Scottsdale, Arizona

The 2001 annual ISGIDAR Scientific Meeting was held Saturday 15 June at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ. As usual, the meeting was held as a satellite session immediately preceding the annual scientific meeting of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. An outstanding series of scientific papers was presented between 8:30 and 5:00 PM (see http://isgidar.org for program) and the business meeting was held immediately thereafter.

The ISGIDAR business meeting was called to order by the President, Jim Zacny. At the 2001 meeting, we had 89 registrants and 59 at lunch. Marilyn Carroll presented the treasurers report. The income from the meeting was $4,915 and the expenses including a student travel award and invited speaker award were $5,578.56, leaving a current balance of $3,982.78. Overall, the lunch paid for itself. In terms of other expenses, in addition to the travel awards, the Scottsdale Princess charged us $4,578.56 for the 1 day meeting (and we didn't even get a projectionist - ouch!). As a result, this year we had a net loss of -$663.56. The potential costs of next years meeting, including membership fees, were discussed. The majority agreed that the registration fee for next year’s meeting in Quebec City would remain at $50 (not including lunch). With the issue of different currencies, it would be quite beneficial to the treasurer if we made every effort to pre-register with a check. This can be done directly through Marilyn Carroll at the following address: Department of Psychiatry, Box 392 UMHC, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Marilyn has agreed to continue as treasurer, to which she received (and deserved) a loud ovation of approval from the members.

In the membership category, approximately 40 submitted ballots approved 10 new members. Our newest members are: Michael Bardo, Sandra Comer, Thomas Eissenberg, James E. Grobe, Meg Haney, Carl Hart, Paul Vezina and Sharon L. Walsh. Nominations for new members should be sent to the President of ISGIDAR and will be collated for a vote by ballot preceding the next annual meeting.

After these two "new business" items were discussed, Jim Zacny stepped down as President and handed the baton to Jace Glowa. The membership uniformly considered Jim’s two-year appointment as President a huge success and thanked him for his outstanding contributions to the group. President Glowa's first order of business was asking for nominees for Secretary. In the end, Mike Nader was elected Secretary of ISGIDAR. While Marilyn Carroll has agreed to continue serving, she has been our treasurer for almost 10 years, and would appreciate it if someone (anyone!) would be interested in taking over those responsibilities.

What followed next was a discussion of the themes for symposia at the annual meeting. Most agreed that the "special" symposium describing papers that were influential in an individual's career development was a great success. Some consideration for next year is to use the same format (i.e., 5-10 minute presentations) but describe an individual that helped "show you the way". President Glowa will bring this up (via e-mail) for further discussion as the 2002 meeting approaches. Also, please send e-mail requests/suggestions to Jace regarding possible plenary speakers for the 2002 meeting.

Drug Self-Administration Database – there was much discussion regarding the self-administration database that currently exists. Bob Balster recommended that ISGIDAR find a way to facilitate the extension of the current database to include all relevant papers and be able to search with key words. Jonathan Kamien pointed out that this is a very time consuming (and expensive) process. Richard Foltin commented that he has an extensive self-administration database (with key words) that he would be willing to share (thanks Richard!). Jonathan and Richard will work out these details and inform the group at a later date.

ISGIDAR abstracts – a suggestion was made that the abstracts submitted to the President as part of the consideration for accepting papers for oral presentation should be published. Bob Balster said that it was possible that ISGIDAR could negotiate with CPDD to have the abstracts published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Others pointed out that one of the strengths of ISGIDAR is the presentation of new, and many times, very preliminary work. As a result, a published abstract may seem inappropriate. A straw vote taken at the business meeting failed to approve the motion that abstracts be published.

Information technology – it is clear that the best way to communicate with the members is via e-mail and through the ISGIDAR Discussion List (ISGIDAR-L@lists.vcu.edu). This has been facilitated, in no small part, by the hard work of Jonathan Kamien. A motion was placed and seconded that Jonathan be included on the newsletter masthead and that he be official described as "Chief Technology Officer". This was confirmed by vote. Congratulations Jonathan and many thanks for your efforts. In the near future, newsletters will be sent electronically, so if you received this hard copy, but are not on the Discussion List, please sign-up.

Decade of Behavior: ISGIDAR has endorsed an Initiative called the Decade of Behavior, which was officially launched last year. One of its prime purposes is to join forces with other behavioral and social science organizations to educate policy makers, journalists, and the public about the value of the behavioral sciences. A number of other initiatives, including potential support for a distinguished speaker at our meeting, a searchable website for behavioral funding, and the development of an outreach program are underway. A meeting with representatives from the sixty-two endorsing scientific organizations was held last month in Washington to discuss plans. Materials and information can be obtained from Keren Yari (kyari@apa.org) or the website www.decadeofbehavior.org. -the prez

Recent Publications: ISGIDAR Member Bibliographies

• Walker DJ, Zacny JP. Analysis of the reinforcing and subjective effects of different doses of nitrous oxide using a free-choice procedure. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, in press.
• Walker DJ, Zacny JP. Lack of effects of ethanol pretreatment on the abuse liability of nitrous oxide in light and moderate drinkers. Addiction, in press.
• Walker DJ, Zacny JP, Galva KE, Lichtor JL. Subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of cumulative doses of mixed-action opioids in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology 155: 362-371, 2001.
• Walker DJ, Zacny JP. Within- and between-subject variability in the reinforcing and subjective effects of nitrous oxide in healthy volunteers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 64: 85-96, 2001.

William L. Woolverton, Ph.D.

• Rowlett JK, Woolverton WL. Discriminative stimulus effects of panadiplon (U-78875), a partial agonist at the benzodiazepine site, in pentobarbital rhesus monkeys. Drug Alc. Dep. 61: 229-236, 2001.
• Gerak LR, France CP, Woolverton WL, Nader MA, Patrick GA, Harris LS, Winger G, Woods JH. Behavioral effects of flunitrazepam: reinforcing and discriminative stimulus effects in rhesus monkeys and prevention of withdrawal signs in pentobarbital-dependent rats. Drug Alc. Dep. 63: 39-49, 2001.
• Woolverton WL, Hecht GS, Agoston GE, Katz JL, Newman AH. Further studies of the reinforcing effects of benztropine analogs in rhesus monkeys. Psychopharmacology 154: 375-382, 2001.
• Ranaldi R, Wang Z, Woolverton WL. Reinforcing effects of D2 dopamine receptor agonists and partial agonists in rhesus monkeys. Drug Alc. Depend. 64: 209-217, 2001.
• Anderson KG, Winger G, Woods JH, Woolverton WL. Reinforcing and discriminative stimulus effects of ephedrine isomers in rhesus monkeys. Drug Alc. Depend., in press.
• Wilcox KM, Paul IA, Ordway GA, Woolverton WL. Role of the dopamine transporter and the sodium channel in the cocaine-like discriminative stimulus effects of local anesthetics in rats. Psychopharmacology 157: 260-268, 2001.

James P. Zacny, Ph.D.

• Zacny JP, Hurst RJ, Graham L, Janiszewski DJ (January, 2002). Pre-operative dental anxiety and mood changes during nitrous oxide inhalation. J Amer Dental Assoc.
• Zacny JP. Effects of sex on morphine responses in humans: a retrospective analysis. Drug Alcohol Dep, 63: 23-28, 2001.
• Draganich LF, Zacny JP, Klafta J, Karrison T. The effects of antidepressants on obstructed and unobstructed gait in the healthy elderly. J Gerentol: Med Sci, 56A: M36-M41, 2001.
• Hill JL, Zacny JP. Comparing the subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of intravenous hydromorphone and morphine in normal volunteers. Psychopharmacology 152: 31-39, 2000.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown Medical School invites applications for a research faculty position with expertise in neurobiological approaches to addiction at the Assistant Professor (Research) or Associate Professor (Research) level. The new faculty member will be part of the Brown University Center for Addiction and Alcohol Studies (CAAS). CAAS is an interdisciplinary center of excellence in addiction research and training with over 45 faculty and 12 post-doctoral fellows. Qualifications include a Ph.D., or equivalent degree, in neuroscience, pharmacology or psychology. To be hired at the Associate Professor (Research) level, the successful applicant must have attained national recognition through significant research contributions in peer-reviewed journals and must have established an independent or collaborative productive research program. A background in animal or cellular models of addiction and neurochemistry, molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology or neuropharmacology is preferred. The successful candidate is expected to maintain and establish an independent, extramurally supported research program and have some experience in graduate training. The position offers exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary research within the Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health, Neuroscience, Molecular Pharmacology and Psychology, with access to graduate students and the possibility of a joint appointment in Psychology. State-of-the-art neurobiological research laboratory space is provided at the Providence V. A. Medical Center and generous start-up support is offered for this position. Applications will be reviewed until a successful candidate is selected or when the search is closed. Interested individuals should send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names of three references to:
Martin B. Keller, M.D.
Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
Brown University
Psychiatrist-In-Chief, Butler Hospital
345 Blackstone Blvd.
Providence, RI 02906.
Brown University is an EEO/AA employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, and protected persons.

Research Associate or Senior Research Associate, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mississippi Medical Center. Develop, implement and publish research relating to the neurobiological and behavioral effects of abused drugs, particularly in relation to drug self-administration by non-human primates. The relationship between brain monoamine transporters and drug reinforcement is a primary interest. A Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Neuroscience or Psychology is required. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Send c.v., description of research experience and goals, and names of three references to:
William L. Woolverton, Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 N. State Street
Jackson, MS, 39216. Or contact Dr. Woolverton at the CPDD meeting. EOE, M/F/D/V.

A Staff Scientist position is available in the Medications Discovery Research Branch of the Intramural Research Program (Addiction Research Center) at the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Research focuses on the behavioral and neurochemical effects of drugs of abuse and, particularly, the pharmacological mechanisms that underlie the behavioral effects of abused drugs. Current emphasis is on the behavioral effects of cocaine, methamphetamine and related stimulants. The incumbent will be responsible for studies using in vivo microdialysis, and integrating results of those studies with results of behavioral and neurochemical studies. The behavioral studies examine psychomotor stimulant actions, discriminative stimulus effects, and reinforcing effects. Neurochemical studies examine receptor binding, functional assays of neurotransmitter uptake, and regulation of second messenger function. Applicants should have a strong interest in pharmacology and behavioral science, with expertise using in
vivo microdialysis. Applicants will be expected to collaborate within an interdisciplinary group of pharmacologists, behavioral psychologists and medicinal chemists. Pay is commensurate with experience. Interested individuals should send curriculum vitae to:
Jonathan L. Katz, Acting Chief,
Medications Discovery Research Branch
NIDA Intramural Research Program
P.O. Box 5180
Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Telephone: 410/550-1533.
E-Mail: jkatz@intra.nida.nih.gov

The Department of Behavioral Science and the University of Kentucky have a strong history of research and research training in drug abuse, and seeks to expand its treatment research capacity. A new full-time and tenure track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level is available. The first priority for the successful candidate will be to develop an extramurally funded, nationally-recognized research program focused on the treatment of drug abuse. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the teaching mission of the Department and College. A completed advanced degree (e.g., M.D., Ph.D.) is required, and postdoctoral training is preferred. The Department of Behavioral Science is a multidisciplinary, basic science department within the College of Medicine at the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky is a Carnegie Class I research institution moving rapidly toward becoming one of the top 20 public research universities in the United States. The University is located in central Kentucky1s beautiful Bluegrass region, an area known for its high quality of life. Lexington is a growing community of approximately 330,000 with excellent schools, diverse business and industry, excellent recreational opportunities, and a variety of cultural events. Information about the Department is available at www.mc.uky.edu/behavioralscience. Interested applicants should submit a current curriculum vitae, a letter of application outlining their research and teaching experience and interests, and three letters of recommendation to:
Thomas H. Kelly
Department of Behavioral Science
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Lexington, KY 40536-0086,
E-mail: thkelly@uky.edu.
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The University of Kentucky is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY’s Department of Psychology has an opening for an entry-level tenure-eligible Assistant Professor in the Experimental Psychologist / Psychopharmacologist program starting in the fall of 2002. Candidates with experience in drug dependence and/or psychopharmacology research with human participants are being sought. Training in Biological, Cognitive, Experimental, and/or Social Psychology is expected. Possible areas of research include (but are not limited to): cognitive factors that contribute to drug use; drug studies in human research participants; social factors that contribute to the initiation or continuation of drug use; the etiology of addictive disorders; treatment research; and consequences of drug and alcohol use. Opportunities for collaboration also exist with faculty in the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies. These include other faculty in Psychology (Thomas Eissenberg, Joe Porter and Dace Svikis), Addiction Medicine/Psychiatry (Deborah Haller, Paula Horvatich and Roy Pickens), and Pharmacology and Toxicology (Robert Balster, Patrick Beardsley, William Dewey, Louis Harris, Billy Martin, Michael Miles, Katherine Nicholson, John Rosecrans, Keith Shelton and Jenny Wiley). Applicants should submit a curriculum vita, reprints or preprints, a statement of current research and teaching interests, and three letters of reference to the:
Experimental/Psychopharmacologist Search Committee
Department of Psychology
Virginia Commonwealth University
P.O. Box 842018
Richmond, VA 23284-2018.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a culturally diverse university and an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Division of Behavioral Biology at Johns Hopkins University has openings for postdoctoral fellows interested in joining a productive research program with excellent resources. Fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty (Elise Weerts, Ph.D., Nancy Ator, Ph.D., Robert Hienz, Ph.D. Michael Weed, Ph.D., and Roland Griffiths, Ph.D.) on NIH-funded research projects in non-human primates involving oral and intravenous drug self-administration, intragastric drug administration, and drug discrimination, auditory perceptual discrimination, and behavioral observational procedures. Current research includes investigations of 1) the behavioral pharmacology of novel benzodiazepine (BZ)-receptor partial/selective agonists and inverse agonists, 2) the physical dependence potential of novel sedative/hypnotic drugs, 3) the role of GABA in the reinforcing and discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine, 4) the interaction of the reinforcing effects of caffeine with those of abused stimulant drugs (cocaine and nicotine), 5) the development of a primate model of alcohol ‘craving’ using classical conditioning, operant conditioning and self-administration procedures, 6) the effects of abused drugs upon the perception of species-specific vocal communications of varying motivational and social significance, and 7) the behavioral/cognitive effects of drugs of abuse in combination with SIV-AIDS. Candidates should send their curriculum vitae and a brief statement of research interests to the address below, along with any pertinent publications and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and E-mail addresses of three references. Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree in Psychology, Pharmacology or a related field. Women and Minority applicants are especially encouraged to apply. Send materials to:
Michelle Woodland-Evans
(Email: mwoodlan@mail.jhmi.edu)
Division of Behavioral Biology/Suite 3000
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
5510 Nathan Shock Drive
Baltimore, MD 21224.
Applications will be accepted until positions are filled.

Postdoctoral research fellowships in stimulating, productive program with excellent resources. Prepare as independent investigator.
HUMAN LABORATORY -- behavioral & clinical pharmacology of abused drugs (abuse liability, self-administration, cognitive function, neuroimaging); anti-drug-abuse medications development. Opioids, cocaine, anxiolytics, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine.
CLINICAL TRIALS – testing medications, verbal & behavioral therapies (esp. incentive/motivation-based), and combinations; psychiatric comorbidity research; addiction & pregnancy/women. Opioid, cocaine, tobacco, mixed/other dependencies.
Start Date: Flexible, some now.
Eligibility: citizen, permanent resident. A broad range of backgrounds are appropriate – from clinical/counseling to experimental/neuroscience.
NIH stipend levels: $28-44K+.
Contact:
Sharon Walsh, George Bigelow, Roland Griffiths, or Maxine Stitzer
BPRU
Behavioral Biology Research Center
5510 Nathan Shock Drive
Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus
Baltimore, Maryland 21224-6823.
(410) 550-1060; swalsh@jhmi.edu. Cf http://bpru.med.jhu.edu

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Substance Abuse
University of Vermont
The University of Vermont announces the availability of two postdoctoral research fellowship positions in a stimulating and productive research setting. Position 1: Clinical trials and laboratory studies of behavioral and pharmacological therapies for treatment of opioid dependence in adults and adolescents, including motivation-based and computer-assisted therapies. Emphasis on development and evaluation of cost-effective treatment and behavioral economics of drug abuse treatment. Position 2: Studies of self-control (delay discounting) in various drug dependent populations. Applicants must have completed doctoral training in psychology or pharmacology and have research experience. Applicants must be US citizens. Individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. The position offers a competitive stipend. Fellowships begin ASAP and last 2-3 yrs.
Send letters of interest, vita, and letters of reference to:
Warren K. Bickel, Ph.D.
Human Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory
Department of Psychiatry
38 Fletcher Place
Burlington, Vermont 05401-1419.
Email: warren.bickel@uvm.edu
Phone (802) 656-9616
Fax (802) 656-9628

A POSTDOCTORAL POSITION is available for an interested and qualified individual to join a productive research environment investigating the neuropharmacology of cocaine abuse in nonhuman primate models. Models utilized include intravenous drug self-administration and drug discrimination, as well as the use of the noninvasive imaging procedure positron emission tomography (PET). Projects include the investigation of social stress on cocaine self-administration in group-housed macaques, the evaluation of high-affinity dopamine and serotonin transport blockers as potential pharmacotherapies for cocaine abuse, the study of dopamine D2-like antagonists on cocaine’s reinforcing and discriminative stimulus effects and the long-term consequences of cocaine self-administration on dopamine receptor function as determined by PET. Candidate should have a Ph.D. in Pharmacology, Psychology, Neuroscience or related areas. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, summary of research interests and names of three references to:
Michael A. Nader, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1083
FAX: 336-713-7168
email: mnader@wfubmc.edu