Office of the Director

- Mission
- Program Areas
- Program Announcements
- Contacts

Mission

The Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (DBNBR) supports basic research on the causes and consequences of drugs of abuse and addiction processes. DBNBR is one of four divisions within NIDA and comprises four branches:

• Functional Neuroscience Research Branch
• Chemistry and Physiological Systems Research Branch
• Behavioral and Cognitive Science Research Branch
• Genetics and Molecular Neurobiology Research Branch

Program Areas

• Models of Addiction. Neural circuits underlying natural and drug reward; biobehavioral models of craving, relapse, compulsive behavior; neural systems and drug/behavior interaction; vertebrate, and invertebrate models.
• Drug-Induced Neuroadaptaton & Neuropathology in Brain Systems. Consequences of acute or chronic exposure to addictive drugs; neurotoxicity and its behavioral, physiological, or biochemical consequences; neuroAIDS; adaptation (ie, sensitization, tolerance, plasticity).
• Pain and Analgesia. Modulation of acute and chronic pain by brain and spinal mechanisms; antinociceptive actions of opioids, cannabinoids, peptides; cellular processes of pain, analgesia, tolerance (ie, receptor internalization); basis of alternative therapy (ie, acupuncture).
• Cognitive Processes. Neural mechanisms of drug-induced modification of cognitive processes (learning, memory, attention, associations, decision making, etc)
• Vulnerability to Drug Abuse. The brain process(es) by which physiological factors (e.g., stress, age, hormonal status, gender, affect), genetic constitution, past experience, or social interaction contributes to the drug experience or addiction liability of abused substances.
• Developmental Effects. Consequences of in utero and perinatal drug exposure on the nervous system and other organs as well as ontogenetic effects throughout the life-span. Adaptive and developmental cellular biology including nonclassical neural communication.
• Neuropsychopharmacology of Drugs of Abuse. Studies relating drugs of abuse to neural systems (e.g., mechanism of action of psychomotor stimulants on monoaminergic systems or nicotine and cholinergic neurotransmission); behavioral consequences of receptor subtype activation; regulation of neural systems; function of endogenous systems (e.g., endorphins, anandamide, excitatory amino acids, etc in health and disease).
• Genetic Basis of Vulnerability of Drug Addiction.
• Neuroimmune Relationships, Including Studies of HIV and AIDS Related to Neural or Infectivity Processes. Studies related to cytokine and chemokine modulation of neural function, amplification/diminution of these processes by toxins; interaction of these systems with the immune system and hence, modulation of disease.
• Innovative Chemical Design of New Entities and Probes. These include molecular probes, imaging agents, receptor selective ligands, potential new drug candidates; development of new ligands with computer-aided drug design or combinatorial chemistry or screening technologies; and structure-activity relationships.
• Development of Innovative Analytical Methods. Quantitation of endogenous compounds, drugs and metabolites.

Program Announcements for DBNBR

RFA-MH-09-030: Probes and Instrumentation for Monitoring and Manipulating Nervous System Plasticity (R01) Letters of Intent Receipt Date(s): August 16, 2008; Application Submission/Receipt Date(s): September 16, 2008

PAR-08-139: Enhancing Zebrafish Research with Research Tools and Techniques (R01)

PA-08-129: Prescription Drug Misuse (R03)

PA-08-128: Prescription Drug Misuse (R21)

PA-08-127: Prescription Drug Misuse (R01)

PA-08-098: Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R21)

PA-08-097: Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R01)

PAR-08-086: NIDA Comprehensive Research "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P60)

PAR-08-081: Research Education Grants for Statistical Training in the Genetics of Addiction (R25)

PAR-08-073: NIDA Core "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P30)

PA-08-053: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (R21)

PA-08-052: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine (R01)

PAR-08-046: NIDA Research "Center of Excellence" Grant Program (P50)

PAR-08-035: Solicitation of Assays for High Throughput Screening (HTS) in the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN) (R03)

PAR-08-034: Solicitation of Assays for High Throughput Screening (HTS) in the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN) (X01)

PAR-08-023: Predictive Multiscale Models of the Physiome in Health and Disease (R01)

PA-08-013: ELSI Small Research Grant Program (R03)

PA-08-012: ELSI Regular Research Program (R01)

PAR-08-010: Continued Development and Maintenance of Software (R01)

PAR-07-426: Sharing Data and Tools: Federation using BIRN and caBIG Infrastructures (R01)

PAR-07-425: Data Ontologies for Biomedical Research (R01)

PAR-07-416: Developmental Pharmacology (R01)

PA-07-390: Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement (SBIR [R41/R42])

PA-07-389: Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement (SBIR [R43/R44])

PAS-07-382: Advancing Novel Science in Women's Health Research (ANSWHR) (R03)

PAS-07-381: Advancing Novel Science in Women's Health Research (ANSWHR) [R21]

NOT-OD-07-068: Extension of Expiration Date and Clarification of Eligibility for Reentry Supplement

NOT-DA-07-028: Notice of Intent to Publish a Program Announcement to Support Research by Newly Independent Chemistry Investigators for the Study of Drug Abuse and Addiction

NOT-DA-07-019: Notice of Availability of NIDA Genetics Consortium (NGC) Samples for Access by Qualified Investigators through NIDA Center for Genetic Studies

NOT-MH-07-106: Request for Information (RFI): Tools and Resources for Research on Neuronal Plasticity (Neuroscience Blueprint)

NOT-NS-07-009: Announcement for the US-JAPAN Brain Research Cooperative Program - US Component

NOT-DA-07-016: Notice of New Receipt Date for PA-07-349: AIDS-Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03) Applications

NOT-DA-07-010: Request for Information (RFI): Community Input for Nominating Single Nucleotide Polmorphisms or Genes Associated with Drug Abuse and Related Psychiatric Co-morbidities to Develop a Custom SNP Neuroarray

NOT-DA-07-001: Notice of Intent to Publish an R01 Request for Applications for Mechanisms of Drug Abuse Interactions with HIV Neuropathogenesis to Accompany the Published R21

NOT-DA-06-033: Notice of Intent to Publish a Program Announcement Encouraging Research in the Functional Genetics and Genomics of Drug Addiction

NOT-DA-06-032: Update regarding NIDA participation in PAS-05-078, PAS-06-275, and PAS-06-276 "Non-Human Lentiviral Models of the Neurological Complications of AIDS"

NOT-DA-07-007: Notice of New Receipt Dates for Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21) Applications

PA-07-375: Psychopharmacology of Widely Available Psychoactive Natural Products (R03)

PA-07-374: Psychopharmacology of Widely Available Psychoactive Natural Products (R01)

PA-07-349: AIDS-Science Track Award for Research Transition (R03)

PA-07-331: Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R21)

PA-07-330: Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R03)

PA-07-329: Women and Sex/Gender Differences in Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence (R01)

PAS-07-327: Early Career Award in Chemistry of Drug Abuse and Addiction (ECHEM) - NIDA (R03)

PAS-07-326: Drug Abuse, Risky Decision Making and HIV/AIDS (R03)

PAS-07-325: Drug Abuse, Risky Decision Making and HIV/AIDS (R21)

PAS-07-324: Drug Abuse, Risky Decision Making and HIV/AIDS (R01)

PA-07-304: Novel Approaches to Enhance Animal Stem Cell Research (R21)

PA-07-303: Novel Approaches to Enhance Animal Stem Cell Research (R01)

PA-07-302: Application of Metabolomics for Translational and Biological Research (R21)

PA-07-301: Application of Metabolomics for Translational and Biological Research (R01)

PA-07-282: Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R01)

PA-07-279: Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01)

PA-07-266: Networks and Pathways Collaborative Research Projects (R01)

PA-07-228: Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R03)

PA-07-227: Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R21)

PA-07-226: Neuroscience Research on Drug Abuse (R01)

PA-07-222: Developmental Psychopharmacology (R21)

PAS-07-191: Non-Human Lentiviral Models of the Neurological Complications of AIDS (R01)

PAS-07-189: Interactions Between Stem and Progenitor Cells and the Microenvironment in Vivo (R01)

PA-07-121: The Development of Frontal Cortex and Limbic System and Their Roles in Drug Abuse or Mental Health (R01)

PA-07-117: Inhalant Abuse: Supporting Broad-Based Research Approaches (R01)

PA-07-089: HIV Infection of the Central Nervous System (R01)

PA-07-084: Developmental Psychopharmacology (R01)

PA-07-083: Basic and Translational Research in Emotion (R01)

PA-07-081: Women's Mental Health in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period (R01)

PA-07-073: Molecular Genetics of Drug Addiction and Related Co-morbidities (R01)

PAR-07-049: Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders

PAR-07-048: Drug Discovery for Nervous System Disorders (R01)

PA-06-544: Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R01)

PA-06-543: Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R03)

PA-06-542: Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R21)

PAR-06-541: Behavioral Science Track Award for Rapid Transition (B/START) (R03)

PA-06-533: Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R21)

PA-06-529: Preclinical Therapeutics Development for NeuroAIDS (R03)

PA-06-528: Preclinical Therapeutics Development for NeuroAIDS (R21)

PA-06-522: Networks and Pathways Collaborative Research Projects (R01)

PA-06-445: The Development of Frontal Cortex and Limbic System and Their Roles in Drug Abuse or Mental Health (R21)

PA-06-444: The Development of Frontal Cortex and Limbic System and Their Roles in Drug Abuse or Mental Health (R01)

PA-06-419: Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) [R01]

PA-06-418: Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) [R21]

PAR-06-411: Exploratory Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R21)

PAR-06-410: Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R01)

PA-06-380: Basic and Translational Research in Emotion (R01)

PA-06-379: Developmental Psychopharmacology

PA-06-377: Women's Mental Health in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period (R21)

PA-06-376: Women's Mental Health in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period (R01)

PA-06-327: Inhalant Abuse: Supporting Broad-Based Research Approaches (R21)

PA-06-328: Inhalant Abuse: Supporting Broad-Based Research Approaches (R03)

PAS-06-275: Non-Human Lentiviral Models of the Neurological Complications of AIDS (R03)

PAS-06-276: Non-Human Lentiviral Models of the Neurological Complications of AIDS (R21)

PA-06-278: Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement (R21)

PA-06-279: Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement (R01)

PAR-06-209: Cutting-Edge Basic Research Awards (CEBRA) (R21)

PAR-06-227: International Neuroscience Fellowship (F05)

PAS-06-207: Interactions Between Stem and Progenitor Cells and the Microenvironment (R03)

PAS-06-208: Interactions Between Stem and Progenitor Cells and the Microenvironment (R21)

PA-06-139: Preclinical Therapeutics Development for NeuroAIDS (R21)

PA-06-140: Preclinical Therapeutics Development for NeuroAIDS (R03)

PA-06-008: "Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative (STTR [R41/R42])

PA-06-009: "Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative SBIR (R43/R44)"

PA-06-018: "Development of PET and SPECT Ligands for Brain Imaging (STTR [R41/R42])"

PAS-05-092: Interactions Between Stem and Progenitor Cells and the Microenvironment In Vivo

NOT-DA-05-005: Revised NIDA Policy Update for Mentored and Career Development Awards (K Awards)

PA-05-054: Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior

PA-04-107: Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)

Training/Fellowship Grants

Contacts

David Shurtleff, Ph.D.
Director
(301) 443-1887

David Shurtleff is Director of the Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (DBNBR). Dr. Shurtleff is responsible for management of DBNBR program operations and maintains specific interest in decision theory, cognitive and behavioral science and the neurosciences as these areas of research relate to drug abuse and addiction.

Before becoming Director, Dr. Shurtleff served as the Deputy Director for the Division and as a Health Scientist Administrator in Behavioral Sciences Research Branch within the Division where he supported extramural research in the basic behavioral sciences, including research in the cognitive sciences, behavioral economics, decision theory, and human and animal models of impulsivity, risk taking and other aspects of drug addiction. Before coming to NIDA, Dr. Shurtleff was a Research Psychologist at the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda. While with the Navy he conducted basic behavioral, electrophysiological, cognitive, and field research on a variety of issues related to cognitive performance, environmental stress, and peripheral neuropathy. Before joining the Naval Medical Research Institute, Dr. Shurtleff was a Research Fellow at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, in the Department of Medical Neurosciences.

Paul Schnur, Ph.D.
Deputy Director for Program
(301) 443-1887

Dr. Schnur is an experimental psychologist with interests in the neuropsychopharmacology of drug abuse. He has conducted both animal and human research and has published in the areas of classical conditioning, selective attention, memory, and behavioral pharmacology. He brings interests in cognitive psychology to NIDA and is responsible for new initiatives that integrate cognitive, behavioral and social cognitive neuroscience approaches to understanding drug abuse. Dr. Schnur earned his Ph.D. at Indiana University (1970) and completed NIDA supported post-doctoral training at Brown University's Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies (1989-91). Dr. Schnur spent fourteen years at the University of Southern Colorado where he investigated biphasic effects of opiates on locomotor activity, conditioned tolerance/withdrawal and conditioned dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. Prior to joining NIDA, Dr. Schnur served as Chairperson of the Department of Psychology at Indiana University South Bend (1993-2000). He joined NIDA as a Program Officer during the summer of 2000.

Karen Skinner, Ph.D.
Deputy Director for Science and Technology Development
(301) 443-1887

Dr. Karen Skinner joined the NIH in 1989 as a program officer in Developmental Neurogenetics at the National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke. She moved to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 1991, and currently serves as the Deputy Director for Science and Technology Development in the Division of Neuroscience and Behavior Research at NIDA. Prior to joining the NIH, Dr. Skinner served as a Special Assistant for Science Policy to the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. During 1984-1986 she served as a Congressional Fellow in the office of Senator John Kerry (MA), concentrating on science, health and technology issues associated with the Senator's assignment on the Labor and Human Resources Committee. Dr. Skinner received her B.S. in Chemistry with Special Honors from George Washington University and her doctorate in chemistry from Yale University, where her research involved studying steric influences upon reaction pathways, including calculations of electrostatic and van der Waals forces among atoms in a known crystal structure. Dr. Skinner also holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from Harvard University where her studies included decision theory, statistics, information management systems and macro- and microeconomics. Throughout her career, Dr. Skinner has devoted herself to scientific communication. Prior to joining the government, she served as an Assistant Editor at Chemical and Engineering News magazine, authoring early reports on the emerging field of biotechnology. More recently, she has focused on digital communications, and has taught vector based digital animation using FLASH at NIH's Center for Information Technology and as a volunteer at a local high school. Recently she served as a visiting scientist at the National Center for Biomedical Information assigned to the electronic publishing project, PubMedCentral.

Charles Sharp
Special Assistant to the Director and DBNBR Training Coordinator
(301) 443-1887

Charles Sharp directs and oversees the DBNBR NRSA program of NIDA. This program subsumes the training of young individuals including Fellowships (F31, F30 and F32 grants), the Institute Training grants (T32 grants) and Career Development (primarily K01 and K08) grants. He also oversees the DBNBR AIDS program which focuses on preclinical and subclinical aspects of infections subsequent to pharmacological manipulation and also includes studies of the endogenous systems involved in these drug actions. This program also includes pharmaconeuroimmuno-manifestations of disease processes through studies of neuronal damage, glial systems and other aspects of the nervous system. For many years, Dr. Sharp has and will continue to provide major input into NIDA's program dealing with "Inhalant Abuse". This includes the preclinical research area, which focuses on toxicity and basic mechanisms of gas (e.g. nitrous oxide, fluorocarbons) and solvent (e.g. thinner, organic nitrites) and mixtures (e.g. glues, spray paints) as well as clinical problems and patterns of inhalant abuse.

Beth Grigson Babecki
Deputy to Training Coordinator
(301) 435-0899

Ms. Babecki serves as the Deputy Training Coordinator for the Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research (DBNBR) at NIDA. As a Program Official, she mentors applicants and grantees for both institutional (T32 grants) and individual training grants (F30, F31 and F32 grants). She also provides information on small grants (R03) and Career Development (K-type) grants. Ms. Babecki counsels applicants, reviews draft applications, and assists applicants in the interpretation of, and response to, scientific reviews. Principal Investigators are urged to contact her and discuss concerns, funding or other issues as they arise. Grantees are assisted in preparing special requests and any necessary actions are facilitated though internal review by the NIDA Research Training Committee. Fellows nearing completion of their fellowships are mentored on submission of a NIDA research grant and by providing advice using all available human and electronic resources. Ms. Babecki also coordinates activities related to drug testing in hair and other body fluids and tissues.

Joyce Williams
Program Analyst
(301)443-1887

Joyce Williams joined the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1988. She serves as a program analyst in the Division of Basic Neuroscience and Behavioral Research, Office of the Director. In this position she is responsible for tracking and analyzing the Divisions operating budget. She represents the division in a liaison capacity with the Management Services and Analysis Branch staff. Ms. Williams provides support to the Director and Deputy Director on special projects. Ms. Williams actively participates in the NIDA Neuroscience workgroup where she represents NIDA at the NIH's planning committee for the annual Neuroscience Meeting. She organizes, plans, coordinates and manages the logistics for NIDA's involvement at the Neuroscience Meeting yearly. She is the NIDA representative for the IntraMall activities.

Christie Baxter-Espinoza
Program Analyst
(301) 443-1887

As a Program Analyst for the Division, Ms. Baxter is responsible for developing the administrative and technical procedures for the Division. She assists in the processing and referral, updating, and analyzing grant applications with the Division's Director, Deputy Director, Associate Director, Special Assistant to the Director and Program Officials from the five branches of the Division. She is also responsible for preparing special reports for the Division such as the Operations Planning, Annual Report, Government Performance and Review Act reports, and other reports relating to funding and program activities. Ms. Baxter also develops and coordinates arrangements for workshops, meetings, and seminars sponsored by the Division. This includes the preparation and set up for presentations of scientific and non-scientific content.

Joni Rutter, Ph.D.
Program Director
(301) 435-0298

Dr. Rutter is a program director for human and population genetics, pharmacogenetics, bioinformatics, and molecular epidemiology, as they relate to vulnerabilities to drug abuse and addiction. Other interests include functional genomics in model organisms, technology development, and ethical, legal, and social issues in genetics. Dr. Rutter is actively involved in oversight and the continued development of genomics research at NIDA, which includes the NIDA Center for Genetic Studiesa repository of clinical data and biologic samples for drug abuse research in genetics.

Activities: Trans-NIH Group on Issues Related to Human Specimen Resource; NIDA Neuroscience Consortium; NIDA Genetics Consortium Steering Committee; NIDA Genetics Workgroup; Trans-NIH Genomics Resources Working Group, and she is an ex officio member of the DHHS Secretarys Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society.

Myriam Selmane
Program Analyst
(301) 443-1887