BOSTON― Jeffrey H. Samet, MD, a professor of medicine and community health sciences at Boston University School of Medicine, has been selected as a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) International Program 2011 Awards of Excellence winner. Samet was recognized for his commitment and investment in mentoring scientists in their pursuits in patient-focused drug abuse research and treatment.
Samet, who is also chief of the Section of General Internal Medicine at Boston Medical Center, has influenced the careers of innumerable young researchers both in the United States and abroad, particularly in Russia, where he has trained and inspired several junior investigators and is currently a principal investigator of a study on HIV and substance abuse in the region. In the United States, he helped create the NIDA-supported Chief Resident Immersion Training program, a four-day immersion training for incoming chief residents and their faculty mentors on state-of-the-art methods to diagnose, manage and teach about substance use disorders. He leads the NIDA-funded study to advance the Clinical Addiction Research and Education program, which has successfully fostered physician development in addiction research and education during the past 10 years. These programs provide adaptable models for the international drug abuse community.
"Whether mentoring a promising young scientist or an established academic researcher, Dr. Samet's commitment to teaching scientists about patient-oriented drug abuse research and treatment is unfaltering. His approachable and enthusiastic style and his ability to tap into researchers' potential have made him an in-demand mentor within the drug abuse research community," said Steven W. Gust, director of the NIDA International Program.
The 2011 Awards of Excellence winners were announced June 18 at the NIDA International Forum in Hollywood, Florida. The 2011 Forum focused on "Building International Collaborative Research on Drug Abuse," acknowledging the importance of individuals from diverse settings working together to address drug abuse and shape drug abuse policy.
"The Awards of Excellence winners are dedicated and experienced leaders in the international effort to advance drug abuse research and training," Dr. Gust said. "This year's winners have helped to prepare international scientists to work together across political borders, to lead the way for key scientific breakthroughs, and to develop collaborative partnerships to support international research."
The awards are presented each June at the NIDA International Forum. Awards of Excellence winners are selected based on contributions to three areas essential to the mission of the NIDA International Program: mentoring, international leadership, and collaborative research. The NIDA International Program welcomes Awards of Excellence nominations from any individual or organization. Nominations should be accompanied by a detailed written description of the accomplishments of the nominee and an explanation of why those accomplishments merit the NIDA International Program Award of Excellence. Additional information is available at http://www.international.drugabuse.gov/information/intl_forum_excellence.html.
The NIDA International Program works with colleagues from around the world to find evidence-based solutions to the public health problems of drug abuse, addiction, and drug-related HIV/AIDS. NIDA is part of the National Institutes of Health, the principal biomedical and behavioral research agency of the U.S. Government and a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.