In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, NIDA has awarded the Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Drug Use and Addiction Research Fellowship to 11 outstanding international researchers. Through a combination of academic courses and close collaboration with a NIDA grantee, HHH Fellows gain knowledge and experience in NIDA-funded drug-use and addiction research and in the application of research to develop science-based government policy, prevention, and treatment programs. The 2024-2025 HHH Fellows are presented below:
Francisco Adriazola (Chile) holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Concepción and a master’s degree in political sociology and international cooperation from the Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. He is currently the coordinator of international affairs for the Chilean Ministry of Health and has extensive experience in public organizations and NGOs, nationally and internationally. Additionally, he has conducted educational projects in Africa, Asia, and South America. During his fellowship, Mr. Adriazola will seek to expand his knowledge and skills in health promotion with a focus on physical activity.
Grace Aliyu (Nigeria) has her bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria, and is enrolled in a master’s program in international public health at Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom. Mrs. Aliyu has 15 years of professional experience working in the Nigerian health system as a pharmacist. In her current role as the executive director of Crystalclear Living Stream Foundation, she works toward the goal of creating a drug-free world using the twin forces of creativity and productivity. During her fellowship, Mrs. Aliyu plans to learn more about implementing evidence-based prevention programs and integrating the arts into prevention efforts. Upon her return to Nigeria, she plans to establish a vocational training center that serves vulnerable youth and families in Kwara State.
Ameera Ba-Fadhel (Yemen) received her bachelor’s degree in medicine from Hadhramout University College of Medicine and her master’s degree in implementation science from the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR University) in Jaipur, India. Dr. Ba-Fadhel brings experience as the monitoring and evaluation officer for the World Health Organization in Hadhramout and, in 2024, became a sexual and reproductive health national consultant at UNFPA Yemen. Her research focuses on community engagement in health design and implementation. During her fellowship, Dr. Ba-Fadhel plans to gain experience in substance rehabilitation, learn about best practices in drug abuse policy, understand how to improve the quality of care in addiction services, and transfer this knowledge to Yemen. She is committed to encouraging community-based prevention in her society and aims to work closely with policymakers in her country to establish a government drug rehabilitation center.
Sanjayduth Bhundhoo (Mauritius) holds a bachelor’s degree in social work, a postgraduate diploma in NGO management, and master’s degrees in public policy and administration and communication and public relations. He presently is pursuing his doctorate at the University of Technology, Mauritius. Mr. Bhundhoo has over 16 years of experience participating in research initiatives, outreach programs, and educational projects focusing on social welfare sustainability and substance misuse at both the local and international levels. In the future, he plans to establish a rehabilitation care center for addiction services and contribute to policy related to addiction. During his fellowship, Mr. Bhundhoo aims to further his knowledge and experience in community-based prevention and treatment related to substance misuse and addiction.
Tenzing Choden (Bhutan) holds an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Delhi and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Christ University, Bengaluru, in Karnataka, India. Ms. Choden has a background in teaching and curriculum development and has also conducted research exploring family dynamics and substance use among emerging adults in Bhutan. In her current role as a counseling psychologist at Royal Thimphu College, Ms. Choden facilitates group therapy, mental health awareness programs, and individual counseling sessions for local and international students and staff. During her fellowship, Ms. Choden aims to learn about recent developments in addiction science, seek training opportunities in addiction-focused interventions, and closely work with agencies that engage in mental health counseling and education, suicide prevention, and substance use prevention and treatment.
Uria Gan (Israel) holds a bachelor’s degree and a teaching certificate from Herzog College, as well as master’s degrees in Jewish philosophy and education from Ben-Gurion University. Mr. Gan brings over two decades of experience in addiction treatment and the management of therapeutic-educational systems. Currently, he is the CEO of Neve Malkishua Association, Israel’s largest organization dedicated to the recovery, treatment, education, and rehabilitation of individuals with addictions. Mr. Gan seeks to enhance addiction treatment, improve patient outcomes, and deepen our understanding of addiction dynamics for the benefit of Israeli society and people worldwide. During his fellowship, Mr. Gan plans to focus on research in data-driven treatment methods as well as personalized treatment strategies.
Orion Jucja (Albania) received his master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Medicine in Tirana and holds two additional master’s degrees from the University of Camerino in Italy, specializing in dermatologic products. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical and pharmaceutical sciences and biotechnology. Mr. Jucja has experience in regulatory, pharmacoeconomic, and scientific roles in the pharmaceutical industry and has led public health initiatives with the World Health Organization, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, and other agencies. During his fellowship, Mr. Jucja plans to focus on developing skills to enhance the quality and accessibility of medicines, improve support for cancer patients, and advocate for pharmacy regulatory reforms.
Hari Nugroho (Indonesia) earned a bachelor’s degree in medicine from the University of Trisakti, Jakarta, in 2010, and a master’s degree in addiction studies from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London in 2018. He has served as a program officer for the National Narcotic Board of Indonesia and a lecturer at the University of Trisakti. Dr. Nugroho’s goals for the Humphrey Fellowship include an in-depth exploration of new psychoactive substances; adolescent drug use, prevention, and treatment methodologies; trauma-informed care; and digital interventions for substance abuse. Through fellowship, he seeks to acquire cutting-edge knowledge and skills that will enable him to further contribute to the field of substance abuse, particularly in the Indonesian context.
Fernando Sarmento (Timor-Leste) received his diploma in pharmacy from the National Institute of Health in Dili, Timor-Leste, and received a scholarship to obtain a bachelor of nursing science degree from Assumption University of Thailand. Mr. Sarmento has worked as a pharmacy coordinator in the Ministry of Health of Baucau and served as the president of the pharmacy association in the same municipality. He worked as a health manager program and municipality officer and as a leadership program officer at St. John of God International Health. In these roles, Mr. Sarmento has worked with various development agencies such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. Agency for International Development. During his fellowship, he plans to learn more about leadership and management skills.
Ayesha Tariq (Pakistan) holds a B.Sc. in psychology from the University of Buckingham (UK), an M.Sc. in applied child psychology from Nottingham Trent University (UK), and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology. In her current role as an associate clinical psychologist at Shifa International Hospital, Ms. Tariq helped establish child and adolescent health services, launched a school mental health program with her team, and was the project lead for SIH’s first psychology internship program. Her community projects, workshops, and publications focus on neurodevelopmental disorders, stress management, and leadership skills. During her fellowship, Ms. Tariq aims to gain experience in recent evidence-based advances in substance misuse prevention programs for children to strengthen mental health support across schools in Pakistan.
Niranji Wijewardhana (Sri Lanka) holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in criminology and criminal justice as well as a postgraduate diploma in psychological counseling. Prof. Niranji, who teaches at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is the first and only woman professor of criminology and criminal justice in Sri Lanka. She brings 17 years of experience in teaching, research, curriculum design, rehabilitation programs, and policy development. Prof. Niranji actively engages in professional bodies, influencing policy and practice and raising public awareness through various media. During her fellowship, Prof. Niranji aims to enhance her skills in translating research into policy and writing training manuals on substance abuse prevention, toward the ultimate goal of promoting social well-being in Sri Lanka.