NIH Record - National Institutes of Health

NIDA Staff Honored for Addiction Research

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Dr. Sorensen shows his award with Dr. Lin and Dr. He
Dr. Roger Sorensen (c) accepts his Outstanding Service Award in the company of NIDA’s Dr. Woody Lin (l) and Dr. Johnny He, outgoing SNP president.
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Dr. Rapaka holds up his award
Dr. Rao Rapaka displays his award

Two NIDA intramural staff members, Dr. Rao Rapaka and Dr. Roger Sorensen, received awards at the Society of Neuroimmune Pharmacology’s 25th annual scientific conference Apr. 10-13 in Portland, Ore. 

Sorensen, chief of the Integrative Neuroscience Branch, won the Outstanding Service Award for his management and direction of a basic biomedical research grant portfolio that seeks to identify the biological actions of psychoactive drugs on the function and structure of the brain and nervous system, especially those actions that contribute to the behavioral changes leading to substance use and addiction.  

Rapaka, chief of the Chemistry and Pharmacology Branch, won the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and visionary outlook in creating new directions for research in drug use and his vision in bringing cutting-edge advances in the fields of lipidomics. He was also cited for his passion for mentoring scientists, paving the way for seminal discoveries in new approaches, targets and medications in development for drug use pharmacotherapy. 

Because of his research, Rapaka also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the University of Arizona during a symposium on the neurobiology of pain and addiction held Apr. 24

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Staff Writer: Amber Snyder
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