Why They HEAL

What she’s studying: Brandt is developing computational approaches to identify clinical trial endpoints that can reliably predict patients’ long-term outcomes, which could help quantify success for substance use disorders.

Why HEAL? For Brandt, the NIH HEAL Initiative is addressing an important public health issue at a fast pace. Targeting research to the areas of greatest need increases the likelihood of novel solutions that benefit all affected groups.

Outside the lab: To unwind from the stress of the research environment Brandt turns to nature, and particularly hiking. a highlight was a 5-month hike along the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018.

Watch Brandt’s talk (5 minutes)

What she’s studying: Freire studies non-opioid drugs that can improve breathing after an opioid overdose. Respiratory depression is the main cause of death associated with opioids and is common in people with obesity and sleep-disordered breathing. She and her colleagues found that a fat tissue-derived hormone called leptin can reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression and thus improve patients’ survival after an overdose.

Why HEAL? Freire says that the NIH HEAL Initiative provides both financial and technical support to improve research in an important area of research in need of more attention. It has also helped create a community of scientists with a common goal of ending the opioid epidemic and finding safer approaches to treating pain.

Outside the lab: Freire loves travelling and meeting people from around the world and learning about their diverse histories and cultures.

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What she’s studying: Goldstein and her colleagues have recently explored the best approaches for recruiting pregnant women with substance use disorders (and those who have just given birth) into long-term research studies – as well as how to keep them involved in such studies. Her team has identified several key factors including building relationships that foster trust and confidence between researchers and participants; understanding cultural norms, values, and language; and establishing a peer support network.

Why HEAL? Goldstein credits the NIH HEAL Initiative with enabling her and her colleagues to use a comprehensive array of strategies to investigate the best approaches to recruiting pregnant women with substance use disorders for research studies. Among these strategies are focus groups and in-depth interviews to listen to the voices of women with lived experience of substance use during pregnancy.

Outside the lab: Like many of her colleagues, Goldstein re-energizes by enjoying and exploring the beauty and expanse of the great outdoors.

Watch Goldstein’s talk (6 minutes)

What he’s studying: Kang’s HEAL research is part of the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) study. His team’s analyses of people with opioid use disorder incarcerated in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections determined that before expanding access to medications for opioid disorder in this setting, no Black individuals in this population had received it.

Why HEAL? Kang particularly appreciates access to the vast networks of resources, mentors, and colleagues that the NIH HEAL Initiative provides.

Outside the lab: Outside of his research, Kang enjoys spending time with his newly adopted dog and watching him learn new tricks.

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What she’s studying: Kleinman is currently evaluating peer-delivered behavioral interventions to improve treatment retention for people with opioid use disorder. Her research is studying how pervasive stigma associated with both substance use and methadone treatment affects people’s experience with, and adherence to, methadone treatment.

Why HEAL? Kleinman appreciates the NIH HEAL Initiative not only for its contribution to her own training, but also for bringing together diverse researchers who study substance use disorders and their treatment from many different angles, and for allowing people affected by these disorders to share their lived experiences with the HEAL community.

Outside the lab: Kleinman unwinds and rejuvenates on backpacking adventures with her husband and dog. She also derives great satisfaction by working at the community-based opioid treatment program where her HEAL-funded study takes place.

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What she’s studying: Mueller is studying how disturbances of the autonomic nervous system (which controls involuntary body functions), stress, and inflammation can cause pain to become chronic. She is exploring disparities in access to care during the COVID-19 pandemic in people with pain. She has determined that sociodemographic factors such as race/ethnicity, sex, and insurance affect patient preferences for virtual or in-person care. For example, she found that Black and Hispanic patients were more likely to have telephone visits compared to Whites and Asians; and women were more likely than men to connect virtually.

Why HEAL? For Mueller, one of the main benefits of the NIH HEAL Initiative, in addition to the support she receives for her own research, is its ability to expand participating researchers’ knowledge and experience beyond their own fields of research.

Outside the lab: Outside of her research and clinical work, Mueller enjoys the New York City culture – especially live music, when available. She also plays the cello.

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What she’s studying: Navia-Pelaez’s past research suggested that lipid metabolism may alter pain experiences, and she and her team are studying how cholesterol might affect development and treatment of a type of chronic pain called peripheral neuropathy that often occurs in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Navia-Pelaez and her colleagues are learning that changes in cholesterol metabolism in certain immune cells in the spinal cord (microglia) can induce or prevent chronic pain in an animal model.

Why HEAL? Navia-Pelaez sees hope as the main impact of the NIH HEAL Initiative on individuals and families. By validating the experiences of people with pain, like herself, HEAL is accelerating the development of new treatments for pain that are effective and safe.

Outside the lab: When she’s not in the lab, you might find Navia-Pelaez sharing life with loved ones, exercising, exploring nature, or enjoying the beauty of ceramics.

Watch Navia-Pelaez’s talk (6 minutes)

What he’s studying: Dr. Raleigh and his team are developing opioid vaccines against heroin and oxycodone, as an approach to treating opioid use disorders. These vaccines work by eliciting opioid-specific antibodies that circulate in the blood after vaccination. The antibodies attach themselves to the drug, preventing it from entering the brain, and subsequently reducing its reinforcing effects. 

Why HEAL? The NIH HEAL Initiative offered Raleigh and his colleagues the opportunity to test their oxycodone vaccine in people with oxycodone use disorder: the first step toward approval of a new drug. The team is also developing a vaccine targeting heroin.

Outside the lab: Raleigh enjoys the Minnesota outdoors with his wife, two young daughters, and their dog Blue.

Watch Raleigh’s talk (7 minutes)