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Roger Little
Acting Director, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior at National Institute on Drug Abuse
Professional Background
Roger Little is an esteemed Senior Advisor at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). With over 15 years of extensive experience in government research, policy, and program development, Roger has firmly established himself as a pivotal figure in the realm of mental health and neuroscience. His role primarily involves advising senior leadership on science and policy topics that encompass a wide array of crucial areas, including human tissue research, psychiatric genetics, genomics, basic neuroscience, and translational research. As an expert in coordinating and leading projects that span across various NIH institutes and biomedical research disciplines, Roger has played an instrumental role in shaping policies that support groundbreaking research and foster collaboration within the scientific community.
In addition to his advisory role, Roger has been at the forefront of developing critical policies surrounding human tissue and data sharing, publication standards, and the operational framework of a national brain and tissue banking network—the NIH Neurobiobank. His leadership in these initiatives has significantly contributed to enhancing research capabilities and advancing scientific understanding in the mental health and neuroscience fields.
Education and Achievements
Roger Little began his academic journey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Vermont, equipping him with a strong foundation in biological sciences. He further pursued advanced studies, culminating in a Ph.D. at New York University, where he honed his expertise in critical areas related to neuroscience and mental health. The rigorous educational background has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of complex biological systems and the underlying mechanisms of mental health disorders.
Over the years, Roger has held various prestigious positions within the National Institutes of Health. His commitment to promoting mental health and scientific research is evident from his tenure as Acting Director of the Division of Neuroscience and Behavior at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), where he likely left a lasting impact on advancing drug abuse research. Moreover, as a former Deputy Director in the same division and a Senior Advisor at NIMH, he has been integral in guiding scientific initiatives and enhancing inter-agency collaborations.
His career also includes valuable contributions as a Health Science Administrator at NIMH and as a Staff Scientist at the CDC-NIOSH. With these experiences, Roger has built a well-rounded expertise that informs his current responsibilities and enriches the impact of his work in mental health policy and research.
Achievements
Among Roger’s many accomplishments, his leadership in developing a national framework for brain and tissue banking stands out as a notable achievement. The NIH Neurobiobank initiative is pivotal in advancing research into mental health, providing scientists with essential resources to study brain function and the genetic predispositions to mental disorders. This project not only fosters advancements in neuroscience but also reflects Roger’s commitment to improving mental health research infrastructure.
Furthermore, he has been instrumental in crafting policies on human tissue and data sharing, establishing guidelines that facilitate ethical research collaborations and promote transparency in scientific inquiry. His contributions to publication policies have also played a crucial role in ensuring that research findings are disseminated responsibly and effectively, supporting the broader scientific community in making informed decisions based on the latest evidence.
Roger's strategic coordination of projects across various biomedical research disciplines at NIH highlights his exceptional ability to unite diverse teams, aligning their objectives toward a common goal of advancing mental health research. His comprehensive approach, combining scientific rigor with policy development, has positioned him as a significant thought leader in the field of mental health and neuroscience.