What We Do:
The Office provides leadership for the vigorous pursuit of excellence in research translation and utilization of innovative programs to speed the application of research discoveries in the prevention, detection, and treatment of drug abuse and addiction. OTIPI specifically aims at taking research discoveries into candidate health applications.
The Office has five major strategic objectives:
- Coordination, management and evaluation of NIDA Small Business Innovation Research /Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs.
- Coordination, management and evaluation of the utilization of novel funding authorities (Prizes and Open Competitions) by NIDA and development of pioneering funding opportunities.
- Coordination and governance of NIDA participation in NIH Initiative to Enhance Reproducibility and Transparency of Research Findings.
- Establishing the Strategic Alliances and Partnerships in areas of product development, entrepreneurship and innovation, including inter-agency (DHHS, NIH, CDC, FDA, NAS).
- Internal and external education events and programs in translational research, complementary to existing career development programs.
To achieve these objectives, OTIPI
- Proactively identifies opportunities for translation and product development;
- Recognizes and leverages existing efforts, capitalizes on synergies, enhances communication and coordination between existing programs with specific goal of enhancing NIDA’s translational efforts, develops and coordinates strategic initiatives and funding opportunities.
- Facilitates programmatic integration across NIDA, other NIH ICs, government, and private organizations to effectively exploit the results of NIDA-sponsored research discoveries;
- Creatively facilitates knowledge exchange opportunities for NIDA researchers and end-users of research to discuss the issues of research applicability, relevance, and utility to inform future research needs and opportunities through knowledge networks and other strategies;
- Establishes knowledge networks, internal and external education programs in translation and entrepreneurship, conferences, and symposia, provides opportunities for multidirectional communication and collaboration among NIDA Divisions, extra- and intramural researchers, patients, and the general public.
- Conducts data analysis to inform program planning and its iterative improvements, evaluates the impact of previous NOFO/RFA/RFP activities on SBIR/STTR programs and translational research;
- Specifically uses SBIR/STTR mechanisms, prize authority, innovative funding opportunities and strategic alliances to advance NIDA mission.
Who We Are:
| Name | Areas of responsibility | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Elena Koustova, Ph.D., MBA | Director, NIDA/OTIPI; NIDA Principal Small Business Program Manager (SBPM), NIDA Challenge Manager; NIH Reproducibility Initiative; NIDA Start a Startup Challenge Lead and Mentor; Trans-NIH Translational Programs | (301) 496-8768 |
| Leonardo Angelone, Ph.D. | Medical Devices; Program Lead, NIH Blueprint Medtech Program; Mentor, NIDA Start an SUD startup Challenge; Program Officer, Small Business Innovation Research /Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program | (301) 827-5946 |
| Morris Flood, DHSc | Small Business Innovation Research /Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs; Research Tools, Consumer/Wellness Products, and Education/Training; HHS priorities project compliance | (301) 496-6144 |
| Saravanan Karuppagounder, Ph.D. | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs; Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN) for Small Molecules; Therapeutics and Biomarker Development and Validation | (301) 480-9471 |
| Yordan Kostov, Ph.D. | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs; In vitro diagnostics; Non-invasive diagnostic devices; Blueprint MedTech: FDA-regulated Medical Devices | (301) 435-5650 |
| Sara Lioi, Ph.D. | Translational Initiatives in Drug Discovery; Challenges and Prize Competitions | (301) 827-5829 |
| Jess Lukacs, M.D., MBA | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs; Business Development | (301) 435-5916 |
| Tam Nguyen, Ph.D. | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs; Mentor, NIDA Start an SUD startup Challenge; Pharmacotherapeutic Development; Blueprint Neurotherapeutics; Educational Programs in Translational Research | (301) 451-1203 |
| Boris Sabirzhanov, Ph.D. | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Programs; Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative | (301) 443-4577 |
Contact Information:
Ernestine Lenteu
NIDASBIR@mail.nih.gov
Program Specialist, Office of Translational Initiatives and Program Innovations (OTIPI)
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Office: Building 31 Room 1B59
Phone: 301-827-5547
Email: lenteue@mail.nih.gov
Mailing Address:
Office of Translational Initiatives and Program Innovations (OTIPI)
National Institute on Drug Abuse
31 Center Drive
Bethesda MD 20892-2080