New Research Scientist Joins FRI

FRI is pleased to announce that Dr. Erica Peters has accepted a position as an Assistant Research Scientist at FRI. Dr. Peters is a clinical psychologist specializing in treatment efficacy, human laboratory, and natural history studies for marijuana and tobacco cessation. Her research aims are to: (1) enhance behavioral interventions for marijuana dependence, (2) identify factors that interfere with marijuana cessation, (3) understand the combined effects of marijuana and tobacco use, and (4) promote tobacco cessation among high-risk populations. Dr. Peters has provided empirically-supported treatments to adults and young adults with substance and alcohol use disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, insomnia, and pain. From 2006 to 2008, she served on the Vermont Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board, a state board that oversees the independent evaluation of the Vermont Tobacco Control Program. Dr. Peters received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Vermont and completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Yale University School of Medicine. She is licensed to practice psychology in Maryland and is a member of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence, Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, and American Psychological Association. FRI is extremely pleased to welcome Dr. Peters and wishes her a prosperous career with the organization.

FRI Employee, Jan Gryczynski, Awarded Doctoral Degree

FRI is pleased to announce that Jan Gryczynski, Research Scientist at FRI, recently received his Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. For his doctoral research, Dr. Gryczynski conducted a national study of on-site HIV testing in nearly 10,000 substance abuse treatment programs across the United States. His research employed multilevel statistical modeling to examine specific organizational, community, and state policy determinants of HIV testing adoption in the substance abuse treatment sector. The study sheds light on the complex interplay between policies, local contexts, and organizational characteristics in shaping the diffusion of an evidence-based service throughout a specialty sector of the healthcare system.

Dr. Gryczynski came to FRI in 2006 as a research assistant to work on disease prevention issues in American Indian communities. Since then, he has been involved in a number of projects at FRI and is currently working with FRI investigators on several substance abuse health services studies. He plans to continue his work at FRI to identify ways of improving behavioral health services for individuals affected by substance abuse and related issues.

FRI Welcomes Dr. Melicia Whitt-Glover as an Affiliated Senior Research Scientist

Dr. Whitt-Glover is President and CEO of Gramercy Research Group in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is a community-based researcher with background, training, and experience in exercise science and epidemiology. Her research activities include developing and assessing interventions to increase physical activity in racial/ethnic minority communities.

FRI researchers look forward to collaborating with Dr. Whitt-Glover on future research initiatives.

NPR article: Dr. Jerome Jaffe’s study, The Connection Between New Year’s Resolutions and a Landmark Study Regarding Heroin Addiction Among Returning Vietnam War Veterans

Read a 2012 NPR article that refers to FRI Senior Research Scientist, Dr. Jerome Jaffe, about a connection between New Year’s Resolutions and the landmark study about heroin addiction among returning Vietnam War veterans commissioned by Dr. Jaffe and led by the late Dr. Lee Robins.
[ What Vietnam Taught Us About Breaking Bad Habits ]

Dr. Robert P. Schwartz

Dr. Robert Schwartz Invited to Serve on Editorial Board

FRI is pleased to announce that its Medical Director, Robert Schwartz, M.D., was recently invited to serve on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment (JSAT). The Journal features original research, systematic reviews and reports on meta-analyses on addictive disorders, including alcohol, illicit and prescription drugs, and nicotine. Dr. Schwartz’s appointment is from 2012-2014.

Dr. Robert P. Schwartz

Dr. Robert Schwartz Presents Findings in Russia

FRI is pleased to announce that its Medical Director, Robert Schwartz, M.D., was recently invited by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime to present on evidenced-based drug abuse treatment guidelines and his recent research findings at an International Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, which was held at the Bekhterev Research Psychoneurological Institute on October 25th and 26th, 2011. Dr. Schwartz’s presentation was entitled “Evidence-based Addiction Psychiatry: A view from the United States.” FRI congratulates Dr. Schwartz for his important ongoing contributions to studying effective approaches to substance abuse treatment.

Top Work Places 2011

FRI Named Top Workplace 2011

Friends Research Institute was recently named to the list of “The Baltimore Sun Top Workplaces” for 2011. The evaluation for the Top Workplaces program is based upon feedback from employee surveys. FRI had a high survey response rate from its employees. Of 115 companies that participated in the program, 75 companies were selected for the Top Workplaces award. FRI is honored to be included, particularly as the judges were our employees!

Dr. Frank Vocci

FRI President Joins Journal of Addiction Medicine

Dr. Frank Vocci has been named as the third Co-Editor of Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).

Dr. Vocci joins Journal of Addiction Medicine at a critical time, with the journal experiencing such recent changes as inclusion in PubMed, a commitment to increase issue count from four issues to six issues a year, and an addition of electronic publication ahead of print.

FRI congratulates Dr. Vocci on his selection.

FRI logo thumbnail

West Coast Administration Office Relocates

Effective December 29, 2009, the West Coast Administrative Office’s new address is 11835 W. Olympic Boulevard, Suite 755E, Los Angeles, CA 90064. Phone and fax numbers remain the same.

FRI logo thumbnail

Corporate Headquarters Relocates

The FRI Corporate Headquarters has moved its office to the Social Research Center site effective November 1, 2009. The new address is 1040 Park Avenue, Suite 103, Baltimore, MD 21201. The phone number is 410-837-3977 and the fax number is 410-752-4218. The main email address remains the same at FRI@friendsresearch.org.