Mark Greenwald, Ph.D., professor of the Wayne State University School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, has been appointed a member of the Biobehavioral Regulation, Learning and Ethology Study Section of the Center for Scientific Review of the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Greenwald, a resident of Canton, Mich., will serve as a member of the study section through June 30, 2019.

"I feel honored and privileged to be appointed as a permanent member of this committee," said Dr. Greenwald, who served twice as an ad hoc member of the study section, in 2009 and in 2012. "I'm excited for three reasons. First, I enjoyed my participation and felt able to contribute meaningfully to applications in my area of expertise. Second, having progressed in my career, and having had my own grants reviewed by this study section, I feel it's time to 'return the favor' of serving prominently as a reviewer for others. Third, now that we find ourselves in a more competitive environment for grant funding, it is advantageous to have an insider's look at the evolving review process, which may help our faculty and students gain leverage in their upcoming applications."

Dr. Greenwald, who also serves as director of the WSU Substance Abuse Research Division, has been a member of the WSU faculty since 1995. He was nominated for membership by the former head of the study section, who invited him to serve as a reviewer during last year's grant review.

Study sections review NIH  grant applications, make recommendations to the appropriate national advisory councils and survey the status of research in their respective fields. Members, said Richard Nakamura, Ph.D., director of the Center for Scientific Review, are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, scientific publications and other achievements and honors.

The Biobehavioral Regulation, Learning and Ethology Study Section reviews applications related to basic biobehavioral processes and adaptation across the lifespan. It primarily considers research with non-human animals but relevant work with humans also is included. Although the focus is on behavior, studies also may consider related neural, hormonal and genetic factors. Dr. Greenwald will be a scientific reviewer, with special expertise in neuropsychopharmacology, addiction (substance use disorders), behavioral economics, behavioral modification, stress and pharmacogenetics.

"Dr. Greenwald is an internationally recognized researcher in substance abuse, and during a period of dire fiscal challenges has increased his and his division's research funding significantly," said David Rosenberg, M.D., chair of the WSU Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences. "He is a true scholar, great teacher and mentor and a very good person. We are fortunate to have someone like Dr. Greenwald leading our efforts in this vital area and we are all very proud of him."

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