  • Early Stage Career Mentoring for NIDA Research
    Launched in 2011, this mentoring program aims to expand and enhance research training opportunities for early stage faculty investigators. This program complements the IRTI and provides mentoring for early career scientists already employed as faculty or research staff members of institutions that will sponsor their grant applications. Opportunities exist to develop grant applications and career development proposals, as well as support for pilot research and travel to scientific meetings.
  • Center for Prevention Implementation Methodology (Ce-PIM) for Drug Abuse and Sexual Risk Behavior
    The Ce-PIM provides ongoing mentorship to new investigators who have strong interests in prevention implementation. Ce-PIM will design preconference workshops which will allow new investigators to build additional skills in these areas, collaborate with researchers, communities and service providers around the country, and will also provide competitive funding of research pilot projects.

Upcoming Events

Resources and Links

Workgroup Roster

  • Ana Anders, L.I.C.S.W.
    Senior Advisor on Special Populations, Office of Special Populations,
    National Institute on Drug Abuse
  • Iván Montoya, M.D., M.P.H.
    Deputy Director, Division of Pharmacotherapies and Medical Consequesnces of Drug Abuse
    National Institute on Drug Abuse
  • Joseph Frascella, Ph.D.
    Director, Division of Clinical Neurosciences & Behavioural Research
    National Institute on Drug Abuse

NHSN Steering Committee

  • Patricia E. Molina, M.D., Ph.D.
    NHSN Chair
    Richard Ashman Professor and Chair
    Director, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Center of
    Excellence
    Department of Physiology
    Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
    Louisiana State University
    1901 Perdido Street
    New Orleans, LA 70112
    (504) 568-6187 – phone
    (504) 568-6158 – fax
  • William Vega, Ph.D.
    NHSN Vice Chair
    Provost Professor & Executive Director
    Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging
    University of Southern California
    School of Social Work
    Montgomery Ross Fisher Building- MRF 102 R
    669 West 34th Street
    Los Angeles, CA 90089-0411
    (213) 740-4804 – phone
    (213) 740-7735 – fax
  • Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D.
    Professor, Clinical Internal Medicine
    Director, Center for Reducing Health Disparities (CRHD)
    University of California, Davis
    CRISP Building
    2921 Stockton Boulevard, Suite 1400
    Sacramento, CA 95817
    (916) 703-9114 – phone
    (916) 703-9124 – fax
  • Margarita Alegría, Ph.D.
    Professor, Harvard Medical School
    Director, Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research
    Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School
    120 Beacon Street, 4th Floor
    Somerville, MA 02143
    (617) 503-8447 – phone
    (617) 503-8430 – fax
  • Hortensia Amaro, Ph.D.
    Associate Dean & Distinguished Professor
    Bouvé College of Health Sciences
    Director, Institute on Urban Health Research
    Northeastern University
    360 Huntington Avenue
    Stearns Hall, #503
    Boston, MA 02118
    (617) 373-7601 – phone
    (617) 373-7309 – fax
  • James Anthony, Ph.D.
    Professor
    Department of Epidemiology
    Michigan State University
    B601 West Fee Hall
    East Lansing, MI 48824
    (517) 353-8623 - phone
  • C. Hendricks Brown, Ph.D.
    Professor
    Department of Epidemiology & Public Health
    University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
    Clinical Research Building
    1120 N.W. 14th Street, Room 1064
    Miami, FL 33136
    (305) 243-4592 – phone
  • Ana Mari Cauce, Ph.D.
    Provost and Executive Vice President, Office of the Provost
    Earl R. Carlson Professor of Psychology
    University of Washington
    301 Gerberding Hall
    Seattle, WA 98195
    (206) 543-6618 – phone
    (206) 221-3176
  • Diana Martínez, M.D.
    Associate Professor
    Department of Psychiatry
    Columbia University
    New York State Psychiatric Institute, #31
    1051 Riverside Drive
    New York, NY 10032
    (212) 543-6628 – phone
  • María Elena Icaza Medina-Mora, Ph.D.
    Chief Director
    Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría
    Ram

This page was last updated April 2012

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