Dewey Receives NIDA's Lifetime Achievement Award
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently presented a lifetime scientific achievement award to Dr. William Dewey, the Louis S. and Ruth S. Harris professor and chair of the department of pharmacology and toxicology at Virginia Commonwealth University.
NIDA presented the award during the 147th meeting of the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse to honor Dewey’s unwavering commitment to addiction research and training.
Dewey’s career is emblazoned with nearly 400 publications and seminal contributions that reflect his lifelong interest in understanding how addictive drugs in general, and opioids in particular, work. His work has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying opioid-mediated tolerance, dependence, and analgesia, using tools and approaches that include neurochemistry, pharmacology, whole-cell imaging and behavioral research.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Dewey has been among the staunchest supporters of NIDA’s mission. He created the Friends of NIDA 20 years ago and, under his leadership, the Friends of NIDA coalition has leveraged the synergistic power of dozens of organizations including scientific and professional societies, patient groups, community organizations and others to educate policymakers and the public on the value of addiction research through education and advocacy.
“Today we not only recognize his many contributions to science and training of future generations of scientists but also pay tribute to the enduring power of human curiosity, good citizenship and unwavering support of one’s trainees and colleagues,” said Dr. Nora Volkow, director of NIDA. “The work that will leave the greatest mark on our field is Bill’s steadfast and lifelong commitment to research training.”