Nathan Ainspan, PhD, of the Department of Defense (DOD), and Kristen Huntley, PhD, of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, are recipients of the Meritorious Research Service Commendations for 2020 by the American Psychological Association’s Board of Scientific Affairs.
The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to psychological science through their service as employees of government bodies (federal, state, or local) or other organizations.
Nathan D. Ainspan
Department of Defense
Ainspan is senior research psychologist in DOD’s Military-Civilian Transition Office in the Defense Personnel Family Support Center. He is recognized for his leadership in advancing psychological science through the development and implementation of transition programs and policies for veterans’ services at DOD. These programs and policies have helped to improve the functioning of military members, veterans, and their families as they shift to civilian life. Ainspan received his doctorate from Cornell University in 1999 and joined the DOD in 2008.
Kristen V. Huntley
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Huntley is health scientist administrator/scientific officer in the Center for the Clinical Trials Network at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). She is recognized for her leadership in developing and expanding the Clinical Trials Network (CTN) grant portfolio. Huntley has played a key role in NIDA’s collaborations with CTN grantees and her success in expanding CTN research in hospital emergency departments advances the goal of translating research into patient care. Huntley received her doctorate from Texas A&M University in 1993 and has worked at NIDA since 2007.
Psychologists at federal or non-federal research funding, regulatory, or other agencies play a crucial role in the advancement of the discipline, through developing and managing programs that fund psychological science and its applications, identifying new research opportunities and directions, supporting the training and career development of junior scientists, formulating research policies, and promoting psychological research within their organizations. The Meritorious Research Service Commendations are a mechanism for honoring psychologists for their efforts and achievements in these areas.
Nominations for the 2021 awards are being accepted until March 10, 2021. For additional information, see the Meritorious Research Service Commendations website or contact Suzanne Wandersman.