“We all work together as mentors, advisory committee members and peers to help shape the scholar’s research. The goal is to provide an intensive mentored clinical research experience that prepares them to become independent investigators,” Gray said. The program draws participants from across the country, helping to build research expertise nationwide. Gray said these scholars are poised to become emerging leaders in the field of pediatric mental health and substance use research, as they demonstrate remarkable professional achievement early in their careers and a commitment to research.
Scholars advanced through a highly competitive selection process, including a comprehensive written application and review of their proposed research project. The awardees that Gray will be mentoring and overseeing include:
- Peter Jackson, M.D., University of Vermont
Project: Foundations for Family Communication about Parental Substance Use Disorders: Measurement, Cohort Evidence, and Family-Informed Design - Sivabalaji Kaliamurthy, M.D., Children's National Hospital
Project: Developing a Brief Inpatient Intervention for Adolescents Using Cannabis - Amalia Londoño Tobón, M.D., Georgetown University
Project: Adapting and Piloting a Multi-Component Obstetric Practice Approach to Increase Access to Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Care for Mother-Infant Dyads - Elizabeth Olsen, M.D., Brown University
Project: Our VOICES: Tailored Cannabis Use Intervention for Female Adolescents in Mental Health Treatment - Aaron Quiggle, M.D., Mass General/Harvard Medical School
Project: Controlled Trial of Delayed/Extended-Release Methylphenidate for Adolescents and Young Adults with ADHD and Cannabis Use Disorder - Tara Thompson-Felix, M.D., Yale School of Medicine
Project: Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Child Neurodevelopment: Investigating the epigenetic landscape of iPSC neuron and microglia derived extracellular vesicles
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Amy Yule, M.D., was a scholar in the program from 2016 to 2021, while working at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is now vice chair of Addiction Psychiatry at Boston Medical Center. When she began practicing, she was struck by the limited evidence to guide clinical care for youth with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions.
“There has been a notable focus on increasing evidence-based treatments and access to evidence-based care for substance use disorders over the past 10 years. These efforts have resulted in improved engagement in care for adults. However, new research on interventions for adolescents with substance use disorders, particularly those with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health conditions, has been limited; fortunately, this program is effectively addressing that challenge,” Yule said.
Heidi Fordi, executive director and CEO of AACAP, said she is grateful for Gray and MUSC’s leadership with the project.
“Growing the field of child and adolescent psychiatrists pursuing research careers focused on substance use and addiction has been a priority for the AACAP for nearly three decades. Our strong partnership with NIDA gives promising physician-scientists the mentorship, training and support they need to become independent researchers. Dr. Gray and our colleagues at MUSC have been tremendous partners in strengthening this national community of researchers and mentors and advancing the science that ultimately improves care for children and families,” she said.
