Volume 2, Issue 2May 2009
El Faro Staff
Liliane Cambraia Windsor, Ph.D., M.S.W., Editor
Sheila Kaupert,
Newsletter Coordinator
National Office
Jane Brooks, M.Sc., C.M.P.
Website Coordinator
National Steering Committee
José Szapocznik, Ph.D., NHSN Chair
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D.
Hortensia Amaro, Ph.D.
Ana Mari Cauce, Ph.D.
Joe Martínez, Ph.D.
Patricia Molina, M.D., Ph.D.
Humberto Nicolini-Sanchez, M.D., Ph.D.
Bryan Page, Ph.D.
Rafaela Robles, Ed.D.
Avelardo Valdez, Ph.D.
Bill Vega, Ph.D.
Current Issue
Note from the Editor
Ola y Bienvenidos!
It is with great joy that I present you with the spring issue of El Faro: La Voz de la Red. As the spring fills our lives with fresh air, sunshine, and a sense of renewal; we present you my favorite issue of El Faro. The reason for my excitement is that we are bringing to you the perspectives of renowned experts in Latino substance abuse research on a timely and extremely important issue: Translational science.
Translational science has indeed become a buzz word. But what exactly does it mean? And why is it so important? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, translational science is a structured and systematic multi-step process in which a scientific discovery is implemented in practice or policy. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed the “bench to bedside” definition in which discoveries in the basic sciences are implemented in the clinical world. NIH also recognizes another type of translational research: the adoption of evidence based practices by service systems. These definitions are quite specific; however they have a common goal: translational science aims to make an impact in practice, police, and/or in communities. This aim creates an expectation that research findings must do more than simply collect dust in library shelves: it MUST make a difference!
Unfortunately, making a difference is easier said than done. Thus we sought to discover what the NHSN membership thinks about translational science. How do we do it? What exciting translational research is being conducted by our members? We open our newsletter with a featured article by Dr. Margarita Alegria arguing that “we now need to move health services research from a science of recommendation to a science of implementation.” She provides many recommendations and sheds light into how this process can be possible. The Career Diva section follows with Dr. Jose Szapocznik describing his transition into translational research and sharing some exciting work he is currently conducting in this area. Then we learn in the First Person Column about how Dr. Mildred Maldonado-Molina progressed from her undergraduate work in Puerto Rico to successfully receive a K01 award from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Next, Dr. Ricardo Muñoz tells us about how he has been successfully using the internet to provide smoking cessation interventions throughout the world in the International Front. Dr. Nelson Tiburcio follows with important updates for early career members. Finally, we conclude with information about the 2009 NHSN conference which will be held on October 29-31 in Miami!
I would like to thank all of you who have responded to our calls for submissions, and especially those who have contributed to the current issue of El Faro. Our newsletter depends on your willingness to take the time to contribute, so thank you for making it a success! In conclusion, I would like to encourage the membership to continue to participate and submit your contributions to the newsletter. After all, El Faro is your voice!
Obrigada!
Lili