Scholars' Achievements

Sugy Choi, PhD: NIDA K01 Award Recipient

August 2025  

Title: Multi-Level Analysis of Perinatal Toxicology Practices in New York State: An Explanatory-Sequential Mixed-Methods Study 

Grant Number: 1K01DA063748-01   

Description: Despite the essential need for substance use screening amid rising maternal overdose deaths, there is limited understanding about the effectiveness of substance use screening during pregnancy. The objective of this K01 project is to examine variations in perinatal toxicology testing and practices in New York State using Medicaid data, hospital interviews, and patient focus groups. Findings will inform patient-centered policy recommendations for perinatal care, while Dr. Choi receives training in mixed methods and perinatal health to improve maternal and infant outcomes. 

Ben Bovell-Ammon, MD: NIDA K08 Award Recipient

September 2025  

Title: Medicaid Coverage of Behavioral Health Supports for Opioid Use Disorder During Post-Incarceration Reentry 

Grant Number: 1K08DA06382-01  

Description: In 2022, Massachusetts Medicaid implemented a statewide care navigation program for people experiencing addiction and/or mental illness who are returning home from incarceration – a population with an extremely high risk for overdose and other poor outcomes during their transition from jail or prison back into the community. The objective of this K08 award is to conduct a mixed methods study to examine the implementation and design of Medicaid policy, and its impacts on healthcare use, overdose rates, and deaths among recently incarcerated individuals. The proposed training and research activities from this career development award will cultivate Dr. Bovell-Ammon’s skills for policy-focused implementation science to improve health care and outcomes for people with substance use disorders and criminal-legal involvement. 

Helen Jack, MD: NIDA Avenir Award Recipient

June 2025

Title: Transforming systems of care to address HIV, HIV risk, and substance use disorders in prisons

Grant number: DP2DA063100

Description: The objective of this NIDA Avenir Award is to build foundational knowledge on how to strengthen prison health systems to address substance use disorders, hepatitis C, HIV, and HIV prevention. High-performing healthcare systems, such as the Veterans Health Administration (VA), are learning health systems. In learning health systems, researchers partner with clinical leaders and health systems to improve the quality, efficiency, and reach of care while generating generalizable knowledge on care delivery to inform other systems. This project—embedded in Washington’s state prisons—will develop a prison learning health system. This work will launch a trajectory of research to improve care quality while generating knowledge on patient experience and care delivery that can inform services in prisons across the country.

Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, PhD: Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)

January 2025

Dr. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Duke University, has been honored with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by President Joe Biden.
 
This award, established in 1996, recognizes early–career scientists and engineers who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential in their fields. Dr. Brinkley-Rubinstein is among nearly 400 individuals who were recognized this year for their innovative contributions to science and technology across a wide range of disciplines, including health, agriculture, defense, and the environment.
 
PECASE, considered the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on outstanding scientists early in their careers, celebrates groundbreaking work that has the potential to shape the future. This recognition not only honors Dr. Brinkley-Rubinstein’s individual contributions but also underscores the significant impact she continues to make as a researcher and educator.