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

Click here to nominate an NHSN member
Nominations must be received by July 21, 2024

Award Categories:

National Award of Excellence for/in:

National Award of Excellence for Best Poster by a New Investigator will be presented during the annual conference to an early career scientist or graduate student for an outstanding poster for research in the field of Hispanic drug abuse. Posters submitted for consideration will be judged at the annual NHSN conference by a subcommittee of the Early Career Leadership Committee based on evaluation criteria such as: title, background/objectives, methods/approaches, results, conclusions/public health implications, and effective communication.

National Award of Excellence in Research by a New Investigator will be presented to a new investigator for outstanding research and/or publication in the field of Hispanic drug abuse. The candidate must be a postdoctoral fellow, an Instructor, or an Assistant Professor. The nomination letter should describe the nominee’s area of research contributions, discuss the nominee’s promise as a researcher, and present evidence of current grant and/or publication activity.

National Award of Excellence in Research by a Student will be presented to a graduate student for outstanding research and/or publication in drug abuse. The nomination letter should describe the nominee’s area of research and its significance in the field.

National Award of Excellence in Research by a Senior Investigator will be presented to an investigator for an outstanding track record of scientific contribution and publication in the field of drug abuse. The nomination letter should specify how the candidate’s record demonstrates continued and consistent contributions to the field of drug abuse that are culturally innovative, demonstrate some of the unique aspects of drug abuse among Hispanics, and/or have impacted the larger field of drug abuse research.

National Award of Excellence in Blending Research and Practice will be presented to a new or senior investigator for an outstanding publication in the area of blending research and practice in drug abuse prevention or treatment. The nomination letter should describe the candidate’s publication and its significance to the field of blending research and practice.

National Award of Excellence in Mentorship will be presented to a senior investigator who has provided outstanding mentorship in the area of Hispanic drug abuse to graduate students and/or new investigators, resulting in peer-reviewed publications or successful grant applications. The nomination letter should refer to the Hispanic scientists who the nominee has mentored (i.e., worked with or written grants and publications with).

National Award of Excellence in Service by a Community Organization/Agency will be presented to an organization or agency that has made significant efforts in promoting culturally relevant and evidence-based clinical services on Hispanic drug abuse. The nomination letter should describe the organization’s/agency’s activities and impact in the above areas. The nominated organization/agency should provide a 2- to 5-page description of its mission and services in the field of Hispanic drug abuse.

National Award of Excellence in Public Service will be presented to an individual whose work in public service has promoted the development of Hispanic researchers in substance abuse and research on Hispanic drug abuse. The nomination letter should include a description of the nominee’s public service track work and how it has contributed to furthering the development of Hispanic researchers in substance abuse and research on Hispanic drug abuse.

National Award of Excellence in Innovative Advances in Health Research will be presented to a researcher from an *underrepresented background displaying outstanding leadership and creativity in advancing basic research or clinical practice by developing a novel theoretical/experimental approach, methodology, instrumentation, or intervention. The nomination letters should address how the nominees’ creative and novel work has transformed our understanding of health disparities and/or drug abuse in biomedical, social science, and/or behavioral research fields within the past 5 years. Specifically, the focus of the nomination letter should be on a specific innovative contribution, and not the nominee’s career trajectory or accomplishments. *Underrepresented could include racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and individuals that are first college graduates in their family.

Past Awardees:

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