BCAR Symposium 2025 Agenda and Poster List | Bridging Connections in Addiction Research

Agenda:

10:30am - 11:00am	Registration	Located in Ballroom B
11:00am - 11:15am	Opening Remarks	Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH, FACP
11:15am - 12:15pm	The HEALing Communities Study: An Ambitious Undertaking to Reduce Opioid Overdose Deaths	Sharon Walsh, PhD, Professor, Behavioral Science, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Psychiatry in the University of Kentucky Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, and Director of the UK Center on Drug and Alcohol Research
12:15pm - 1:00pm	Networking Lunch & Table Discussion	Sponsored by UPMC Health Plan and the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health
1:00pm - 2:00pm	Updates on BCAR Pilot Studies Presentation 1: The effect of ∆9-THC and its interaction with stress on working memory performance Presentation 2: Cross-generational Effects of Alcohol Use: Results of a Murine Animal Model Project with Implications for Transmission in Humans. Sean Farris, Gregg Homanics, Shirley Hill. Presentation 3: Chronic pain and alcohol use disorder: an insidious, sex-dependent intersection of two crises	Speakers: Presentation 1: Teneisha Myers, Graduate Student, Center for Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Presentation 2: Sean Farris, PhD, Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, and Biomedical Informatics Presentation 3: Bradley K. Taylor, PhD, Professor, Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine
2:00pm - 3:30pm	Poster Sessions 2:00pm – 2:45pm (Odd numbers) 2:45pm – 3:30pm (Even numbers)	Located in Ballroom A. Posters will be presented in two groups. Poster Walk-throughs: 2:00pm – Clinical Science 2:30pm – Basic Science 2:40pm – Population Science
3:30pm - 3:45pm	Center for Addiction and Recovery Research and Practice	Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH, FACP
3:45pm - 4:30pm	Community Collaboration	Lauren Narbey, PhD, CNM, Cambria King, CRS, and George Jones, LPC, CADC Chanelle Coleman, Deaja Vire, and Mario Browne, MPH, CHES, CDP
4:30pm - 4:45pm	Closing Remarks	Brooke Molina, PhD

Poster List (by title)

A Longitudinal Analysis of Xylazine-related Stigma in Media: Mariska Goswami (Center for Research on Healthcare, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Samia Ismail, BS, MPH (School of Public Health, Boston University), Margaret Shang, MD, MS (Center for Research on Healthcare, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Gary McMurtrie, BA (Center for Research on Healthcare, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Stephen Murray, MPH, NRP (Boston Medical Center), Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH, FACP (Center for Research on Healthcare, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Jason Colditz, PhD, MEd (Center for Research on Healthcare, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Raagini Jawa, MD, MPH, FASAM (Center for Research on Healthcare, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh)
Alcohol-cancer risk communication on social media: a content analysis of alcohol-related Instagram and TikTok posts: Joseph Alejandro, MSPPM (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh), Christina F. Mair, PhD, MPH (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh), Jaime E. Sidani, PhD, MPH, CHES (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh)
Anhedonia, Neural Reward Function, and Substance Use in Adolescents at Risk for Severe Mental Illness: Tina Gupta, PhD (Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Brooke S. G. Molina, PhD (Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Erika E. Forbes (Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh)
Applying Machine Learning-Based Risk Prediction Models in Primary Care to Prevent Overdose: Courtney Kuza, PhD, MPH (Center for Pharmaceutical Policy & Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh), Stephanie Fedro-Byrom, MPH (Center for Pharmaceutical Policy & Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh), Walid Gellad, MD, MPH (Center for Pharmaceutical Policy & Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh) Jenny Lo-Ciganic, PhD, MS, MSPharm (Center for Pharmaceutical Policy & Prescribing, University of Pittsburgh)
Assessing Music Therapy Representation in Online Resources for Alcohol Use Disorder: Emily Thomas, BSPH (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh), Ektha Parchuri, MPH (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Chloe Hudson, BS (Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh), Jason, Colditz, PhD, MEd (Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh)
Baseline Characteristics of Pennsylvania OTPs: Foundations for MBC Implementation in the HEALing Measurement Center Study: Renee Cloutier, PhD, Julie Brewer, MSW, MPH, Bobby Ryan, LPC, NCC, Danielle Hamilton, Arnie Aldridge, K Scott
Characterizing barriers to substance use treatment: A latent class analysis using the 2020-2021 NSDUH Surveys: Karlyn Edwards, PhD, Bryant Shuey, MD, Lakeya S. McGill, PhD, Jessica S. Merlin, MD, PhD, MBA, Jane Liebschutz, MD
Chronic Alcohol exposure induces a long-lasting latent pain state that is kept in remission by opioid receptors: Adam Brandner (Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Sean P. Farris, PhD (Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Pittsburgh Project to end Opioid Misuse, and Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh), Bradley K. Taylor, PhD (Center for Neuroscience, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh)
Clinician reported barriers and facilitators of a pain-self management intervention for individuals with co-occurring chronic pain and opioid use disorder/opioid misuse in primary care: Melessa N. Salay, MPH (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Edna J. Evington, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Jessica S. Merlin, MD, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Erin L. Winstanley, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Megan E. Hamm, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh)
Cumulative Effects of Chronic and Acute Stress and Discrimination on Momentary Alcohol Craving across Black and White Young Adult: Krithika Prakash, PhD (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Emmanuel Thomas, MA (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Traci Kennedy, PhD (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Sarah L. Pedersen, PhD (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh)
Day-to-day relationships between alcohol drinking and actigraphic sleep parameters among young adults who report heavy episodic drinking: Nicholas A. Harris, MD, PhD (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC), Medha Kotti (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC), Nina Oryshkewych, MS (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC), Daniel Buysse, MD (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC), Sarah L. Pedersen PhD (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC), Meredith L. Wallace PhD (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC), Brant P. Hasler PhD (Western Psychiatric Hospital, UPMC)
Differences in Binge Drinking Among Female and Male Young Adults in 2021-2023 and 2017-2019: Bryant Shuey, MD, MPH; Katie Suda, PharmD, MS; Alyssa Burnett, MPH; Hefei Wen, PhD; Timothy Anderson, MD, MAS; James Franklin Wharam, MD, MPH; Jane Liebschutz, MD, MPH
Dorsal striatal dopamine and glutamate release dynamics as a common mechanism for cognitive inflexibility and punishment resistance: David Bortz, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Mary Torregrossa, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh)
Examining Treatment Engagement and Retention in Care at a Low-Barrier Mobile MOUD Clinic: Vivian Kalu, MD (Medicine Institute, AHN), Aaron Arnold, MPH (Prevention Point Pittsburgh), Elizabeth Cuevas, MD (Medicine Institute, AHN), Leanna Bird, MPPM, MA (Medicine Institute, AHN), Divya Venkat, MD (Medicine Institute, AHN)
Exploring Community Members’ Perceptions of Resiliencies to Housing Eviction and Alcohol-related Harms: Michelle Dougherty, MPH (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh), Sara Baumann, PhD, MPH (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh), Christina Mair, PhD, MPH (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh)
Exploring the Intersection of Maternal Substance Use, Parenting, and Childhood Adversity: Brittany T. Smith, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Danielle M. Davidov, PhD (School of Public Health, West Virginia University), Meghan Gannon, PhD (School of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University), Caroline P. Groth, PhD (School of Public Health, West Virginia University), Alfgeir L. Kristjansson, PhD (School of Public Health, West Virginia University)
Longitudinal Analysis of Alcohol Consumption Patterns Among Undergraduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Emmaline LaRocque, BS (School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh), Natacha De Genna, PhD (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Megana Dwarakanath, MD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Charles Gutherie, MSN, NEA-BC, CPN (Division of Student Affairs, University of Pittsburgh), Megan Stahl, MA (Division of Student Affairs, University of Pittsburgh)
Maternal, Paternal, and Biparental Preconception Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure Impact the Offspring Blood and Brain Transcriptome in Male and Female C57BL/6J Mice: Rachel C. Rice, BS (Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh), Richa R. Rathod, PhD (Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Carolyn Ferguson, BS (Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Daniela V. Gil, BS (Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh), Remy R. Frawley (Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Shirley Y. Hill, PhD (Department of Psychiatry; Department of Psychology; Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh), Gregg E. Homanics, PhD (Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine; Department of Neurobiology; Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh), Sean P. Farris, PhD (Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine; Department of Biomedical Informatics; Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh)
Maturation of reward-related brain processes support increases in habitual behavior through adolescence: Daniel Petrie, PhD, Finnegan J. Calabro, PhD, Ashley Parr, PhD, Will Foran, MS, Beatriz Luna, PhD
“Nicotine isn't harmful ya dunce”: Qualitative analysis of misinformation found in YouTube comments posted in reference to Netflix’s “Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of JUUL”: Beth Hoffman, PhD, MPH, Arpita Tripathi, MA, Julia (Pengyue) Dou, MPH, Piper Narendorf, Nishi Hundi, Jaime E. Sidani, PhD, MPH, CHES (Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health)
Optogenetic stimulation or inhibition of dopamine neurons alters behavior and event encoding in the nucleus accumbens during Pavlovian conditioning: Ethan Herring, Kira Lear, Elin McLaughlin, Sandford Zeng, Tulasi Syamala, Eesha Patel, Paul Kupelian, Sara E. Morrison (Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh)
Oxycodone dependence alters Mu and Delta opioid receptor regulation of prefrontal cortex inhibitory transmission in a cell type-specific manner: Rebecca H. Cole, Vaishnaci Sankaran, Gregory Corder, Max E. Joffe, PhD
Prenatal Sleep and Marijuana Use in Young Pregnant People: Dahlia Lehman, BA (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Natacha M. De Genna, PhD (Departments of Psychiatry and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh), Marquis Hawkins, PhD (Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh), Alison Sanfacon, MEd (UPMC)
Qualitative study of perinatal cannabis use in younger patients: Shinnyi Chou, MD, PhD (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Alison Sanfacon, MEd (Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh), Dahlia Lehman, BA (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Judy Chang, MD, MPH (Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Natacha De Genna, Ph.D. (Department of Psychiatry, Epidemiology, Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh)
Sex differences in mGlu1 and mGlu5 receptor regulation of endocannabinoid signaling at prefrontal cortex parvalbumin interneurons: Carly B. Fabian, Max E. Joffe, PhD
Sex differences in the Protein Kinase A Signaling of Chronic Postsurgical Pain Sensitization is Mediated by Androgen Receptors: Aleksander Bearden (Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine), Paramita Basu, PhD (Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine), Bradley Taylor, PhD (Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine)
“the power of the pouch”: Analyzing the discourse around zyn nicotine pouches on instagram and tiktok: Arpita Tripathi, Beth Hoffman, Christine Larkin, Chaim Kittredge, Piper Narendorf, Nishi Hundi, Chiayun Cheng, Britney Manu, Nathaniel Osawaru Ehiorobo, Jaime E. Sidani
VGLUT2 knockdown in the VTA reduces acquisition of alcohol self-administration in a sex-specific manner: Camryn Forbes, Michael Steinfeld, PhD, Mary Torregrossa, PhD
VIP as an Emerging Neuropeptide Modulator in the Prefrontal Cortex: Implications for Alcohol Use Disorder: Dakota Brockway, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh), Max Joffe, PhD (School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh)
What Fueled the Illicit Opioid Epidemic? New Evidence from a Takeover of White Powder Heroin Markets: Travis Donahoe, PhD (School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh), Adam Soliman, PhD (College of Business, Department of Economics, Clemson University)