Dr. Robert L. Balster: American Psychological Association (APA) Distinguished Service and Brady-Schuster Awards

Robert (Bob) Balster was selected for his extraordinary service to the psychological sciences. His service to psychology and psychopharmacology throughout his academic career has been broad and significant. Dr. Balster has held key leadership positions in professional psychological and psychopharmacological organizations, including the APA. He has served on numerous governmental advisory panels and grant review committees, and serves as editor and on editorial boards of several psychopharmacological journals. Dr. Balster has also served the field through his teaching and mentoring of students, many of whom have gone on to become national leaders in the field. These and other service activities to the psychological sciences, his kind demeanor, and his ability to listen to others have gained him the widespread respect and appreciation that he richly deserves by those in his field.

On August 17, 2007, at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco, CA Dr. Robert Balster received the Brady-Schuster Award from the APA Division of Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse. The Award honors a scientist who “conducts outstanding research underscoring the fundamental importance of behavioral science to psychopharmacology or substance abuse.” The Award is named for two of the early leaders in behavioral pharmacology research, Drs. Joseph V. Brady and Charles R. Schuster.

Dr. Balster is currently the Luther A. Butler Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Director of the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) at Virginia Commonwealth University. His research focuses on neurobehavioral pharmacology and substance abuse.