Opioids Innovation Networking Session

Wednesday, August 15, 2018
4010 College of Health and Human Services
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Variety of pills

The opioid crisis is a rising public health concern with destructive societal consequences. Approximately 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. Opioid overdoses increased by 30 percent from July 2016 to Sept. 2017 in 52 areas in 45 states. The Midwestern region saw opioid overdoses increase 70 percent from July 2016 to Sept. 2017. The increase in injection drug use has also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases.  

Interdisciplinary research, spanning various academic fields will play an important role in addressing problems surrounding the opioid crisis

Who should attend: 

All WMU and WMed faculty or staff researchers from any discipline interested in learning more about ongoing research in the area of opioids.

Why attend: 

  • Network with faculty engaged in research in the area of opioids
  • Learn about funding opportunities
  • Meet potential collaborators  

Schedule

8:30 to 9:15 a.m.Registration and Breakfast
9:15 to 9:30 a.m.Opening remarks 
Teri Goss Kinzy, Vice President for Research
Ron Cisler, Dean College of Health and Human Services
Greg Rosine, Vice President for Government Affairs 
Sherine Obare, Associate Vice President for Research
9:30 to 10:00 a.m.Current state of Opioids
Rob Lyerla, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
10:00 to 11:45 a.m.Faculty presentations
Lisa Graves, WMed, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Prentiss Jones, WMed, Associate Professor
Massood Atashbar, WMU, Professor
     Research and Development of Flexible Hybrid Electronics Based Devices at WMU
Lisa Baker, WMU, Professor
     Preclinical Behavioral Pharmacology Methods for Screening Drug Abuse Liability 
Joe Kuchenbuch, WMU, Director of Behavioral Health Services
     Overview of Behavioral Health Services at WMU
Steve Magura, WMU, Director of the Evaluation Center
11:45 a.m. to noonIntermission
noon to 1:30 p.m.Networking lunch and introduction to funding opportunities 

 Register no later than August 8, 2018.

Register

Interested in learning more about the event, or to be an event speaker and share your research, please contact  Kay Mortellaro.