Richard Allen Member-at-Large Statement

It is an honor to be considered for a Member-At-Large position in Div. 28. Though I have been a member of the division for many years, my service began in 2012 when I was selected by Dr. Ellen Walker to serve as program chair for the 2014 Annual Convention. It has been a pleasure to work with her and the members of the executive committee, and I would look forward to continuing that service as member-at-large. Currently, I am an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Colorado Denver, and I serve as Interim Associate Dean for Research and Creative Activities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I view service as an opportunity rather than an obligation, and I work to effect positive change in these roles. My psychopharmacology research program focuses on factors that contribute to the acquisition, maintenance, and escalation of cocaine self-administration, including behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms. I have been the fortunate recipient of and an advocate for transformative student mentorship, a process I hope I continue with my student researcher collaborators and in my role as contact-PI and Program Director for the UC Denver MARC U-STAR Scholars Program, a T34 undergraduate student training grant funded through the NIGMS. As member-at-large I would work collaboratively with other members of the executive committee to advocate for the needs of the division, to support strong mentorship programs, and to help grow membership in this important division. Thank you for considering my nomination for member-at-large.