Psychiatry Department professor Helen Pettinati received the Researcher of the Year award from Caron, an organization that manages treatment of people with drug addictions, last Friday.
Pettinati received the award at Caron's regional ceremony, which recognized researchers and community leaders for contributions to the treatment of addictions.
Professor Kyle Kampman and senior research investigator William Dundon, both of who work with Pettinati in the Psychiatry Department's Treatment Research Division, nominated her for the award.
Pettinati received the honor because of her work in psychopharmacology, which focuses on how drugs affect a person's behavior, said Jim McManus, regional vice president of Caron.
"She's a nationally recognized researcher in this field," he said. "She's done research on how to treat people who have a drug addiction as well as another mental health disorder, like ADHD or severe depression."
Along with Pettinati, Dennis O'Brien, speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, also received an award during the ceremony for legislative advocacy for mental health issues.
Caron, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, treats around 2,000 patients annually for drug addictions in facilities in Florida and Wernersville, Pa.
- Ashwin Shandilya
