Two researchers have been awarded INVEST/Clinical Trial Network (CTN) fellowships, which provide 12 months of postdoctoral research training in the United States with a scientist affiliated with 1 of the 13 CTN Regional Research and Training Centers. The new fellows are:
- Chandra K. Jha, Ph.D., Australia. Dr. Jha will investigate factors related to relapse among former and relapsed Nepali drug users, and how public health strategies can minimize relapse risks. His mentor is Dennis M. Donovan, Ph.D., University of Washington. The fellowship evolved from previous collaboration between the two researchers, who co-authored a paper together in 2013 [Jha, C. & Donovan, D. (2013). Prison—A Missing Target to Address Issues Related to Drug Detoxification and Rehabilitation: Nepalese Experiences. International Journal of Prisoners Health, 9(4): 208–219].
- Jinsong Tang, M.D., China. Dr. Tang will conduct a secondary analysis based on NIDA-funded clinical research investigating the safety and efficacy of extended-release depot naltrexone plus extended-release bupropion to treat methamphetamine dependence. He will then design a study comparing the safety and efficacy of varenicline to a placebo as a treatment for methamphetamine dependence for patients already receiving behavioral therapies such as contingency management or cognitive behavioral therapy. His mentor is Walter Ling, M.D., University of California Los Angeles.