University of Kentucky College of Medicine researcher Cassandra Gipson-Reichardt, Ph.D., has received the College on Problems of Drug Dependence’s (CPDD) 2021 Joseph Cochin Young Investigator Award for Excellence.

The annual award recognizes an investigator under 40 years old who has demonstrated excellence in their field of research and authored several publications. It is one of the most prestigious honors awarded by the CPDD, the longest standing group in the U.S. dedicated to addressing issues of drug dependence and abuse.

“I am so grateful to receive the Cochin award this year,” said Gipson-Reichardt, an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. “This award is meaningful to me because my colleagues, mentors, family and friends have contributed so much to my career. To be recognized in this way truly is wonderful and it is a reflection of the support I have received.”

Gipson-Reichardt is a preclinical addiction neuroscientist, focusing on glutamatergic, cholinergic, ovarian hormone and neuroimmune mechanisms involved in nicotine and opioid/stimulant polysubstance use. Her research has revealed new neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and has the potential to contribute to the development of treatments to improve drug use cessation outcomes.

"The Joseph Cochin Award is the highest honor CPDD bestows on an early career researcher,” said William Stoops, Ph.D., professor in UK’s College of Medicine and CPDD president-elect. “Dr. Gipson-Reichardt's receipt of the award this year highlights her numerous important research contributions to our understanding of the basic neuroscience underlying substance use disorders."

Gipson-Reichardt will be honored at the CPDD 83rd Annual Scientific Virtual Meeting June 21-24. For more information visit https://cpdd.org/meetings/current-meeting/ or https://cpdd.org/gipson-reichardt-named-cochin-award-winner/.