By Gail Hairston

(Aug. 7, 2015) — Michael Bardo, University of Kentucky professor of psychology and director of the UK Center for Drug Abuse Research Translation (CDART), will serve as a member of the Pathophysiological Basis of Mental Disorders and Addictions Study Section of the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) through June 2017. CSR is the National Institutes of Health’s peer review system to identify the most promising research for treating, curing and preventing disease. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors.

"The center also seeks out mature judgment and objectivity as well as the ability to work effectively in a group, qualities we believe Dr. Bardo will bring to this important task," said Richard Nakamura, director of the Center for Scientific Review.

Bardo was recently awarded the 2015 Southeastern Conference Faculty Award, recognizing his accomplishments and excellence in teaching, research and scholarship.

With the rare opportunity to contribute at the national biomedical research level, Bardo will study sections and review grant applications submitted to the NIH, make recommendations on these applications to the appropriate NIH national advisory council or board, and survey the status of research in their fields of science.

"The college and the university are exceedingly proud that Dr. Bardo’s stature as a scientist and scholar has been recognized at the highest national level," said Mark Kornbluh, dean of the UK College of Arts and Sciences.