The Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee (AC) guides Center strategy toward effectiveness and sustainability. These expert researchers in drug use research, HIV/HCV infection, neuro-imaging/neurology, and the behavioral health provide independent advice regarding overall Center performance. Members of the AC meet with RDAR members twice per year to provide constructive evaluations of the Center. The AC also plays an important role in the selection of new Project Leaders as openings become available.

Meet the Committee

Avatar for Stephen Higgins
Stephen Higgins
Chair

Higgins is the Director of Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, and the Behavioral Pharmacology of Drug Dependence Training Program. Higgins is also Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont.

Avatar for Jennifer Havens
Jennifer Havens
Member

Dr. Havens is a Professor and epidemiologist at the University of Kentucky with an appointment in the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research.

Avatar for Rajita Sinha
Rajita Sinha
Member

Sinha, Ph.D., is the Foundations Fund Professor of Neurobiology and Child Study at the Yale School of Medicine.

Avatar for Eric Donny
Eric Donny
Member

Donny is a Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology at Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Avatar for Sarah J. Gervais
Sarah J. Gervais
Member

Dr. Gervais (she/her/hers) has a dual PhD in Psychology and Women's Studies from The Pennsylvania State University and currently serves as the Associate Chair in the Department of Psychology at UNL. 

Avatar for Nathan Meier
Nathan Meier
Member

Nathan Meier is the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Capacity and Competitiveness at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.