Startups
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a United States federal biomedical research institute within the National Institutes of Health, a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1974, it advances science on drug use and addiction and applies that knowledge to improve individual and public health. It supports basic and clinical neuroscience, behavioural research, epidemiology, prevention, addiction treatment, brain-development studies, and translation of therapeutics, devices and digital health applications. Nora D. Volkow is the current director and Wilson M. Compton the deputy director according to the official leadership directory and 2026 council material. The institute publishes directorate staff, research programme and division contacts, and a National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse with external advisers. Roles distinguish federal staff, programme contacts and external council members. The Office of Translational Initiatives and Program Innovations coordinates small-business research programmes, including SBIR/STTR mechanisms relevant to AI, biotechnology and neurotechnology. The May 2026 council minutes report an approximately USD 1.66 billion FY2026 operating budget. This is a government institutional budget, not a venture fund close, assets under management or a specific company investment. Proposed reorganizations in presidential budget requests are not treated as completed legal renames: NIDA remains the actual administering and funding institute identified by NIH RePORTER for Tamade LLC/Flowly R44DA049630 and Doro Mind R43DA064245. Recipient grant awards, fiscal years, notice dates and project periods are separately verified by the issuer-profile owners. Grant funding is non-dilutive research support, not automatically priced equity; parent NIH and NIDA are not counted as two independent checks for the same award.
Founded 1974
Team
Aminul IslamHealth Scientist Administrator, HEAL Initiative Research Program |
Amy GoldsteinChief, Prevention Research Branch |
 Amy Hauck NewmanScientific Director, NIDA |
Angela Lee-WinnHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research |
Bethany DeedsDeputy Director, Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research |
Boris SabirzhanovOTIPI SBIR/STTR programme staff — HEAL Initiative |
Candace WebbHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research |
Carlos BlancoDirector, Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research |
Da-Yu WuHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Elena KoustovaDirector, OTIPI; Principal Small Business Program Manager |
Ellie JohnsonSupervisory Staff Assistant |
Ernestine LenteuProgram Specialist, OTIPI |
Guifang LaoHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences |
Hilda SchulkeStaff Assistant to the Director |
Holly MooreHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Ivan MontoyaActing Director, Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences |
 Jay BhattacharyaEx officio, National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse (NIH Director) |
Jessica LukacsOTIPI SBIR/STTR programme staff — business development (published Jess Lukacs) |
John SatterleeHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Jonathan PollockDirector, Genetics, Epigenetics and Development Branch · HIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Kathleen BorgmannHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Kiran VemuriHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Landhing MoranHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Center for Clinical Trials Network |
Leonardo AngeloneOTIPI medical devices programme; NIH Blueprint Medtech programme lead |
 Lorenzo LeggioClinical Director, NIDA |
Marie LafontantStaff Assistant to the Associate Director for Management |
Marsha LopezChief, Epidemiology Research Branch |
Mary KautzDNB lead, Tobacco Regulatory Science Program |
MeLisa CreamerDeputy Chief, Epidemiology Research Branch |
Michele RankinDirector, HEAL Initiative Research Program |
Monglan LeCorrespondence Systems Coordinator |
Morris FloodOTIPI SBIR/STTR programme staff — research tools, wellness and training |
Nathaniel DavisExecutive Officer |
 Nora D. VolkowDirector · Chair, National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse |
Poorti KhoslaStaff Assistant to the Deputy Director · Staff Assistant, HEAL Initiative Research Program |
Rachel KelleyScientific Program Analyst, HEAL Initiative Research Program |
Raul MandlerHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences |
Richard JenkinsHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research |
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Ex officio, National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse (HHS Secretary) |
Sara LioiOTIPI translational initiatives staff — drug discovery, challenges and prizes |
Saravanan KaruppagounderOTIPI SBIR/STTR programme staff — therapeutics and biomarkers |
Shang-Yi TsaiDirector, Integrative Neuroscience Branch (Anne Tsai) · HIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Shannon MitchellDeputy Chief, Prevention Research Branch |
Sheba DunstonHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research |
Shelly SuDeputy Chief, Treatment and Recovery Services Research Branch |
Shkeda Johnson-YoungDeputy Executive Officer |
Subramaniam AnanthanDirector, Chemistry Pharmacology Branch (Sam Ananthan) |
Sunila NairHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Susan R. B. WeissDirector, Division of Extramural Research; Executive Secretary, NACDA |
Tam NguyenOTIPI SBIR/STTR programme staff — pharmacotherapeutic and translational research |
Thomas ClarkeChief of Staff (published as Tom Clarke) |
Tisha WileyChief, Treatment and Recovery Services Research Branch |
Tristan McClure-BegleyActing Director, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Vani PariyadathDirector, Behavioral Cognitive Neuroscience Branch |
 Wilson M. ComptonDeputy Director |
Yordan KostovOTIPI SBIR/STTR programme staff — diagnostics and medical devices |
Yu LinHIV/AIDS research programme contact, Division of Neuroscience and Behavior |
Investments
| $398K2026-06-09 |  Doro Mind | National Institute on Drug Abuse |
| $989K2021-12-23 |  Flowly | National Institute on Drug Abuse |
| $225K2019-09-18 | Flowly | National Institute on Drug Abuse |