Hoang V. Le

Program Officer at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (all views/posts are my own)

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The NIH has been working to develop a program focused on UPFs for the past 15 yrs. I am glad & honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the establishment of this program. I look forward to continuing to work with the group to further develop the program in the coming yrs.

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The common fund Ultra-Processed Foods: Investigating Mechanisms, Prevention, and Action for Chronic Disease and Transformation (UPF-IMPACT) program has recently been approved by the NIH Council of Councils.
The recording of the meeting is now available at: https://t.co/NygZoOihCk

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The UPF-IMPACT program was presented on Day 1 at 11 am (at around 02:23:38 in the Day 1 recording).
The background document and presentation slides are available to the public via the link above.
The budget for the program is $150 million over 5 years.

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

In the absence of preliminary data, applicants are expected to use evidence from the literature or other relevant information to support the scientific rationale and feasibility.
The first application receipt date is October 16, 2026.
This is going to be a great program!

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program is now open for applications.
This program aims to facilitate the entry of investigators into multiple high-priority areas of substance use research, including comorbidity with HIV.
https://t.co/CF18vCU8YK

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

Preliminary data are not required. Instead, the program is designed to provide investigators with the opportunity to gather preliminary data that will assist them in securing future research grants and advancing their scientific careers.

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

My first time presenting at NIDA council. Starts at 2:42:30
https://t.co/cekkIEPijj

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

NIDA has published a forecast for the Science Track Award for Research Transition (START) Program:
https://t.co/WKL8FkjMqK

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The deadline for submission to this research topic has been extended to November 28, 2025:
https://t.co/tiyYUg8L71

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

@rjdoerksen Thanks, Robert!

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The latest manuscript of my former lab was accepted for publication in Medicinal Chemistry Research. We reported our discovery of a new chemical transformation: a mild and catalyst-free α-benzoyloxylation of tertiary amides. Congratulations, Leo and Imdad!
https://t.co/asW0zTtGGe

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The paper can be downloaded at this link:
https://t.co/y2A6SaiUEi~

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The paper can be read online at this link:
https://t.co/fd2FRRPZVQ

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The latest manuscript of my former lab was accepted for publication in Pest Management Science. We reported our discovery of several 1,4-naphthoquinone-based compounds that have activity against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. Congrats, Seong Jong and Imdad!
https://t.co/pyysab6zs0

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

Check out two recent publications in the research methods collection on "Current Research Methods in Natural Product-Inspired Drug Discovery" at the Journal of Visualized Experiments, which I guest edited.
https://t.co/T9pIzLUOtz

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

NIDA has a special interest in lead discovery and drug development from natural products and natural product-like compounds to treat substance use disorders. Available funding mechanisms include U01, UG3/UH3, R01, and R21.
https://t.co/4gD0eWc6cT

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

Funding opportunities from the Chemistry and Pharmacology Branch at NIDA:

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

The I/START program is now reissued for the years 2025-2027: https://t.co/eVvaPlQjqW
It is to encourage Small Research Grant applications to facilitate the entry of investigators to the area of neuroimaging. Each application can request up to $150,000 for 1 year in direct costs.

[Hoang V. Le @HoangVLe]

My former graduate student, Ben Sawyer, successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation yesterday. Congrats, Ben! This is the last PhD coming out from my former independent lab [total = 2 postdocs, 4 PhDs (including a Fulbright), 2 PharmDs, 8 BSs, & many other undergrd & hs stdnts].