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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 Icon

Science

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

Practice Icon

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 Icon

Community Engagement

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

Advocacy Icon

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

Keynote

Paolo del Vecchio

Paolo del Vecchio

Director of the Office of Recovery and the Director of the Office of Management, Technology, and Operations, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Presenters

Thomas Babor, PhD, MPH

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

Pamela Baker

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

Adam Chrone

Adam Chrone

Wellness Center Manager, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey

Chyrell D. Bellamy, PhD, MSW

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

Mark Costa, MD

Associate Research Scientist at Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health

Meghan Deshais, PhD, BCBA-D

Meghan Deshais, PhD, BCBA-D

Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology at Rutgers University

Denise Hien, PhD

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

Ryan Kaczka

Partner, Stone Street Group

Teresa Lopez-Castro, PhD

Teresa Lopez-Castro, PhD

Assistant Professor in the Psychology, Department of the City College of New

Valerie L. Mielke, MSW

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

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

Amy B. Spagnolo, PhD

Associate Professor, Rutgers, School of Health Related Professions, Project Director, Academy of Peer Services

Peggy Swarbrick, PhD

Peggy Swarbrick, PhD

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

Deirdre Waters, PsyD

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

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

    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

    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

    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
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