High research honors bestowed on two faculty members

By BeeGee Brem
University News Service

RICHMOND, Va. – Two Virginia Commonwealth University faculty members have received two of the nation’s highest honors for their contributions in the area of drug abuse research. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD) recently awarded William L. Dewey, Ph.D., VCU former vice president for research and now senior professor of pharmacology and toxicology, and Robert L. Balster, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and toxicology and director of VCU’s Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies for their achievements at its annual meeting last month.

Dewey received one of the most prestigious national awards for drug abuse research. The Nathan B. Eddy Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in research was established in 1973 in memory of Nathan B. Eddy, a pioneer in the field of drug dependence. Dewey was selected by a committee of international experts. They acknowledged his research efforts which have advanced the study of drug dependence in humans. His many significant contributions include his study of how drugs relieve pain and the effect of opiates and marijuana on the brain and disease.

Dewey has worked as a scientist, mentor and administrator during his more than 30-year career. His many accomplishments include serving as president of three different national and international scientific organizations.

"It is fitting that Bill received the most prestigious national award there is for lifetime achievement in drug-abuse research," said Louis Harris, Ph.D., associate vice president for health sciences at VCU and fellow researcher. "He’s a tremendous laboratory person and his ability to interact with people is one of his strongest attributes. A lot of relationships between researchers and the pharmaceutical industry have been strengthened because of Bill’s involvement."

Balster received the CPDD Mentorship Award for exemplary mentoring of developing researchers. Nominated by former students, Balster is the inaugural recipient of the award. With a primary research interest in drug effects on behavior, Balster has advised many doctoral students and postdoctoral trainees, and has served as the director of graduate training for pharmacology and toxicology at VCU.

"The mentoring award is a very prestigious national award. It reflects the quality of training and professional advancement that Bob has provided his students over the years," said Roy W. Pickens, Ph.D., associate vice president for research and director of research in VCU’s Department of Psychiatry. "Many of Bob’s students have gone on to become distinguished investigators. This award is a credit to both Bob and to VCU."

His students could not agree more.

"Dr. Balster’s passion for policy issues, in addition to academic teaching and research training, serve to instill the highest goals of achievement in his trainees," said Lisa H. Gold,Ph.D., associate professor for The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Calif., and adjunct associate professor in the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego. "Not only did I learn about my particular research project when I studied with him, I was exposed to a vast array of techniques and processes by which to tackle new research problems. The experience proved invaluable."

The CPDD is the oldest research society in the U.S. that addresses issues of drug dependence and abuse. It functions as an independent membership organization that serves to interface among governmental regulatory and research agencies and scientific, professional and academic communities. CPDD also collaborates with the World Health Organization.