2023 Summer Symposium
Looking Ahead: Science, Practice, and Advocacy
to Meet Emerging Addiction Challenges
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm EST
Rutgers Busch Campus Center
604 Bartholomew Rd.
Piscataway, NJ 08854

The Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies at Rutgers University (CAS) is excited to announce plans for our 2023 Summer Symposium, addressing inequities and social determinants of addiction through collaborative efforts in research practice, community engagement, and advocacy. CAS has offered summer educational events for 80 years. As we began our Summer School of Addiction Studies in the 1940s, we were early innovators. Now, we are inspired to continue and expand our focus to address emerging challenges while exploring how best to translate new findings into practical and effective initiatives focused on promoting wellness for all.
Program Focus

Science
Researchers will share research focused on methods, prevention, and intervention research that examines the challenges & inequities of addiction of all kinds.

Practice
Approaches that address health inequities including a focus on treating the whole person using a person-centered approach, supporting the lifelong journey of recovery and wellness.

Community Engagement
Individuals with lived experience and other key stakeholders as equal partners in service delivery design, delivery, and research.

Advocacy
Experts will share ongoing and promising public policy initiatives including timely access to effective and lasting treatment and recovery supports that are effective; and approaches to make the best possible use of funding available.
Speakers and Panelists
Click on any speaker to read their biography
Presenters

Thomas Babor, PhD, MPH
Professor Emeritus in the Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Pamela Baker
Deputy Director of Homelessness Services, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey

Adam Chrone
Wellness Center Manager, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey

Chyrell D. Bellamy, PhD, MSW
Professor of Yale University’s Department of Psychiatry, Director of the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health

Mark Costa, MD
Associate Research Scientist at Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health

Meghan Deshais, PhD, BCBA-D
Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University

Denise Hien, PhD
Rutgers Vice Provost for Research, Chancellor-Provost Office; Director, Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Helen E. Chaney Chair in Alcohol Studies, and Professor, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology

Ryan Kaczka
Partner, Stone Street Group

Teresa Lopez-Castro, PhD
Assistant Professor in the Psychology, Department of the City College of New

Valerie L. Mielke, MSW
Assistant Commissioner, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, NJ Department of Human Services 2023 CAS Award Recipients

Lesia Ruglass, PhD
Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the City College of New York, CUNY and a Research Scientist in the Trauma and Addictions Project (TAP) and Research on Addictive Disorders (ROAD) labs.

Amy B. Spagnolo, PhD
Associate Professor, Rutgers, School of Health Related Professions, Project Director, Academy of Peer Services

Peggy Swarbrick, PhD
Associate Director, Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies; Research Professor, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology

Deirdre Waters, PsyD
Director, Master of Applied Psychology Program and Assistant Teaching Professor in the Rutgers, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology

Debra L. Wentz, PhD
CEO of the New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA)
2023 CAS Award Recipients
-
Lifetime Achievement Award in Practice
Lisa Laitman, Director Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program at Rutgers University–New Brunswick
-
Award for Community Engagement Researcher of the Year
Dr. Teresa Lopez-Castro, Associate Professor, Psychology Department The City College of New York and Licensed Clinical Psychologists
-
Lifetime Achievement Award in Leadership
Paolo del Vecchio, Director of the Office of Recovery and the Director of the Office of Management, Technology, and Operations
Research Posters
We will be featuring posters from scholars, faculty and community partners.
Research Poster Categories:
- Human Experimental
- Animal and Basic Experimental
- Epidemiology and Public Health
- Clinical Qualitative and Quantitative Studies
- Community Engagement
If you would like to apply to present a poster at this year’s event, you may apply by clicking the button below.
Poster Submission