Awards
The NHSN will consider award nominations submitted on behalf of a candidate by NHSN members.
Eligibility:
- Nomination must be made by NHSN member
- Individual nominee must be NHSN member
The nomination letter should state:
- the reason(s) why the candidate is being nominated
- what is unique about their work
- how their work has made contributions to the field of drug abuse research in regard to research methods, significance, target population, and/or
- innovative approaches to understanding cultural factors.
Please submit the following with each nomination:
A Biographical sketch or CV
Award Categories:
National Award of Excellence for/in:
Past Awardees:
2024 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Social/Behavioral Science)
Paulina Vargas, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Social/Behavioral Science)
Miracle Macias Burgos, Northern Arizona University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Basic Science)
Keishla Rodriguez-Graciani, PhD, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Basic Science)
Deja Holmes, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Minerva Rodriguez, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
John Salerno, PhD, Columbia University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Alice Cepeda, PhD, University of Southern California
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Alicia Izquierdo, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
National Award of Excellence in Innovative Advances in Health Research
Laura O’Dell, PhD, the University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Nancy Diazgranados, MD, MS, DFAPA, NIH/NIAAA/OCD
National Award of Excellence in Service by a Community Organization/Agency
California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives (CAADPE)
2023 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Social/Behavioral Science)
Cho Hee Shrader, PhD, Columbia University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Social/Behavioral Science)
Gira Ravelo, PhD, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Basic Science)
Danielle Levitt, PhD, Texas Tech University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Basic Science)
Eric Parise, PhD, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Angel Algarin, PhD, MPH, Arizona State University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Irma Cisneros, PhD, University of Texas Medical Branch
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Christopher Salas-Wright, PhD, Boston College
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Gladys Ibanez, PhD, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence in Innovative Advances in Health Research
Margarita Alegria, PhD, Harvard Medical School
National Award of Excellence in Service by a Community Organization/Agency
Mary’s Center
2022 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Social/Behavioral Science)
Jessica Frankeberger, University of Pittsburgh
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Social/Behavioral Science)
Robert Rosales, PhD, Brown University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Basic Science)
Adelis Marie Cruz, Texas A&M University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator
(Basic Science)
Sebastian Ortegon, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Alyssa Lozano, MS, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Daniela Franco, MA, University of Maryland Baltimore
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Daisy Ramirez-Ortiz, PhD, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Catalina Lopez-Quintero, MD, PhD, University of Florida
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Felipe Gonzalez Castro, PhD, Arizona State University
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Mariano Kanamori, PhD, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Blending Research and Practice
Paule Joseph, PhD, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Award of Excellence in Innovative Advances in Health Research
Denise Vidot, PhD, University of Miami
2021 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Social/Behavioral Science)
Audrey Hai, PhD, Tulane University School of Social Work
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Social/Behavioral Science)
Mercedes Hernandez, PhD, University of Texas at Austin
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Basic Science)
Veronika Espinoza, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Basic Science)
Anapaula Themann, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Veronika Espinoza, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Mariana Sanchez, PhD, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, MD, PhD, UC Davis Health
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Silvia Martins, PhD, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
National Award of Excellence in Innovative Advances in Health Research
Sergio Iniguez, PhD, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Service by a Community Organization/Agency
The National Covid-19 Resiliency Network (NCRN)
2020 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Social/Behavioral Science)
Angel Algarin, Phd, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Social/Behavioral Science)
Daisy Ramirez-Ortiz, PhD, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Basic Science)
Tiffany Gonzalez, California State University, Long Beach
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Basic Science)
Tyler Nelson, California State University, Long Beach
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Israel Carachure Garcia, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Miguel Pinedo, PhD, The University of Texas at Austin
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Daniel Santisteban, PhD, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Ulises Ricoy, PhD, The University of Arizona, Tuscon
National Award of Excellence in Innovative Advances in Health Research
Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Florida International University
Lifetime Service Award
Judith Arroyo, PhD, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
2019 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Social/Behavioral Science)
Sabrina Salas Martinez, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Social/Behavioral Science)
Alyssa Lozano, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Basic Science)
Omar Khalid Sial, Texas A&M
National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator (Basic Science)
Alejandro Tapia de Jesus, Universidad Iberoamericana
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Bryan Cruz, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Diana Sheehan-Delgado, PhD, Florida International University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Marisela Morales, MD, PhD, NIDA Intramural Program
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Seth Schwartz, PhD, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Arturo Zavala, PhD, California State University, Long Beach
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Albert Avila, PhD, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Office of Diversity and Health Disparities
2018 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Kevin Uribe, University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Hugo Tejeda, PhD, NIDA
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Alicia Izquierdo, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Guillermo Prado, PhD, University of Miami School of Medicine
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Sergio Iniguez, PhD, The University of Texas at El Paso
2017 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Rodolfo Flores, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Luis Natividad, PhD, The University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Flavio Marsiglia, PhD, Arizona State University
2016 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Allyson Hughes
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Miguel Cano, PhD
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Jim Anthony, PhD
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Laura O’Dell, PhD
2015 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Kathryn Nowotny, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Kristine Molina, PhD
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Richard De la Garza, PhD, Baylor University
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Alice Cepeda, PhD, University of Houston
2014 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Yessenia Castro, PhD, University of Texas at Austin
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxioloa, PhD, University of California, Davis
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Northeastern University
National Award of Excellence in Service by a Community Organization/Agency
Alliance of Border Collaboratives
2013 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Meghan Althoff, Tulane University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Raul Caetano, PhD, UT Southwestern
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Steffanie Strathdee, PhD, University of California SD
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Judith Arroyo, PhD, NIAAA
Abraham Bautista, PhD, NIAAA
Kenneth Warren, PhD, NIAAA
2012 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Guadalupe Bacio, University of California, Los Angeles
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Angela Robertson, PhD, University of California, San Diego
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Thomas Patterson, PhD, University of California, San Diego
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Patricia Molina, MD, PhD, LSUHSC New Orleans
National Award of Excellence by Community Organization
National Latino Tobacco Control Network
2011 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Jennifer Reingle, University of Florida
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Nicholas Gilpin, PhD, LSUHSC New Orleans
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Margarita Alegria, PhD, Harvard Medical School
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Teresa Chapa, Office of Minority Health, US Department HHS
2010 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Frank Bandiera, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Alice Cepeda, PhD, University of Houston
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Victoria Ojeda, PhD, University of California, San Diego
2009 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Luis Natividad, University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Mildred Maldonado-Molina, PhD, University of Florida
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Northeastern University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Avelardo Valdez, PhD, University of Houston
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Jim Anthony, PhD, Michigan State University
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
John Bryan Page, PhD, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Blending Research and Practice
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxioloa, PhD, University of California, Davis
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Northeastern University
Lifetime Achievement Award
Rafela Robles, PhD, Universidad Central del Caribe
National Award of Excellence in Service by a Community Organization/Agency
Bureau of Addictions Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Support Services, Boston
2008 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Ian Mendez, Texas A&M University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Guillermo Prado, University of Miami School of Medicine
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Margarita Alegria, PhD, Harvard Medical School
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Antonio Cepeda-Benito, PhD, Texas A&M University
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Steve Gust, PhD, NIDA
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Hilda Solia, US Department of Labor
2007 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Sandra Arevalo-Garcia, Northeastern University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Maria Elena Icaza Medina-Mora, PhD, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Eddie Casteneda, PhD, University of Texas at El Paso
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Yonette Thomas, PhD, NIDA
2006 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Rafael Maldonado Lopez, Universidad Pomeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Flavio Marsiglia, PhD, Arizona State University
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Avelardo Valdez, PhD, University of Houston
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Antonio Cepeda-Benito, PhD, Texas A&M University
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Ivan Montoya, PhD, NIDA
National Award of Excellence in Blending Research and Practice
Augusto Perez Gomez, PhD, Fundacian Nuevos Rumbos, Bogota, Columbia
2005 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Angelica Rocha, Texas A&M University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Maria Isabel Fernandez, PhD, Nova Southeastern University
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Felipe Gonzalez Castro, PhD, Arizona State University
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Hilda Pantin, PhD, Hilda Pantin
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Jose Szapocznik, PhD, University of Miami
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Keith Trujillo, PhD, CSU San Marcos
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Maria Cecilia Zea, PhD, George Washington University
Special Recognition
Lisa Cacari-Stone, PhD, University of New Mexico
Special Recognition
Dharma Cortes, PhD, Harvard Medical School
2004 National Award Recipients
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student
Guillermo Prado, University of Miami School of Medicine
National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator
Juan Carlos Reyes Pulliza, Universidad Central Del Caribe
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Glorisa Canino, PhD, University of Puerto Rico
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Israel Cuellar, PhD, Michigan State University
National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator
Joe Martinez, PhD, University of Texas at San Antonio
National Award of Excellence in Mentorship
Alberto Mata, PhD, University of Oklahoma
National Award of Excellence in Public Service
Hortensia Amaro, PhD, Northeastern University
National Award of Excellence by Community Organization
Latino Behavioral Health Institute