The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) has named Wendy S. Slutske, Ph.D., professor in the department of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the recipient of the 2011 Scientific Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to the field of research on gambling disorders. The award was presented at a luncheon today The Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev., during the 12th annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction.
Dr. Slutske’s work on the landmark all-male Vietnam Era Twin Study demonstrated that there are shared genetic factors that contribute to the risk for gambling disorders, alcohol use disorders and antisocial behavior. When she replicated these findings to include women, she was the first to demonstrate that the “genetic architecture” for gambling disorders is similar in men and women.
Dr. Slutske’s work has extended beyond behavioral genetics. Her analysis of large epidemiological studies has led to the ground-breaking finding that gambling disorders are episodic rather than chronic. Her research, conducted in the United States and Australia, demonstrated low treatment-seeking for and high rates of natural recovery from gambling disorders. Her recent work also has revealed that a large number of people who recovered from gambling disorders were able to continue to gamble without symptoms of pathological gambling.
Dr. Slutske has published more than 100 articles in highly-cited, peer-reviewed journals. Her research has been supported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Gold Chalk Award for Excellence in Graduate Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Recipients of the Scientific Achievement Award are selected by an independent committee of distinguished leaders in the field of addictions and gambling research. Members of the 2011 committee include Tammy Chung, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh; Robert Ladouceur, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology, Laval University; Craig Nagoshi, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, Arizona State University; Marc N. Potenza, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine; and Katherine Spilde, Ph.D., M.B.A., chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming and associate professor, San Diego State University.
To view past recipients of the NCRG’s Scientific Achievement Award, visit the NCRG website.
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