CHIPTS Center Director Steve Shoptaw, PhD, was recently awarded a UCLA 2024 Public Impact Research Award alongside five other outstanding awardees. Bestowed by the UCLA Office of Research and Creative Activities, this award celebrates the efforts of current faculty translating research into positive public action that benefits local, national, and global communities. Dr. Shoptaw’s award recognizes his longstanding efforts to support people impacted by stimulant use and HIV.
Dr. Shoptaw is a licensed psychologist, Professor in Family Medicine and Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, and Vice Chair for Research in Family Medicine at UCLA. In addition to his leadership of CHIPTS, he is Director of the UCLA Center for Behavioral and Addiction Medicine (CBAM) and of the UCLA Vine Street Clinic. He is a world-renowned expert on addiction treatment who brings his cutting-edge research straight to those who need it most at the UCLA Vine Street Clinic in Hollywood. His mission at Vine Street is to leverage scientific resources to address high rates of methamphetamine use, HIV infections, and overdose deaths among underserved individuals living in the surrounding area and across Los Angeles.
Dr. Shoptaw’s commitment to Angelenos is further exemplified by his nearly two decades of service as volunteer executive director for Safe House, a facility that provided permanent and emergency housing for those living with HIV/AIDS, substance use, and mental health disorders from 1996 to 2013. He now uses a mobile clinic to bring integrated health care services focused on addiction medicine and infectious diseases to those who are unstably housed, face transportation issues, and encounter other barriers to accessing care.
Dr. Shoptaw’s “Case-based Learning Collaborative on Stimulants” series stands out as another notable achievement. The Collaborative is a nationally recognized forum led by his addiction medicine fellows that educates doctors, nurses, social workers, and community stakeholders on best practices in implementing evidence-based addiction medicine approaches.
One of his most transformative research contributions has been his foundational work with contingency management for those who use cocaine or methamphetamine. Dr. Shoptaw advises Los Angeles County stakeholders, clinicians, and community-based organizations on how to implement this therapy — which positively reinforces desired behaviors – to help people reach their substance use-related goals.
Learn more about the Awards and other 2024 awardees on the Public Impact Research (PIR) Awards webpage.