DIVISION SPOTLIGHT

Div. 2 (Society for the Teaching of Psychology)

Div. 2 seeks nominations for its 1999 awards for outstanding teachers of psychology. The division awards $500 and a plaque to teachers in four areas:

? Four-year colleges or universities (Robert S. Daniel Award).

? Two-year colleges.

? High schools (Moffett Memorial Teaching Award).

? Graduate student (McKeachie Early Career Teaching Award).

The awards committee will judge each nomination based on one or more of the following criteria:

? Evidence that the nominee encouraged student interest in the study of psychology (i.e., projects completed by students, papers presented by students at professional meetings and published manuscripts based on research conducted by student and teacher).

? Documentation that the nominee employs effective teaching methods, which may include course syllabi and materials, and details proving their successful application.

? Proof of the teachers? outstanding performance in the classroom from student evaluations, colleague observations, enrollment figures, teaching awards and other forms of recognition.

? Other professional activities that may include publishing articles on teaching, encouraging student research or attending meetings or workshops pertinent to the teaching of psychology.

The awards committee also requests a cover sheet with the nominee?s and nominator?s contact information, a curriculum vitae emphasizing the nominee?s educational background, work history and membership in professional organizations, three to five letters of recommendation discussing the nominee?s contributions, and a double-spaced, two-page essay detailing the nominee?s accomplishments in the teaching of psychology.

All nomination materials must be received by Jan. 4. For more information, contact: Mary Kite, PhD, Chair, Div. 2 Teaching Awards Committee, Department of Psychological Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, (765) 747-6058.

Div. 28 (Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse)

Div. 28 presented Thomas Eissenberg, PhD, the 1998 Wyeth-Ayerst Young Psychopharmacologist Award at APA?s Annual Convention in San Francisco on Aug. 14. The Wyeth-Ayerst Award consists of a $500 cash award, an engraved plaque and travel funds to attend and give a presentation at the convention. Each year, the Wyeth-Ayerst Award honors a young scientist performing original, meritorious work in psychopharmacology.

Eissenberg?s address, 'Levo-alpha-acetylmethadol (LAAM) and methadone: relative potency and acute physical dependence in humans,' focused on a laboratory comparison of two pharmacotherapies for heroin addiction at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). LAAM can suppress withdrawal symptoms and reduce the euphoric highs of heroin for up to 72 hours.

Results from Eissenberg?s study showed:

? LAAM is just as potent as methadone, a finding that contradicts current product labeling.

? Receiving a single dose of LAAM or methadone treatment can produce 'acute physical dependence.'

Eissenberg is an assistant professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he also serves on the faculty of the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies. He earned his PhD in 1994 in experimental psychology from McMaster University, where he studied with Shepard Siegel, PhD, and Lorraine Allan, PhD. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship in 1996 at JHU.

?Compiled by Mel Waters