Yih-Ing Hser, Ph.D.
Integrated Substance Abuse Programs
Center for Advancing Longitudinal Drug Abuse Research
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Los Angeles, California, United States
and
Min Zhao, M.D., Ph.D.
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Shanghai, China
Since 2008, Yih-Ing Hser and Min Zhao have conducted NIDA-funded studies of methadone maintenance treatment in China, contributing to the evidence base for that country's adoption of this proven treatment for opioid dependence. Separately and together, they have contributed to clinical, research, and teaching advances in pharmacological and psychosocial treatments for drug abuse and drug-related HIV and hepatitis risk behaviors. Dr. Hser was instrumental in organizing the International Conference on Global Health: Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders and HIV, building a network between UCLA, Taiwanese governmental and educational institutions, and NIDA. A former NIDA INVEST Fellow and NIDA Distinguished International Scientist, Dr. Zhao has built institutional partnerships with other U.S. universities and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, helping researchers at the Shanghai Mental Health Center earn six additional NIDA International Program fellowships and National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants in their own names. Building on Dr. Hser's expertise in NIH research methods, research design, and advanced statistical techniques applied to substance abuse data, and Dr. Zhao's expertise in basic science, genetic research, and brain function studies, they both are truly excellent role models for international collaboration on evidence-based drug treatment research.