Nicotine and Tobacco Research Team (NTRT)

The mission of the NTRT is to:

  • Promote NIDA nicotine/tobacco research interests, primarily across the Institute and NIH
  • Serve as a clearinghouse of information to NIDA staff on timely information related to nicotine and tobacco research (including Tobacco Regulatory Science)
  • Inform the substance use research community on NIDA activities relating to nicotine and tobacco
  • Assist NIDA management in evaluating the nicotine and tobacco research portfolio
  • Identify and support new research programs and directions as they relate to nicotine and tobacco. 

Goals of the NTRT include:

  • Invite speakers to present at NIDA in a virtual format.  Topics would rotate across all areas of research supported by NIDA, including basic neuroscience, behavior, clinical research, therapeutic development, epidemiology, and prevention.
  • Provide networking opportunities between NIDA program staff and the nicotine and tobacco research staff of NIH IC’s and other HHS organizations (e.g., NCI, NHLBI, NIAAA, NICHD, FDA, and SAMHSA).
  • Meet regularly with NIDA Leadership to discuss the NIDA nicotine & tobacco portfolio, any ongoing issues, and identify gap areas to further explore.
  • Plan and conduct Pre-Conference Workshops and/or Symposia Sessions at the SRNT Annual Meeting or other scientifically pertinent meetings, possibly in collaboration with other NIH ICs and/or FDA CTP staff.  
  • Write and distribute the monthly NTRT Newsletter via Listserv email, which includes recent nicotine, tobacco, and tobacco regulatory science focused information. Content areas include high-profile research publications, changes in tobacco regulation, seminars, meetings, funding opportunities, news from the popular press, and related items.  

Membership in the NTRT is open to all NIDA extramural and intramural staff. Currently, membership in NTRT includes staff from across the various Divisions, Offices and Centers at NIDA HQ and NIDA IRP. If you would like to join and/or receive the Nicotine & Tobacco Research Team (NTRT) NEWSLETTER, please contact Flair Lindsey, flindsey@nida.nih.gov. 
  
For questions about the Nicotine and Tobacco Research Team, please contact either of the co-chairs, Flair Lindsey, flindsey@nida.nih.gov, or Heather Kimmel, heather.kimmel@nih.gov.

Core Membership

The Core Group of NTRT Program Staff have much of the nicotine and tobacco portfolio within each of their divisions or have significant other tobacco-related roles at NIDA. They represent a cross section of expertise such as pre-clinical, clinical, drug development, behavior, services, treatment, and epidemiology. 
  
Investigators interested in applying for NIDA research grants pertaining to nicotine and tobacco are encouraged to contact the relevant Program Staff to discuss their proposal in relation to NIDA research priorities. Additionally, investigators can review the NIDA strategic plan, which discusses the Institute's research priorities.

NameProgram Staff TitleBranchDivisionAreas of Expertise
Aklin, WillProgram Officer'Clinical Research Grants BranchDivision of Therapeutics and Medical Consequence
  • Behavioral treatments (targeting specific neurobehavioral processes)
  • Theory-derived treatment targets and mechanisms of behavior change, adherence, neuromodulation
  • Integration of behavioral/ pharmacological and technology-based treatment
Babecki, BethTraining CoordinatorOffice of the DNB DirectorDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • Institutional and individual research training grants (T32, F30, F31 and F32 awards)
  • Career development awards (K01, K03, K06, K99/R00)
  • Research education grants (R25)
  • Nicotine and tobacco research
  • Basic and clinical research with focus on chemistry, genetics, behavior and functional neuroscience
Compton, WilsonDeputy DirectorOffice of the DirectorOffice of the Director
  • Population sciences (epidemiology, comorbidity, health services)
  • Research training
  • Health disparities research
  • NIDA and FDA PATH Study
  • DHHS Tobacco Control Committee
Creamer, MeLisaHealth Scientist AdministratorEpidemiology Research BranchDivision of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
  • Epidemiology and surveillance of tobacco use
  • Marketing, point-of-sale, social media
  • Cognitive and affective factors related to tobacco use.
Fedota, JohnProgram OfficerBehavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience BranchDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • Cognitive neuroscience and neurobiological mechanistic investigation of nicotine use disorders
  • Focus on studies employing neuroimaging (MRI, EEG, others) and non-invasive brain stimulation
  • Disease trajectory and manipulations of nicotine state (sated/abstinent)
Fitz-Randolph, MarcyMedical OfficerServices Research BranchDivision of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
  • Tobacco and nicotine use in the context of polysubstance use
  • Implementation science related to smoking cessation services provision
  • Mobile and digital technology supporting smoking cessation
Herrmann, EvanHealth Scientist AdministratorClinical Research Grants Branch Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences
  • Human behavioral pharmacology of nicotine/tobacco
  • Smoking behavior, and clinical trials focused on treatment development
  • Behavioral economic and smoking topography assessments
  • Interactions between nicotine/tobacco and other medications/other drug use
  • Smoking cessation medications development research
  • Smoking during pregnancy/smoking cessation interventions targeting people who are pregnant
Kautz, Mary

Director, NIDA Tobacco Regulatory Science

Program Officer

Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience BranchDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • NIH-FDA Tobacco Regulatory Science Program (TRSP) Liaison
  • Human and animal studies on behavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological antecedents of exposure to nicotine and other drug use
  • Mechanisms underlying consequences of the various phases of substance use
Kimmel, Heather

The PATH Study Director at NIH

Program Officer

Epidemiology Research BranchDivision of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
  • Epidemiology of tobacco use comorbidity with psychiatric disorders
  • Polysubstance use
  • Genetic and environmental risk factors
  • Marketing, point-of-sale, social media, and risk perceptions
Lindsey, FlairProgram AnalystNIDA Tobacco Regulatory Science ProgramDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • NIH-FDA Tobacco Regulatory Science Program (TRSP)
  • TRSP career development awards (K01, K99)
  • Nicotine and Tobacco Research Team (NTRT) newsletter, web page and group
  • Research training
  • Health disparities
Nkongho, LizetteScientific Program ManagerBehavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience BranchDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • NIH-FDA Tobacco Regulatory Science Program (TRSP)
  • Neuropsychological effects of tobacco/nicotine products using EEGs
  • NIDA Drug Supply Program (Nicotine Research Cigarettes)
Pollock, JonathanBranch ChiefGenetics, Epigenetics, and Developmental Neuroscience BranchDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • Genetics of substance use disorder
  • Genetics and epigenetics of nicotine dependence
  • Pharmacogenomics of smoking cessation.
Romberg, AlexaProgram OfficerPrevention Research BranchDivision of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
  • Adolescent and young adult vaping and tobacco use
  • Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about tobacco products and use
  • Mass media health communication campaigns; Digital advertising
  • Survey design
  • Cognitive and developmental psychology
  • Learning and attention
Tsai, Shang-Yi (Anne)Program OfficerIntegrative Neuroscience BranchDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • Cellular and molecular neurobiology of addiction
  • SUD-related neuroinflammation in animal models.
  • Neuroimmue mechanisms as therapeutic targets for SUD and comorbidities. 
     
Vemuri, KiranProgram OfficerChemistry and Pharmacology BranchDivision of Neuroscience and Behavior
  • Organic Synthesis
  • Chemical Biology
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Tool/Probe Development
  • Therapeutics Discovery

Tobacco Regulatory Science Program (TRSP) Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs)

  • The Tobacco Regulatory Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) - RFA-OD-23-017
  • Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - RFA-OD-22-023
  • Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Required) - RFA-OD-22-024
  • Pathway to Independence Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) - RFA-OD-22-025
  • Pathway to Independence Award in Tobacco Regulatory Research (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Required) - RFA-OD-22-026
  • Public Health Communication Messaging about the Continuum of Risk for Tobacco Products (U01 Clinical Trial Required) - RFA-OD-23-021

Other NOFOs and Notices

  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Alternative Nicotine and Tobacco Delivery Systems: Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Mechanisms of Health Effects - Notice of Special Interest - NOT-OD-22-023
  • Public Policy Effects on Alcohol-, Cannabis-, Tobacco-, and Other Drug-Related Behaviors and Outcomes - Notice of Special Interest -NOT-AA-21-028 
  • Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Biospecimen Access (X01) - PAR-24-027
  • Pilot Health Services and Economic Research on the Treatment of Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use Disorders (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) - PA-21-180 (R34)
  • Accelerating the Pace of Drug Abuse Research Using Existing Data (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) - PAR-19-368
  • Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R01 Clinical Trial Required) - RFA-CA-22-043
  • Advancing Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Intervention Research (R34 Clinical Trial Optional) - RFA-CA-22-042

For a listing of the most up to date NOFOs, please visit NIH TRSP site.