Rutgers Researchers Advance Addiction Science at National Clinical Trials Network Meeting
On October 17, 2025, Rutgers Center for Alcohol and Substance Use Studies (CAS) faculty and community partners participated in the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) Annual Meeting, held at NYU’s Kimmel Pavilion in New York City. The event convened researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders from across the CTN consortium to discuss clinical trial progress, research innovations, and strategies for community-engaged substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment.
The CTN, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a nationwide partnership between academic research institutions and community-based treatment providers. Its mission is to bridge the gap between research and practice by conducting multisite clinical trials that evaluate evidence-based interventions for SUDs in real-world settings. Rutgers is now a key partner in the Greater New York Node of the NIDA Clinical Trials Network, supported by the grant titled “NIDA Clinical Trials Network: New York Node”(Grant #: UG1DA013035).
For more information:
CTN Website: https://med.nyu.edu/centers-programs/new-york-node-clinical-trials-network
Rutgers Leadership and Contributions
Dr. Denise Hien, Helen E. Chaney Endowed Chair in Alcohol Studies and Distinguished Professor at the Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies (CAS) and a national leader in trauma and addiction research, played a central role in the meeting. She facilitated an afternoon breakout session, which focused on translating research into practice through collaborative, community-informed approaches. Dr. Hien states, “The CTN is one of NIDA’s major Centers that brings effective treatments for substance addictions to communities all over this country. As such, it aligns with Rutgers commitments to use our research strengths to serve the public.”
Rutgers’ presence at the meeting reflected its interdisciplinary commitment to addiction science. Attendees included:
- Dr. Peggy Swarbrick, Steven Curto and Tasha Bulgin from the Rutgers Center of Alcohol & Substance Use Studies
- Dr. Meghan Deshais from the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology
- Dr. Kristina Jackson and Ethan Cowan from the Rutgers Addiction Research Center
- Dr. Nina Cooperman, Patricia Dooley and Dr. Marilyn Piccirillo from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
- Dr. George Leibowitz from the School of Social Work
- Robert Budsock from Integrity House
- Peg Wright from The Center for Great Expectations
Meeting Highlights
The day-long agenda featured a series of panels and discussions on key topics in addiction treatment and research:
- A morning panel on SUD health services featured leaders from state and city agencies, including NYS OASAS and NYC Health + Hospitals.
- A harm reduction and low-barrier treatment panel included Rutgers’ Dr. Ethan Cowan, who shared insights from clinical work at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
- Dr. Peggy Swarbrick contributed to a panel on co-occurring mental health and SUD, highlighting the importance of focusing on wellness promotion connecting with grassroots community groups using co production and community engaged strategies to make real work impacts.
- Afternoon breakout sessions, facilitated by Dr. Hien and others, allowed participants to explore implementation challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
Broader Impact
Rutgers’ active engagement in the CTN supports the university’s mission to advance community-engaged, translational research that addresses pressing real world public health challenges. Through its leadership in the CTN, Rutgers CAS leaders and other faculty and community partners are helping to shape national strategies to reduce the burden of substance use, trauma, and behavioral health disparities.
Future CTN meetings and collaborative initiatives will continue to strengthen Rutgers’ role in advancing addiction science and improving outcomes for communities.
For additional photos, see CAS gallery: https://alcoholstudies.rutgers.edu/gallery/