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About the United States Association for the Study of Pain and the dedicated committees that drive its values. About the USASP Promoting scientific advances that reduce the burden of pain. Our goal is to bring diverse perspectives, including those of scientists, clinicians, health-care providers, and policymakers, together to stimulate and support the study of pain and to translate that knowledge into improved pain relief. Representing scientists nationwide who collaboratively research, diagnose, and treat pain in the United States. Membership remains open to scientists, professionals, and community members interested in our mission to provide pain relief while placing people first. BECOME A MEMBER Executive Committee Burel Goodin, PhD President Dr. Burel Goodin, PhD, is a tenured Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology within the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). Before joining WUSTL in 2023, Dr. Goodin spent 11 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where they rose to the rank of Professor of Psychology and co-directed the Center for Addiction Pain Prevention & Intervention (CAPPI). Dr. Goodin is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in translational pain science, with broad expertise ranging from clinical psychology to behavioral neuroscience and a notable record of both building and leading transdisciplinary research teams. Currently serving as the Principal Investigator (PI) or Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) on four R01 awards, as well as the site PI for an R37 MERIT award, and co-investigator on an R01 and an NIH HEAL Initiative Other Transactions Authority (OTA) award, Dr. Goodin's scientific expertise is centrally related to disparities in the pain experience and pain management based upon minority status. They have published extensively on psychological aspects of chronic pain outcomes, with recent work examining environmental conditions and contexts influencing pain. Dr. Goodin is a leading expert in the application of social neuroscience frameworks to understand the mechanisms driving pain disparities, particularly focusing on older African American/Black populations. Continually funded by NIH since 2010, serving as a member on the NIH/NIDA Career Development Education and Training (CDET) study section, and having published over 125 peer-reviewed publications with nearly 5,500 citations per Google Scholar, Dr. Goodin's career is defined by bringing together investigators from different disciplines to address scientific problems requiring innovative translational research perspectives. John Farrar, MD, PhD Past-President John T. Farrar, MD, PhD. is a Professor of Epidemiology (primary), Neurology (secondary), and Anesthesia (secondary) at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his MD from the University of Rochester, and MSCE and PhD in pharmacoepidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a funded investigator in clinical research for over 25 years with a major focus on studies of the efficacy of pain therapeutics and design of pain clinical trials. As a neurologist and a pharmacoepidemiologist, he has been involved in numerous studies including randomized trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and methodologic studies of pain and associated symptoms, making important contributions to the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of pain related studies. At the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, he has co-directed the Biostatistical Analysis Center and for 15 years the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) program, a two-year masters program focused on training 25-30 fellows per year to launch their careers as independently funded scientists in clinical research. In his mentoring role he has worked with a diverse group of more than 25 fellows, been primary mentor on several career development awards and teaches courses in health measurement, clinical trials, and grant writing. He currently is a member of multiple Special Interest Groups in the IASP and was previously the co-Director of the Pain Measurement SIG for the APS as well as a member of the APS board. DISCLOSURES: Vertex Pharam (consulting fees) Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, PhD Treasurer Yenisel Cruz-Almeida MSPH, Ph.D. was born in La Habana, Cuba. She completed a B.Sc. degree in Microbiology & Cell Science in 2001. In 2004 she completed her master’s degree in Epidemiology & Public Health with a concentration in Biostatistics, and in 2011, her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami MILLER School of Medicine. As a postdoc, she focused on pain phenotyping including investigating age and pain-related biomarkers of immune function and training in Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Florida. Yenisel is currently a tenured Associate Professor in the Departments of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology and Neuroscience in the Colleges of Dentistry & Medicine. Dr Cruz-Almeida also serves as the Associate Director of the UF Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence and the Core Leader of the Pilot & Exploratory Studies Core of the UF Older American Independence Calude D. Pepper Center. She is the Course Director of various pain (Neurobiology of Pain, Science and Clinical Management of Dental Pain), and translational research (Clinical Translational Sciences Journal Club) courses. She is a member of the executive committee of the North American Pain School (2022-2025), the Chair of the NIH Center for Scientific Review Neurobiology of Pain & Itch Study Section (2023-2025), and serves on the leadership of the “Pain In Older Persons SIG of the International Association for the Study of Pain (2022-present). DISCLOSURES: Journal of Pain (Associate Editor) Claudia Campbell, PhD Secretary Dr. Claudia Campbell, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with a laboratory boasting a strong history of NIH-supported work in the neurophysiological assessment of pain responses and their interaction with psychosocial processes. Maintaining a robust multidisciplinary membership within the society is of great importance to Dr. Campbell. She holds a NIH K24 grant dedicated to mentoring future leaders in the pain field and recognize the vital role of the US Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) in it's development. Having joined the society’s predecessor, APS, as a graduate student, Dr. Campbell understands the impact societies have on facilitating the careers of young investigators. She attended every meeting from 2002-2019, contributing to various committees and serving as a board member in the last several years before its dissolution. Dr. Campbell thoroughly enjoyed her time on the board and is eager to take on the role of secretary in the USASP board. She aims to actively collaborate with energetic and invested leaders to guide the society, brainstorm and implement strategies for continuous innovation and improvement, and manage record-keeping and meeting minutes in conjunction with the society’s administration. Dr. Campbell believes she is well-suited to represent the needs of USASP members and the interests of individuals in the pain community who benefit from the society’s initiatives. Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, MD, PhD Board Representative Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, MD PhD received a medical degree from Centro Universitario de Occidente, Quetzaltenango (Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala) in 1999 and a Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Spain, in 2003. Currently, Dr. Romero-Sandoval is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Social Sciences and Health Policy at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC (U.S.). His laboratory explores neuroimmune interactions in surgical and neuropathic pain and neuropathies induced by trauma, diabetes, or chemotherapy. Additionally, Dr. Romero-Sandoval studies the endocannabinoid system in the context of pain, cannabis pharmacology, and how the cannabis market in the U.S. is shaped and could affect pain patients. Board of Directors Burel Goodin, PhD President Dr. Burel Goodin, PhD, is a tenured Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology within the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). Before joining WUSTL in 2023, Dr. Goodin spent 11 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where they rose to the rank of Professor of Psychology and co-directed the Center for Addiction Pain Prevention & Intervention (CAPPI). Dr. Goodin is nationally and internationally recognized as an expert in translational pain science, with broad expertise ranging from clinical psychology to behavioral neuroscience and a notable record of both building and leading transdisciplinary research teams. Currently serving as the Principal Investigator (PI) or Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) on four R01 awards, as well as the site PI for an R37 MERIT award, and co-investigator on an R01 and an NIH HEAL Initiative Other Transactions Authority (OTA) award, Dr. Goodin's scientific expertise is centrally related to disparities in the pain experience and pain management based upon minority status. They have published extensively on psychological aspects of chronic pain outcomes, with recent work examining environmental conditions and contexts influencing pain. Dr. Goodin is a leading expert in the application of social neuroscience frameworks to understand the mechanisms driving pain disparities, particularly focusing on older African American/Black populations. Continually funded by NIH since 2010, serving as a member on the NIH/NIDA Career Development Education and Training (CDET) study section, and having published over 125 peer-reviewed publications with nearly 5,500 citations per Google Scholar, Dr. Goodin's career is defined by bringing together investigators from different disciplines to address scientific problems requiring innovative translational research perspectives. John Farrar, MD, PhD Past-President John T. Farrar, MD, PhD. is a Professor of Epidemiology (primary), Neurology (secondary), and Anesthesia (secondary) at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his MD from the University of Rochester, and MSCE and PhD in pharmacoepidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a funded investigator in clinical research for over 25 years with a major focus on studies of the efficacy of pain therapeutics and design of pain clinical trials. As a neurologist and a pharmacoepidemiologist, he has been involved in numerous studies including randomized trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and methodologic studies of pain and associated symptoms, making important contributions to the measurement, analysis, and interpretation of pain related studies. At the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, he has co-directed the Biostatistical Analysis Center and for 15 years the Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) program, a two-year masters program focused on training 25-30 fellows per year to launch their careers as independently funded scientists in clinical research. In his mentoring role he has worked with a diverse group of more than 25 fellows, been primary mentor on several career development awards and teaches courses in health measurement, clinical trials, and grant writing. He currently is a member of multiple Special Interest Groups in the IASP and was previously the co-Director of the Pain Measurement SIG for the APS as well as a member of the APS board. DISCLOSURES: Vertex Pharam (consulting fees) Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, PhD Treasurer Yenisel Cruz-Almeida MSPH, Ph.D. was born in La Habana, Cuba. She completed a B.Sc. degree in Microbiology & Cell Science in 2001. In 2004 she completed her master’s degree in Epidemiology & Public Health with a concentration in Biostatistics, and in 2011, her Ph.D. in Neuroscience at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis at the University of Miami MILLER School of Medicine. As a postdoc, she focused on pain phenotyping including investigating age and pain-related biomarkers of immune function and training in Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Florida. Yenisel is currently a tenured Associate Professor in the Departments of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences, Epidemiology and Neuroscience in the Colleges of Dentistry & Medicine. Dr Cruz-Almeida also serves as the Associate Director of the UF Pain Research & Intervention Center of Excellence and the Core Leader of the Pilot & Exploratory Studies Core of the UF Older American Independence Calude D. Pepper Center. She is the Course Director of various pain (Neurobiology of Pain, Science and Clinical Management of Dental Pain), and translational research (Clinical Translational Sciences Journal Club) courses. She is a member of the executive committee of the North American Pain School (2022-2025), the Chair of the NIH Center for Scientific Review Neurobiology of Pain & Itch Study Section (2023-2025), and serves on the leadership of the “Pain In Older Persons SIG of the International Association for the Study of Pain (2022-present). DISCLOSURES: Journal of Pain (Associate Editor) Claudia Campbell, PhD Secretary Dr. Claudia Campbell, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with a laboratory boasting a strong history of NIH-supported work in the neurophysiological assessment of pain responses and their interaction with psychosocial processes. Maintaining a robust multidisciplinary membership within the society is of great importance to Dr. Campbell. They hold an NIH K24 grant dedicated to mentoring future leaders in the pain field and recognize the vital role of the US Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) in their development. Having joined the society’s predecessor, APS, as a graduate student, Dr. Campbell understands the impact societies have on facilitating the careers of young investigators. They attended every meeting from 2002-2019, contributing to various committees and serving as a board member in the last several years before its dissolution. Dr. Campbell thoroughly enjoyed their time on the board and is eager to take on the role of secretary in the USASP board. They aim to actively collaborate with energetic and invested leaders to guide the society, brainstorm and implement strategies for continuous innovation and improvement, and manage record-keeping and meeting minutes in conjunction with the society’s administration. Dr. Campbell believes they are well-suited to represent the needs of USASP members and the interests of individuals in the pain community who benefit from the society’s initiatives. NEW Rajesh Khanna, PhD Director Dr. Rajesh Khanna is the Richard and Thelma O.C. Barney Term Professor and serves as the Director of the Pain Research and Integrated Neuroscience Center (PRINC) at the University of Florida's Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. His research focuses on the allosteric regulation and trafficking of voltage-gated ion channels, particularly in the context of chronic pain and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Khanna's laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach that includes mouse genetics, confocal microscopy, protein biochemistry, electrophysiology, live imaging, and behavioral analyses in rodent models to investigate the mechanisms underlying chronic pain. In addition to his research, he teaches courses such as "Molecules to Man: Past, Present and Future Therapeutic Strategies for Disease" and "Principles of Drug Action and Therapeutics" at the University of Florida. Sam Meints, PhD Director Dr. Samantha Meints is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesia at Harvard Medical School, where she is dedicated to advancing research that aims to prevent and treat chronic pain through nonpharmacologic interventions. She is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health for a project exploring the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mind-body intervention, to prevent chronic pain and long-term opioid use following spine surgery. In addition to her research, Dr. Meints is passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of pain clinicians and researchers. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Meints is a devoted fan of Chicago sports. She spent a decade in Indianapolis before relocating to the Boston area in 2017 to complete her internship at VA Boston. She then joined Brigham and Women’s Hospital for a fellowship and became faculty in 2020. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Butler University and completed her graduate training at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Outside of her professional work, Dr. Meints enjoys spending time with her husband, young son, and their dog. She has a lifelong love of softball, both playing and coaching, and finds joy in traveling, exploring food and wine, and embracing her value of playfulness—especially as she experiences the world anew through the eyes of motherhood. Emily Wakefield, PsyD Director Emily Wakefield, PsyD, is a pediatric psychologist in the Division of Pain and Palliative Medicine at Connecticut Children’s. Dr. Wakefield has dedicated her career to understanding and reducing the psychological burden of disease for children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and their families. Dr. Wakefield has expertise in pediatric pain and research interests in psychosocial factors impacting the quality of life for youth with chronic pain and sickle cell disease. The social support challenges that youth with chronic pain face due to the invisibility of chronic pain is a current focus of her NIH-funded research. She is evaluating the impact of pain-related stigma on children and adolescents with chronic pain and their caregivers. Additionally, Dr. Wakefield is dedicated to identifying barriers and solutions to reducing chronic pain inequities among marginalized youth. Dr. Wakefield has been recognized as a leader in her clinical abilities during her doctoral and fellowship training programs where she received several recognitions, including the Director’s Award for Sustained Superior Performance and the Clinical Excellence Leadership Postdoctoral Fellow Award. Anna Woodbury, MD Director Anna Woodbury, MD, MSCR, C.Ac. founded the Division for Pain Management at the Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VAHCS) in Atlanta and currently serves as the Associate Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Anesthesiology at Emory University. She is double-board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and licensed to practice Acupuncture. She is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at Emory University School of Medicine and active in research at both Emory and VAHCS. She has been a member of the national Committee on Pain Medicine for the American Society of Anesthesiologists and has served on institutional and federal grant review committees including NIH and VA study sections. She has presented nationally and written book chapters, articles and clinical reviews on integrative medicine and neuromodulation, including applications for chronic pain management, anesthesia and neuroprotection. She has also edited a Pain Management Board Review book. Her clinical expertise and research interests include the use of non-pharmacologic therapies for the management of pain, and she has a specific interest in understanding and treating chronic widespread pain conditions with non-invasive brain stimulation. She is one of the original members of the USASP and was recently elected to its Board of Directors. She is also a Charter Member of the Vagus Nerve Society and serves as its Secretary. DISCLOSURES: Elsevier book royalties, Lumina Health royalties Katherine Martucci, PhD Director Katherine Martucci, PhD is Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology, Director of the Human Affect and Pain Neuroscience (HAPN) Lab, faculty member of the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, and faculty member of the Center for Translational Pain Medicine (CTPM) at Duke University. At Duke University, Dr Martucci’s lab uses a combination of neuroimaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain and cervical spinal cord, as well as sensory, behavioral, and psychological tests to study acute pain processing and chronic pain in humans. Dr Martucci received her BS, majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology, from the University of Connecticut, and her PhD in Neurobiology and Anatomy (with graduate mentor, Dr Robert Coghill; and dissertation committee chair, Dr James Eisenach) from Wake Forest School of Medicine. She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr Sean Mackey at Stanford University. Collectively, Dr Martucci has over 15 years in neuroimaging and collaborative pain research. Her established research program on the neurophysiology of chronic pain and opioid use has been funded by the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences (DIBS), a DREAM Innovation Grant, and multiple NIH NIDA awards (F31, K99/R00, R01). In addition to her role on the Board of Directors for USASP, Dr Martucci’s service to the field of pain research includes her roles as member of the Early Career Advisory Group and Membership Committee for the former American Pain Society (APS), member of the 2020 Global Year Task Force for the Prevention of Pain and the Digital Strategy and Content Working Group for the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), and member of the Nominations Committee, Diversity Inclusion and Anti-Racism in Pain SIG, Substance Use and Addiction SIG, and 2023 meeting local organizing committee for the USASP. Daniela Salvemini, PhD Director Daniela Salvemini, Ph.D is William Beaumont Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology at Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Medicine, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience and Director of SLU’s Institute for Translational Neuroscience. Dr. Salvemini received her BSc in Pharmacology from Kings College in London and her PhD in Pharmacology from the University of London under the mentorship of the late Nobel Prize winner Professor Sir John Vane. She pursued postdoctoral studies at the William Harvey Research Institute in London and in the Department of Discovery Pharmacology at Monsanto in Saint Louis. Before joining SLU in 2005, Dr Salvemini spent 15 years in the private sector where she led drug discovery efforts on novel anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics. Dr Salvemini’s research interests are to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning neuropathic pain and developing therapeutics to target these mechanisms. Her highly translational approaches combine behavioral pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, toxicology and drug discovery. Her work led to several seminal discoveries that resulted in the development of novel therapies that entered clinical trials. She has published over 270 peer-reviewed articles and holds many U.S. patents. Dr. Salvemini is founder of BioIntervene Inc, which is developing first-in-class selective A3AR agonists for the treatment of chronic pain and neuroinflammatory diseases and founding Director of the Henry and Amelia Nasrallah Center for Neuroscience at SLU. She is a board member of the United States Association for the Study of Pain. Dr. Salvemini has been honored with several awards for her basic science and translational research in pain and inflammation, including the Novartis Award in Pharmacology, the Outstanding Scientist Award from the Saint Louis Academy of Science and the Pharmacia-ASPET Award in Experimental Therapeutics. Dr. Salvemini is a fellow of the Saint Louis Academy of Science, a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and a fellow of the American Society of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Her research has been funded consistently by the NIH, foundations and the private sector. DISCLOSURES: Biointervene Inc. Janiece Taylor, PhD Director Dr. Janiece Taylor, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, is an Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the School of Nursing. She draws the foundation for her commitment and passion for pain research from personal, clinical, and professional experiences. Witnessing the enduring struggle of her mother and grandmother with chronic debilitating pain in her early life left a profound impact. As a bedside nurse, Dr. Taylor formed intimate connections with patients navigating varying degrees of undermanaged pain. Her role as a researcher provided opportunities to listen and collaborate with participants, gaining insight into the exhaustive impact pain had on their overall quality of life. Each of these encounters fuels Dr. Taylor's unwavering dedication and aspiration to enhance pain outcomes for marginalized groups, particularly middle-aged and older adults from underrepresented backgrounds such as African Americans and individuals with disabilities. Consequently, her career and research mission are centered on addressing the historical inequities faced by these groups concerning pain-related outcomes. Monica Gremillion, PhD Director Monica Gremillion, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist who collaborates within interdisciplinary pain treatment teams in both outpatient clinics and intensive pain treatment programs. Committed to enhancing the health and quality of life for patients with chronic pain, Dr. Gremillion's clinical work and research prioritize elevating patient voices and fostering partnerships in pain care. Her clinical research specifically targets reducing perceptions of pain dismissal. Alongside their clinical practice, Dr. Gremillion serves as the Associate Director of the Pediatric Psychology Practicum Program, where she oversees the training of graduate-level psychology students, provides supervision, contributes to curriculum development for didactics, and leads program evaluation efforts. She has spearheaded a workgroup dedicated to developing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative for psychology residents, with the goal of integrating awareness of individual and cultural differences into professional settings. Dr. Gremillion finds mentoring trainees to be profoundly rewarding within the realm of academic medicine, recognizing its importance in cultivating a new generation of pain scholars. Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, MD, PhD Director Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, MD PhD received a medical degree from Centro Universitario de Occidente, Quetzaltenango (Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala) in 1999 and a Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience from Universidad de Alcalá de Henares, Spain, in 2003. Currently, Dr. Romero-Sandoval is a Professor of Anesthesiology and Social Sciences and Health Policy at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC (U.S.). His laboratory explores neuroimmune interactions in surgical and neuropathic pain and neuropathies induced by trauma, diabetes, or chemotherapy. Additionally, Dr. Romero-Sandoval studies the endocannabinoid system in the context of pain, cannabis pharmacology, and how the cannabis market in the U.S. is shaped and could affect pain patients. Chief Administrative Officer Jennifer Haythornthwaite, PhD Director of Operations Brittany Knight, PhD Program Manager Janelle Letzen, PhD Administrative Assistant Eileen Conroy Dedicated Staff Recommends positions and/or action on issues of importance to the USASP. The committee will scan state and federal initiatives and pending legislation or legal decisions that fall within the mission of USASP and advise the Board of Directors regarding recommendations, positions, and/or actions required. Chair: Diane Hoffmann, JD, University of Maryland Co-Chair: Kate Nicholson, JD, National Pain Advocacy Center Board Representative: Anna Woodbury, MD, Emory University School of Medicine and Atlanta VA View Full Committee Afton Hassett, PsyD, University of Michgain Anna Woodbury, MD, Emory University School of Medicine and Atlanta VA Christin Veasley, Chronic Pain Research Alliance Corey Simon, PhD, Duke University Emily Wakefield, PsyD, Connecticut Children's Medical Center at University of Connecticut School of Medicine Jan Mooney, PhD, Emory University Jennifer De La Rosa, PhD, Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction, University of Arizona Health Sciences Juan Hincapie-Castillo, PharmD, MS, PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Luis Moscote, MD Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, Michigan State University Nick Gregory, MD, Stanford University Vidya Chidambaran,MD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Whitney Redemer, Virginia Commonwealth University Advocacy Overseeing awards that recognize achievements in the field of Pain Science. The committee will develop and recommend awards to the Board of Directors, oversee the review of candidates and recommendations to the Board for each award. Chair: Sara Edmond, PhD, Yale School of Medicine Co-Chair: Andrea Nackley, PhD, Duke University Board Representative: Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, PhD, University of Florida View Full Committee Amy William, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine Yu Shin Kim, PhD, University of Texas Health San Antonio Yuriy Usachev, PhD, University of Iowa Feng Tao, PhD, Texas A&M University Health Science Center Yong Chen, PhD, Duke University Fletcher White, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine Kimberly Ostrow, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Awards Identifies and proposes the names of and terms of all committee chairs and members to the Board of Directors. Recommendations are made to ensure diversity, including race, gender, age, and geographic and professional diversity across committees and within each committee. Chair: Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Co-Chair: John Farrar, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania View Full Committee Edwin Aroke, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, Hadas Nahman-Averbuch, PhD,Washington University, Janet Van Cleave, PhD, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, Jaspreet Sodhi, PhD, Marshall University Kimberly Stephens, PhD, UHMS Marco Loggia, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School Wei Lei, PhD, Campbell University Committee on Committees Guides USASP initiatives and programs centered on educating the public, educators, health care providers, and government officials about pain research and treatment. Chair: Don Daniel Ocay, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital Co-Chair: Harrison Stratton, PhD University of Pittsburgh Board Representative: Raj Khanna, PhD, University of Florida View Full Committee Abdul Hakeem Binhambali, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Adewale Fadaka, PhD, Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Elizabeth Leimer, PhD, UPMC Fiona Agbor, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Giovanni Berardi, PhD, University of Iowa Javier Tamargo, PhD, University of Florida Lida Khodavirdilou, Texas Tech University Michael Ray, George Washington University Miranda Layne, UNC Chapel Hill Anesthesiology Research Tanya Smit, University of Houston Thea Senger-Carpenter, PhD, University of Michiga Communications Committee Established to support and enhance the education and professional development of pain researchers and clinicians at all stages of their careers through education, training, networking, and other activities. Working closely with the Scientific Program Committee to increase and enhance diversity and inclusion within USASP, by advancing the needs of all audiences, ensuring accessibility for all pain researchers/clinicians and encouraging a climate that supports their difference. Webinar Subcommittee Chair: Danielle Wesolowicz, PhD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System at Yale School of Medicine Co-Chair: Emily Bartley, PhD, University of Florida Board Representative: Katherine Martucci, PhD, Duke University Leadership Academy Subcommittee Chair: Michael Jankowski, PhD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Co-Chair: Meaghan Creed, PhD, Washington University in St Louis Board Representative: Emily Wakefield, PsyD, Connecticut Children's/University of Connecticut Early Career Forum Planning Committee Chair: Tayler Sheahan, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin Co-Chair: Michael Lacagnina, PhD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Board Representative: Janiece Taylor, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Certificate Program Task Force Chair: Keela Herr, PhD, University of Iowa Co-Chair: Josh Crow, PhD, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University Board Representative: Monica Gremillion, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin View Full Committee Kathryn Braden, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Sebastian Tong, MD, University of Washington Shevon Alexander, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas Corey Woldenberg, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Areerat Suputtitada, MD Jelena Janjic, PhD, Chronic Pain Research Consortium at Duquesne University Jaclyn Merlo, UT Health San Antonio Michael Stroud, PhD, Veterans Affairs Caitlin Murray, PhD, Seattle Children's Research Institute Scott Ravyts, PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Julie Vignato, PhD, University of Iowa Christine Sieberg, PhD, Harvard Medical School Katherine Theken, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Lakeya McGill, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Juliet Mwirigi, PhD, Washington University School of Medicine Jennifer Haythornthwaite, PhD, Johns Hopkins University Shreela Palit, PhD, Nemours Children's Health Jessica Merlin, MD, University of Pittsburgh Francis Keefe, PhD, Duke University Fred Goldstein, PhD, Phila College of Osteopathic Medicine Education and Professional Development View Full Committee Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis John Farrar, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Yenisel Cruz Almeida, PhD, University of Florida Claudia Campbell, PhD, Johns Hopkins University E. Alfonso Romero-Sandoval, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, MD, PhD Executive Determines annual dues, prepares a budget, and makes recommendations on reserve funds and investments to the Board of Directors. When an audit is scheduled, the committee works with the independent auditor to ensure compliance with accounting rules and regulations. Chair and Treasurer: Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, PhD, University of Florida View Full Committee Chaired by the Treasurer: Yenisel Cruz Almeida, PhD, University of Florida Chief Administrative Officer: Jennifer Haythornthwaite, PhD, Johns Hopkins University President -Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Past-President John Farrar, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Secretary: Claudia Campbell, PhD, Johns Hopkins University Board Member: Emily Wakefield, PhD, Connecticut Children's/University of Connecticut Board Member: Sam Meints, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital Board Member: Rajesh Khanna, PhD,University of Florida Journal of Pain Editorial Board Member: Mark Bicket, MD, PhD University of Michigan Finance The primary charge of this committee is to increase USASP membership through the recruitment of new members and retention of existing members. It will be responsible for developing policies and procedures regarding the membership application process. Chair: Lora Black, PhD, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Co-Chair: Mark Bicket, MD, PhD, University of Michigan Board Representative: Claudia Campbell, PhD, Johns Hopkins University View Full Committee Adam Dourson, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Carlene Moore, PhD, Duke University Carrie Brintz, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Chloe Alexandre, PhD Joao De Aquino, MD, Yale University Keren Machol, MD, Baylor College of Medicine Membership Solicit nominees for USASP board and Officers (President, Treasurer, Secretary). The Committee will generate the wording for the call for nominees to ensure that those running for elected positions represent the disciplines and composition of the membership. The committee will evaluate each nominee for qualifications and then present to the Association membership the names of all qualified candidates for election to the Board and to the Officers of the Association. Chair: Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Co-Chair: John Farrar, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania View Full Committee Andrea Thomas, University of Alabama at Birmingham Barbara St Marie, PhD, University of Iowa Christine Sang, MD Ellen Terry, PhD, University of Florida College of Nursing Michael Gold, PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Michelle Hook, PhD Staja Booker, PhD, University of Florida Ying Xu, PhD, MD, Rutgers University Nominations Develop a network of partnerships with other professional societies and patient groups interested in working with the USASP to support pain research, management, and education. The committee will evaluate and recommend opportunities for collaboration to the Board of Directors and, once approved, develop a process for executing the collaboration with the identified partners. This committee will appoint/elect a Chair and co-Chair to facilitate projects. One or both individuals are strongly encouraged to become members and/or attend meetings of the Advocacy Committee to enhance communication between the committees and support collaboration on projects that align with both committee’s charges when appropriate. Chair: Samantha Meints, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital Co-Chair: Benedict Alter, MD, University of Pittsburgh Board Representative: Anna Woodbury, MD, Emory University School of Medicine and Atlanta VA View Full Committee Donna Kreher, PhD, University of Rochester School of Medicine – Strong Memorial Hospital Lisa Campbell, PhD, East Carolina University Melissa Makhoul, PhD, University of Florida Shad Smith, PhD, Duke University Naeem Patel, Carle Illinois College of Medicine Organizational Partnerships The PWLE Committee works to integrate the voices and perspectives of people living with pain into USASP’s initiatives. Members collaborate with USASP leadership to put into action the recommendations of the Patient Involvement Task Force, ensuring that lived experience informs research, education, advocacy, and clinical practice. This committee fosters meaningful collaboration among USASP members, people with lived experience, healthcare providers, researchers, educators, and advocates. Chair: Christin Veasley, CPRA Co-founder and Director, Chronic Pain Research Alliance Co-Chair: Robert Edwards, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital Board Representative: Janiece Taylor, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing View Full Committee Christin Veasley, Chronic Pain Research Alliance Robert Edwards, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital Janiece Taylor, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Amanda Stone, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Janelle Letzen, PhD, National Institutes of Health Karin Westlund High, PhD, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Robert Kerns, PhD, Yale University Sharon Waldrop, Fibromyalgia Association Tom Norris, American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) Virginia McIntyre, People In Pain Network (PIPN) Paul Zeltzer, MD, Whole Child LA People with Lived Experience Engagement Committee Evaluates oversee opportunities and invitations for collaboration with other groups, including but not limited to policy statements or briefs, guideline development, deliberations in advocacy efforts, and endorsement of best practice recommendations, guidelines or resources. Chair: Kenneth Goldschneider, MD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Co-Chair: Keela Herr, PhD, University of Iowa Board Representative: Katherine Martucci, PhD, Duke University View Full Committee Kenneth Goldschneider, MD, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Keela Herr, PhD, University of Iowa Katherine Martucci, PhD, Duke University Dan Wang, PhD, University of Virginia Jijun Xu, MD, PhD, Cleveland Clinic Nancy Crego, PhD, Duke University School of Nursing Steve Davidson, PhD, University of Cincinnati Project Collaborations Chair: Theodore Price, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas View Full Committee Theodore Price, PhD, University of Texas at Dallas Arkady Khoutorsky, PhD, McGill University Candie Paulsen, PhD Helen Lai, PhD, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Seena Ajit, PhD, Drexel University College of Medicine Yuanxiang Tao, PhD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, PhD, University of Florida Rita Allen Foundation Scholars in Pain Review Committee The primary charge of this Committee is the annual scientific meeting of the USASP, which includes everything ranging from the meeting format to running sessions (if necessary and appropriate). The committee will need to balance the needs of the SIGs, oversee content for Early Career professions, and evaluate satellite sessions. The goal will be to organize a meeting that best meets the needs of the USASP membership. This committee will work closely with the Education Committee, as in the post-COVID19 era, a single event spread over three to five days may no longer be the only way to meet the needs of members. Chair: Peter Grace, PhD, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Co-Chair: Laura Frey Law, University of Iowa View Full Committee Lizbeth Ayoub, PhD, Harvard Medical School Mark Bicket, MD, PhD, University of Michigan Carolos Cruz, PhD, University of Florida Natoshia Cunningham, PhD, Michigan State University John Farrar, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Liz Felix, PhD, University of Miami Patrick Finan, PhD, University of Virginia Marianna Gasperi, PhD, University of Washington Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Martha Kenney, MD, Duke University Rajesh Khanna, PhD, University of Florida Mei-Chuan Ko, PhD, Wake Forest School of Medicine Guilherme J M Lacerda, MD/DO Hadas Nahman-Averbuch, PhD, Washington University Sarah Nelson, PhD, Harvard Medical School Tom Norris, American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) Kate Sadler, PhD, The University of Texas at Dallas Caroline Sawicki, PhD, University of North Carolina Andrew Shepherd, PhD Kimberly Stephens, PhD, Arkansas Children's Research Institute Heberto Suarez-Roca, PhD, Duke University Medical Center Yuanxiang Tao, PhD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Ellen Terry, PhD, UF College of Nursing See Wan Tham, PhD, University of Washington School of Medicine Zina Trost, PhD, Texas A&M University Dan Wang, University of Florida College of Medicine Jenny Wilkerson, PhD, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Yohannes Woubishet Woldeamanuel, MD/DO, Mayo Clinic Arizona Veronica Zador, International Institute of Yoga Therapy Scientific Program Members are investigators who are experienced in conducting pain research that involves human subjects and most will have received external funding for this research. Chair: Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Co-Chair: John Farrar, MD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Board Representative: TBD View Full Committee Burel Goodin, PhD, Washington University in St. Louis Chen Chen, PhD, University of Arizona Cornelius Groenewald, MD/DO, Stanford University Fenan Rassu, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Hailey Bulls, PhD, University of Pittsburgh Janet Van Cleave, PhD, New York University Meyers College of Nursing, PhD John Farrar, University of Pennsylvania, MD, PhD Lori Schirle, PhD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Sebastian Tong, MD/DO, University of Washington Small Grant Sponsorship policy will be used to guide decisions about accepting external funding sources to the USASP (e.g., from either for-profit or non-profit organizations) and standards for disclosing these funds once accepted. The committee will also recommend to the Board of Directors standards for the acceptance of advertisements proposed by the publisher of The Journal of Pain. Finally, this committee will be charged with pursuing sponsorship for USASP events and activities with the goal of generating funds to be used to further the goals of the Association. Chair: Patrick Finan, PhD, University of Virginia Co-Chair: Christine Sang, MD, MPH, FASA, Brigham and Women's Hospital View Full Committee Christine N. Sang, MD, MPH, BWH/HMS Hajira Elahi, University of Texas at Dallas Jerry Kalangara, MD, Emory University School of Medicine Rachel Aaron, PhD, Johns Hopkins University Sponsorship Committees and Task Forces Thriving on the dedication of passionate member volunteers who drive our committees and working groups. Their involvement plays a vital role in addressing both our policy and operational concerns, ensuring efficacy as an association. Without their expertise, our achievements would not be possible. Understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and management of abdominal and pelvic pain by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, research, education, and advocacy. Co-Chair: Kristen Weaver-Toedtman, University of South Carolina Co-Chair: Jami L Saloman, University of Pittsburgh Learn more about this SIG Abdominal and Pelvic Pain Understanding of mechanisms, assessment, prevention, and management of acute pain, including the transition from acute to chronic pain. Chair: Mollie Meffert, Johns Hopkins University SOM Co-Chair: Paramita Basu, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research Learn more about this SIG Acute (to Chronic) Pain Sharing and promoting scientific knowledge and understanding of pain. Chair: Nicole Scheff, Pittsburg Center for Pain Research Co-Chair: Matthew Sapio, National Institutes of Health Co-Chair: Michael Burton, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS) Learn more about this SIG Basic Science - Preclinical To promote scientific advances in pain clinical trials through high quality research design and development of professional competence to reduce the burden of pain. Chair: Giovanni Berardi, University of Iowa Co-Chair: Trevor Lentz, Duke University Learn more about this SIG Clinical Trials for Pain Research Cultivating a collaborative approach for translational preclinical, clinical and population research specialties in pain. “Advance Pain Management from Bench to Bedside.” Chair: Anitha Saravanan, Northern Illinois University Co-Chair: Neil Singla, Lotus Clinical Research Learn more about this SIG Clinical and Translational Research More details about this SIG will be available soon Chair: Richard Harris, University of Michigan Co-Chair: Norman Kettner, Logan University Learn more about this SIG Complementary and Integrative Pain Management Engaging in meaningful conversation, self-reflection, collaboration, and information dissemination about diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism across the pain continuum and promote affirmative practices that address the needs and challenges faced by marginalized, minoritized, and diverse populations. Learn more about this SIG Diversity, Inclusions, and Anti-Racism in Pain Missions for this special interest group are coming! Chair: Jim Mooney, MD, CHOA Co-Chiar: Tom Norris, American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA) Learn more about this SIG Military and Veteran Pain Research Missions for this special interest group are coming! Chair: Suchita Karnati, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine Co-Chair: Wei Lei, PhD, Campbell University Learn more about this SIG Neuromodulation Missions for this special interest group are coming! Chair: Erin Young Co-Chair: Stephanie Puig Learn more about this SIG Omics and Pain Reducing pain burden through understanding the distribution and determinants of pain, promoting epidemiologic principles and methods in answering questions related to pain assessment, prevention and clinical care, collaboration with any individuals interested in population and clinical pain outcomes. Co-Chair: Yurun Cai, University of Pittsburgh Co-Chair: Titilola Falasinnu, PhD, Stanford University School of Medicine Learn more about this SIG Pain Epidemiology Missions for this special interest group are coming! Chair: Katherine Martucci, Duke University Co-Chair: Paul Geha, MD, University of Rochester Learn more about this SIG Pain Neuroimaging Advancing pain management across the lifespan by fostering innovative research and education collaborations coupled with promoting equitable and evidence-based pain management for older adults from all backgrounds. Chair: Kelly Naugle, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Co-Chair: Larissa Strath, University of Florida Learn more about this SIG Pain and Aging Reducing the burden of pain through scientific advances in movement and rehabilitation research. Our goal is to unite diverse perspectives of all stakeholders–scientists, clinicians, policymakers, patients, and patient advocates–to stimulate and support the study of pain and movement and to translate that knowledge into improved pain relief and function across multiple populations. Chair: Corey Woldenberg, DPT, DHSc, Washington University in St. Louis, Program in Physical Therapy Co-Chair: Learn more about this SIG Pain, Movement, and Rehabilitation Science Bring together diverse perspectives on pediatric pain science to directly improve both acute and chronic pain management for children through research, advocacy, and education. Chair: Shreela Palit, Nemours Children's Health Co-Chair: Cecelia Nelson, Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center Co-Chair: Robert Gibler, University of Kansas Medical Center Learn more about this SIG Pediatric Pain Improving the lives of people with pain by understanding the role of psychosocial factors and interventions in the pain experience. Chair: Taylor Taylor (Buchanan), University of Alabama at Birmingham Co-Chair: Samantha Meints, Brigham and Women's Hospital Learn more about this SIG Psychosocial Factors and Interventions Sharing and promoting scientific knowledge and understanding of the role of sex and/or gender on pain and pain management. Chair: Joyce T. Da Silva, University of Maryland Baltimore Co-Chair: Diana Goode, University of New England Learn more about this SIG Sex Differences in Pain and Analgesia Missions for this special interest group are coming! Co-Chair: Lakeya S. McGill, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Co-Chair: Keesha Roach, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Learn more about this SIG Sickle Cell Pain Understanding of how sleep and circadian disturbances affect pain processing, regulation, and chronic pain development. Chair: Chasity Brimeyer, Medical College of Wisconsin at Children's Wisconsin Co-Chair: Alec Owens, University of Alabama at Birmingham Learn more about this SIG Sleep and Pain The goal of the Substance use and Addiction SIG is to advance the understanding and treatment of substance use and pain. This will be accomplished by: 1) promoting and advancing research, 2) partnering with advocacy organizations to improve patient care, 3) providing education to researchers, clinicians, trainees, and patients, and 4) providing a forum for collaboration. Chair: Jennifer Nyland, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine Co-Chair: Antoinette Spector, University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee Learn more about these Chairs + Learn more about this SIG Substance Use and Addiction Special Interest Groups Our diverse array of specialized interest groups, each advancing the understanding and treatment within the many niche facets of pain research. Discover the collective expertise and passion driving innovation and progress in the field of pain science. Looking to join a SIG? A copy of the current financial statement of USASP is available by writing to admin@usasp.org or 7 Gladden Rd, Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Maryland Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401, (410) 974-5534. Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Representing scientists nationwide who collaboratively research, diagnose, and treat pain in the United States. Special Interest Groups ABOUT US Our diverse array of specialized interest groups, each advancing the understanding and treatment within the many niche facets of pain research. JOIN A SIG fMRI Methods Town Hall This event was an informative session on fMRI methods and the use of pain and sensory stimulation in the MRI scanner environment. The town hall featured presentations from leading experts, who shared practical knowledge that could be applied to research. Dr. Daniel Harper (Emory) shared insights on QST Labs and Medoc equipment, focusing on specific equipment models, their setup, and optimal use in the scanner environment. Drs. Dario Pfyffer and Merve Kaptan (Stanford University) discussed other modalities in the scanner environment, such as fully automated cold pressor, TS, and mechanical pressure pain. Dr. Arvina Grahl (Harvard University) provided insights on assessing responses to pain stimuli using pressure cuffs in a scanner. Dr. Massieh Moayedi (University of Toronto), an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Pain NeuroImaging, shared extensive knowledge on pain neuroimaging, incorporating multiple stimulation devices and brain imaging modalities. Neuromodulation Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Military and Veteran Pain Research Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Sickle Cell Pain Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Substance Use and Addiction The goal of the Substance use and Addiction SIG is to advance the understanding and treatment of substance use and pain. This will be accomplished by: 1) promoting and advancing research, 2) partnering with advocacy organizations to improve patient care, 3) providing education to researchers, clinicians, trainees, and patients, and 4) providing a forum for collaboration. Learn more about this SIG Sleep and Pain Understanding of how sleep and circadian disturbances affect pain processing, regulation, and chronic pain development. Learn more about this SIG Sex Differences in Pain and Analgesia Sharing and promoting scientific knowledge and understanding of the role of sex and/or gender on pain and pain management. Learn more about this SIG Psychosocial Factors and Interventions Improving the lives of people with pain by understanding the role of psychosocial factors and interventions in the pain experience. Learn more about this SIG Pediatric Pain Bring together diverse perspectives on pediatric pain science to directly improve both acute and chronic pain management for children through research, advocacy, and education. Learn more about this SIG Pain, Movement, and Rehabilitation Science Reducing the burden of pain through scientific advances in movement and rehabilitation research. Our goal is to unite diverse perspectives of all stakeholders–scientists, clinicians, policymakers, patients, and patient advocates–to stimulate and support the study of pain and movement and to translate that knowledge into improved pain relief and function across multiple populations. Learn more about this SIG Pain Neuroimaging Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Pain Epidemiology Reducing pain burden through understanding the distribution and determinants of pain, promoting epidemiologic principles and methods in answering questions related to pain assessment, prevention and clinical care, collaboration with any individuals interested in population and clinical pain outcomes. Learn more about this SIG Pain and Aging Advancing pain management across the lifespan by fostering innovative research and education collaborations coupled with promoting equitable and evidence-based pain management for older adults from all backgrounds. Learn more about this SIG Neuromodulation Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Military and Veteran Pain Research Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Sickle Cell Pain Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Substance Use and Addiction The goal of the Substance use and Addiction SIG is to advance the understanding and treatment of substance use and pain. This will be accomplished by: 1) promoting and advancing research, 2) partnering with advocacy organizations to improve patient care, 3) providing education to researchers, clinicians, trainees, and patients, and 4) providing a forum for collaboration. Learn more about this SIG Sleep and Pain Understanding of how sleep and circadian disturbances affect pain processing, regulation, and chronic pain development. Learn more about this SIG Sex Differences in Pain and Analgesia Sharing and promoting scientific knowledge and understanding of the role of sex and/or gender on pain and pain management. Learn more about this SIG Psychosocial Factors and Interventions Improving the lives of people with pain by understanding the role of psychosocial factors and interventions in the pain experience. Learn more about this SIG Pediatric Pain Bring together diverse perspectives on pediatric pain science to directly improve both acute and chronic pain management for children through research, advocacy, and education. Learn more about this SIG Pain, Movement, and Rehabilitation Science Reducing the burden of pain through scientific advances in movement and rehabilitation research. Our goal is to unite diverse perspectives of all stakeholders–scientists, clinicians, policymakers, patients, and patient advocates–to stimulate and support the study of pain and movement and to translate that knowledge into improved pain relief and function across multiple populations. Learn more about this SIG Pain Neuroimaging Missions for this special interest group are coming! Learn more about this SIG Pain Epidemiology Reducing pain burden through understanding the distribution and determinants of pain, promoting epidemiologic principles and methods in answering questions related to pain assessment, prevention and clinical care, collaboration with any individuals interested in population and clinical pain outcomes. Learn more about this SIG Pain and Aging Advancing pain management across the lifespan by fostering innovative research and education collaborations coupled with promoting equitable and evidence-based pain management for older adults from all backgrounds. Learn more about this SIG Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Our diverse array of specialized interest groups, each advancing the understanding and treatment within the many niche facets of pain research. Neuromodulation Chair: Suchita Karnati, University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine Co-Chair: Wei Lei, PhD, Campbell University Missions for this special interest group are coming! News and Past Events Login to SIG Portal Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

About the United States Association for the Study of Pain and the dedicated committees that drive its values. 2025 Scholars Julie Vignato University of Iowa/College of Nursing Assistant Professor Multimodal Treatments for Perinatal Pain Website: https://nursing.uiowa.edu/faculty-staff/faculty-directory/jvignato Caitlin Murray Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Department of Anethesiology and Pain Medicine Michael Lacagnina Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Kathryn Albers, PhD Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research Keela Herr, PhD University of Iowa Ru-Rong Ji, PhD Duke University Harrison Stratton University of Pittsburgh Michael Smith University of Michigan; Pharmacy Juyoung Park University of Arizona; Nursing Joao De Aquino, M.D. Yale University School of Medicine Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Pain–Addiction Cross-Talk: Human Laboratory and Behavioral Pharmacology Perspectives Website: https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/pain/ Anushree Karkhanis, PhD Binghamton University - SUNY Empire Innovation Associate Professor Adolescent alcohol and chronic pain impact on serotonin circuits Website: https://sites.google.com/view/karkhanislab 2024 Scholars Jennifer Gewandter University of Rochester Medical Center Monica Gremillion Medical College of Wisconsin Chantel Burkitt, PhD Gillette Children's Jennnifer S. De La Rosa Comprehensive Pain and Addiction Center Emily Wakefield Connecticut Children's Medical Center/University of Connecticut School of Medicine Sara N. Edmond, PhD Yale School of Medicine/VA Connecticut Healthcare System Assistant Professor Pain Services Evaluation Program Website: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/sara-edmond/ Rachel Aaron Johns Hopkins University Associate Professor Expanding Leadership in Affective Science and Chronic Pain Research Website: https://profiles.hopkinsmedicine.org/provider/rachel-v-aaron/2702366 Dale Langford Hospital for Special Surgery Alexandra Sideris Hospital for Special Surgery Lauren Harrison Stanford University School of Medicine De'Sha Wolf, PhD, MCR Portland State University Research Assistant Professor Stakeholder Engagement to Reduce Pain Disparities for Black Portlanders Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

About the United States Association for the Study of Pain and the dedicated committees that drive its values. Sean Mackey, MD, PhD Stanford University Daniela Menichella, MD, PhD Northwestern University Theodore Price, PhD University of Texas at Dallas Kathryn Albers, PhD Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research Keela Herr, PhD University of Iowa Ru-Rong Ji, PhD Duke University Steven Weisman, MD Children's Wisconsin Gary Walco, PhD University of Washington Robert Kerns, PhD Yale University Vitaly Napadow, PhD Harvard University Jennifer A. Haythornthwaite, MA, PhD Johns Hopkins University 2025 Fellows Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

Our diverse array of specialized interest groups, each advancing the understanding and treatment within the many niche facets of pain research. Pain Neuroimaging Chair: Katherine Martucci, Duke University Co-Chair: Paul Geha, MD, University of Rochester Missions for this special interest group are coming! News and Past Events Neuromodulation in Pain: Perspectives from Neuroimaging Studies On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the USASP Pain Neuroimaging Special Interest Group hosted a live 90-minute webinar focusing on neuromodulation in pain. We enjoyed hearing from 3 incredible clinician/scientist researchers about their work ranging from neuromodulation with implantable devices to non-invasive neuromodulation techniques as treatments for a variety of chronic pain conditions. Speakers & Topics: Vafi Salmasi, MD, MS (Stanford University): Neuromodulation with Implantable Devices Juliana Corlier, PhD (Univ of California Los Angeles): Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Neuropathic Pain and Headaches using Neuromodulation Anna Woodbury MD MSc (Emory University): Neuromodulation in Pain Listen to the recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l-heM293Ge3495s0lWlz2892QhM9HxIJ/view?usp=sharing View the videos from our SIG Webinar Summer 2025 – FMRI Methods Beyond the Cortex Here . Powerpoint Slides are here. On Wednesday July 30, 2025, the Pain Neuroimaging SIG held an engaging and informative session on fMRI methods beyond the cortex, with a focus on spinal cord imaging and integrated brain-spinal approaches. As interest grows in mapping the whole central nervous system, this session highlighted both methods-development and applications in pain neuroscience. Presentations from leading experts covered emerging techniques, technical considerations, and practical strategies for acquiring and analyzing high-quality data in these challenging regions—offering valuable insights for both new and experienced researchers. Speakers & Topics: · Dr. Kenneth Weber (Stanford University) : Introduction to cervical spinal cord fMRI methods · Dr. Gergely David (University of Zurich) : Advances in lumbar spinal cord imaging · Dr. Christine S.W. Law (Stanford University) : Combining brain and spinal cord imaging · Dr. Katherine Martucci (Duke University) : Applications of spinal cord imaging to chronic pain research fMRI Methods Town Hall – Everything you wanted to know about using pain & sensory stimulation in the MRI scanner environment This event was an informative session on fMRI methods and the use of pain and sensory stimulation in the MRI scanner environment. The town hall featured presentations from leading experts, who shared practical knowledge that could be applied to research. Dr. Daniel Harper (Emory) shared insights on QST Labs and Medoc equipment, focusing on specific equipment models, their setup, and optimal use in the scanner environment. Drs. Dario Pfyffer and Merve Kaptan (Stanford University) discussed other modalities in the scanner environment, such as fully automated cold pressor, TS, and mechanical pressure pain. Dr. Arvina Grahl (Harvard University) provided insights on assessing responses to pain stimuli using pressure cuffs in a scanner. Dr. Massieh Moayedi (University of Toronto), an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Pain NeuroImaging, shared extensive knowledge on pain neuroimaging, incorporating multiple stimulation devices and brain imaging modalities. Listen Here Join us to hear from Dr. Vince Calhoun (Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Emory) and Dr. Andrew Michael (Duke University). Dr. Vince Calhoun will cover the basics though advanced techniques for using functional connectivity and network neuroscience methods to analyze neuroimaging data, and Dr. Andrew Michael will provide a recently published example of applying these methods to pain research. An Introduction to Data-driven Functional (Network) Connectivity Speaker: Vince Calhoun, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, Director of Tri-institutional Center for Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science (TReNDS) at Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory Enhanced Motor Network Engagement during Reward Gain Anticipation in Fibromyalgia Speaker: Andrew Michael PhD, Director of Imaging Analytics and Informatics, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University Paper Details: Enhanced motor network engagement during reward gain anticipation in fibromyalgia. Park SH, Michael AM, Baker AK, Lei C, Martucci KT. Cortex. 2024 Apr;173:161-174. PMID: 38417389; PMCID: PMC10963137. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.12.017. Listen Here The Pain and Neuroimaging SIG will met on January 30th at 4pm ET . This meeting featured presentations from Dr. Etienne Vachon-Presseau and Dr. Adam Thomas, PhD. Information about both speakers and their presentations can be found below. Adam Thomas, PhD leads the Data Science and Sharing Team at the National Institute of Mental Health’s Intramural Research Program. The team mission is to support and advance the creation, distribution, and utilization of large, open datasets to accelerate discovery. The team provides tools and training to help scientists embrace open and reproducible science practices. This includes standardized; community recognized formats and repositories for data storage and dissemination, collaborative, version controlled tools for developing analysis code, and open distribution of all experimental methods and results to maximize impact and reproducibility. In this presentation Dr. Thomas will provide a brief overview of the past, present, and future of neuroimaging data sharing repositories as well as the challenges the field faces in achieving wide adoption of data sharing. Etienne Vachon-Presseau, PhD is an Assistant Professor and Faculty of Dentistry at McGill University. Title : New insights for chronic pain using large publicly available datasets. Substantial scientific progress has been observed due to publicly available large datasets. I will first discuss data-driven models applying machine learning algorithms on self-report questionnaires to derive a pain risk score predictive of different pain conditions, spreading of pain, medical conditions, use of opioids, disability, and other comorbidities. I will then provide specific examples of brain-based biomarkers derived in the UK Biobank for different pain conditions, insisting on the limitations of the approach for personalized medicine. Yet, I will still argue that brain-based biomarkers studied across a wide range of pain-related medical conditions are informative to better understand and characterize chronic pain syndromes. Listen Here Past SIG meeting - January 30th at 4pm ET (speaker bios ) Members can watch a recording of this meeting here . Review our January meeting with Adam Thomas and Etienne Vachon-Presseau here . Login to SIG Portal Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

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Call for nominations for the USASP Board of Directors, including Treasurer Nominate Our Incoming Board Vote for our incoming USASP Board of Directors, including our new President-Elect! Voting will be open from December 8th to 19th, 2025. VOTE HERE The USASP is looking to fill three director seats on the board of directors, as well as the treasurer. The USASP is committed to (1) transparency in the nomination and election process and (2) board membership that reflects the diversity of the membership of the USASP. Therefore, the USASP will accept nominees who meet the criteria for any of the seats described below. DEADLINE October 31st, 2025 Board Member and Officer Responsibilities Attend in-person board meeting at the Annual Scientific Meeting (2026 meeting in Philadelphia , board meeting to be held on March 23rd) Attend at least 2 virtual meetings (October/November and January/February) Participate in USASP committees (1-2) to provide feedback and updates to the board Participate in strategic planning Timely response to email discussions and responses to asks for voting, etc. General Eligibility Criteria for Open Positions: An active member of the USASP in good standing for one year minimum Recent experience serving on USASP committees or working groups An active member of the International Association for the Study of Pain President Elect Term: 4 years Oversees financial matters for the USASP including managing accounts, overseeing payments and deposits of all moneys and reporting to the Board and membership an account of the financial condition of the association. The Treasurer serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee and oversees the budgeting for the USASP each year. Eligibility Criteria: Mid- to Senior-career individual (Assoc./Full or Senior Scientist/Director) with demonstrated proficiency in financial management and budgeting. Board of Directors (three open positions)*: Term: Three years Directors on the Board provide advice to the President and guidance on issues brought to the USASP and support the Board’s decision-making process. Directors will serve concurrently on at least one other USASP Committee and/or Task Force as the liaison between the Committee/Task Force and the Board. The below criteria for open seats are defined based on the required characteristics to balance the experience and expertise on the Board. Seat 1: Mid- to Senior-career investigator (Assoc./Full or Senior Scientist/Director) whose primary designation** is Basic Research -Preclinical Seat 2: An individual from any career stage whose primary designation** is Clinical Care and/or Patient Advocacy Seat 3: An individual from any career stage whose primary designation** is Behavioral and Social Sciences or Population Health and Health Services **Primary Designation is how an individual’s career classification is self-identified on their USASP membership profile. Nominating Materials: Please indicate in your application materials which seat/position you would like to be considered for (e.g., Director Seat #1, Director Seat #2, etc.). The Nomination Committee will only consider a member for one seat/position on the ballot within an election year. The following materials will be required for a complete application: a Curriculum Vitae evidence that they meet the criteria listed above for a seat or position a one-page personal statement of why they would like to serve the USASP on the Board or as an Officer. Nominees are expected to include their experience and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. a picture to accompany their personal statement on the election and ballot material Nomination Process: Deadline for submissions: December 6, 2024 Please submit materials using the following link: Could be a button to “Submit Your Nomination Here” https://event.fourwaves.com/2025usaspelection/pages The Nominations Committee will review submitted materials, and applicants that meet the criteria for the position sought will be included on the ballot. At the USASP, we believe that diverse voices and approaches are required to address the substantial challenge and cost of reducing the burden of pain. We strive to entwine diverse perspectives into all aspects of our work, including our membership and leadership, our interactions with other professional organizations and the community, our educational activities and engagement with early career investigators, and our national role in advocating for improved pain relief. Therefore, the USASP will continue to support incorporating individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged/ underprivileged backgrounds to enhance our diversity, promote equity, and model an inclusive and accessible organization. View Current Officers and Directors remaining on the Board 2024-2025 Here Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar

An archive for previous editions of our monthly newsletter. Newsletter Archive Revisit the highlights of editions of our newsletters and explore the updates that have contributed to the growth and evolution of pain studies. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Upcoming Event Calendar Seattle, WA June 1, 2025 Seattle, WA January 1, 2025 Seattle, WA November 1, 2024 Seattle, WA June 1, 2024 Seattle, WA May 1, 2024 Seattle, WA January 1, 2024 Seattle, WA December 1, 2023 Seattle, WA November 1, 2023 Seattle, WA October 1, 2023 Seattle, WA September 1, 2023 Seattle, WA August 1, 2023 Seattle, WA July 1, 2023 Seattle, WA June 1, 2023 Seattle, WA May 1, 2023 Seattle, WA March 1, 2023 Seattle, WA February 1, 2023 Seattle, WA January 1, 2023 Seattle, WA December 1, 2022 Seattle, WA November 1, 2022 Seattle, WA October 1, 2022 Seattle, WA September 1, 2022 Seattle, WA August 1, 2022 Seattle, WA July 1, 2022 Seattle, WA June 1, 2022 Seattle, WA May 1, 2022 Seattle, WA April 1, 2022 Seattle, WA March 1, 2022 Seattle, WA February 1, 2022 Seattle, WA January 1, 2022 Seattle, WA December 1, 2021 Seattle, WA November 1, 2021 Seattle, WA July 1, 2025 Filter Newletter by Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Representing scientists nationwide who collaboratively research, diagnose, and treat pain in the United States.

Representing scientists nationwide who collaboratively research, diagnose, and treat pain in the United States.

April 29th to May 2nd in Chicago, IL. Be inspired and informed by our exceptional lineup of plenary speakers. 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting Register Now Save your spot at the 2025 USASP Annual Conference in Chicago, IL Secure your Stay Make the most of our event by securing your accommodations. Pre-Conference Workshops Attend the 2025 Pre-Conference Workshops on April 29th Awards and Grants Offering a range of awards and grants for outstanding contributions. Advancing Pain Research: Innovations to Enhance Care April 29 to May 2, 2025 in Chicago, IL In Person Registration Requests for cancellations must be done by April 1, 2025 View Abstract Supplement Conference Agenda Cameron Young Cameron is a college freshman who has experienced chronic pain for his entire life. In the past few years, he’s become an outspoken advocate for the disabled community, and he is very passionate about disability and LGBTQ rights and the intersections between them. Guided by his experiences as a disabled person and what he’s learned from years of advocacy within the disabled community, he is excited to speak at this conference and share what he’s learned with you all. Theodore Price, PhD Ted works at The Center for Advanced Pain Studies, UT Dallas and Ashbel Smith Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at University of Texas at Dallas where is the Director of the Center for Advanced Pain Studies. Ted did his PhD with Ken Hargreaves at UT Health San Antonio and his postdoc with Fernando Cervero at McGill. Ted started his independent lab in 2007 at University of Arizona and moved to UT Dallas in 2014. Ted’s lab’s goal is to identify molecular mechanisms causing chronic pain with emphasis on developing new drugs to treat pain. His lab’s focus is on human molecular neuroscience with specialization on dorsal root ganglion and spinal dorsal horn. Ted has published more than 200 peer reviewed studies, and has been continuously funded by NIH for more than 15 years. He is co-founder of many companies, including 4E Therapeutics. Beth Darnall, PhD Beth is a Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine and Director of the Stanford Pain Relief Innovations Lab. A psychologist-scientist, she leads NIH and PCORI-funded national studies that on scalable behavioral analgesic interventions and patient-centered opioid reduction. Her work centers on developing, investigating and disseminating solutions that offer more equitable access to evidence-based behavioral pain care for diverse and underserved populations. She created Empowered Relief® a 1-session group intervention that rapidly equips individuals with effective pain relief skills for acute, chronic, and post-surgical pain. Empowered Relief® is being delivered by certified instructors in 29 countries and in 8 languages. She has three times briefed the U.S. Congress and the FDA on patient-centered pain care and opioid stewardship. She is a scientific member of the NIH Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee, served on the CDC Opioid Workgroup (2021), is Chief Science Advisor for AppliedVR, and is author of four books for patients and clinicians. She has keynoted national pain society conferences in Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.K. In 2018 she spoke on the psychology of pain relief at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Stanford Faculty Profile and full CV: https://profiles.stanford.edu/beth-darnall Twitter: @bethdarnall Luana Colloca, MD, PhD Luana is a Power Distinguished Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and the Director of the Placebo Beyond Opinion Center at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Dr. Colloca holds an MD, a Master’s degree in Bioethics, and a PhD in Neuroscience. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and a senior research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, USA. Dr. Colloca has conducted studies on the behavioral, neural, and pharmacological mechanisms of pain modulation related to placebo and nocebo effects. Her lab has also developed an interest in virtual reality as a non-pharmacological approach to relieving pain and other symptoms. She has published in top-ranked international journals, including Biological Psychiatry, Annual Reviews of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Nature Reviews Rheumatology, Pain, Nature Neuroscience, JAMA, The Lancet Neurology, Science, and The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM). Her research has been cited over 19,200 times (H-index 64) and has been featured in National Geographic, The New Scientist, The Washington Post, Science Daily, The Boston Globe, The New Yorker, Nature, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and USA Today. Dr. Colloca has received the Dubner and Patrick Wall awards from the International Association for the Study of Pain and the UMB 2024 Researcher of the Year award, among others. She is committed to science dissemination, including podcasts (one with Jason Alexander of Seinfeld) and a TEDx talk. Plenary Speakers Discussing current information related to pain mechanisms, pain prevention an intervention, alongside other supporting topics. 2025 Sponsors Session A Monday, April 15th, 10:00-11:15 am Session B Monday, April 15th, 2:00 - 3:15 pm Session C Tuesday, April 16th 10:00- 11:15 am Session D Tuesday, April 16th 2:00 - 3:15 pm Research Poster Presentations Poster Session Assignments Specifications What are Rigor icons? Download Rigor Icons for my Poster Setup and Takedown Schedule Updated Essentials of Primary Care Pain Management OUR ACCREDITATION STATEMENT Sunday, April 14th, 2024 — $100USD Brett Stacey, MD (University of Washington) Scott Fishman, MD (University of California, Davis) Target pressing pain management topics with didactic presentations, in-person discussions, and demonstration sessions. The learner objectives include understanding effective evaluation and diagnosis of the patient in pain and implementing evidence-based treatment options for pain. This program will offer CMEs for eligible participants. In-person attendance only features complimentary coffee, lunch arrangements are at your discretion. VIEW AGENDA Optimizing Mentorship to Ensure a Bright Future for Pain Research Pre-Conference Workshop — Sunday, April 14th, 2024 — $100USD Dr. Roger Fillingim (University of Florida) and Dr. Tonya Palermo (Seattle Children’s) Mentorship is critical to the success, persistence, and satisfaction of trainees and early career investigators. In pain research specifically, workforce and lack of pipeline have been raised as limiting factors, particularly in clinical pain research. The intended audience includes early and mid-career faculty who are actively engaged in mentoring (or want to be) and are interested in optimizing their mentoring relationships. The co-facilitators have extensive experience in mentorship and mentor development across the spectrum of training from undergraduate students to early career faculty in pain science. The workshop will apply a facilitative learning process to promote interaction, discussion, and self-reflection. Attendees will leave with a set of tools and strategies they can implement to enhance their mentorship with pain research mentees. This program will offer CMEs for eligible participants. In-person attendance only features complimentary coffee, lunch arrangements are at your discretion. VIEW AGENDA 2024 USASP Early Career Forum and Lunch Forum — Sunday, April 14th — FREE The USASP’s annual information and networking session specifically designed for trainees and early-stage investigators (individuals who completed their training <5 years prior). The event will close with a reception open to all USASP Meeting registrants. The Early Career Forum is the perfect way to kick off the 2024 meeting – low-pressure networking with individuals who you’ll likely see at this meeting for years to come! In-person attendance only, free with registration. Please select this even when registering. VIEW AGENDA Explore our Full Conference Agenda Here Join us at the forefront of innovation as we collectively contribute to the evolving landscape of pain research. Workshops and Forums Leading pain experts, researchers, and practitioners covering a spectrum of topics, from the latest advancements in pain research to innovative approaches. THE FINE PRINT Refund requests for cancellations will not be accepted after Monday, March 31st, 2025. For any other requests, please contact us . 2025 Early Career Forum Join us at the 2025 USASP Early Career Forum, a dedicated pre-conference event on April 29th designed to support trainees (currently completing their degree) and early-career professionals. Note that junior faculty are considered early-career professionals and are strongly encouraged to participate in this event. LEARN MORE HERE Your Stay at The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE Getting Here The Radisson, Blu Aqua Hotel 221 N Columbus Dr Chicago, IL 60601 +1 312-638-6686 Our Conference Hotel Room Block Secure your accommodations within the conference hotel block. If you are booking outside of the site, use booking code LH72G7. If you are planning on attending and have not secured a hotel reservation, search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel. aRes Travel is a third-party travel planner. Rates, deposits, and cancellation policies may vary and are the responsibility of the guest. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or to the hotel directly. USASP Chicago 2025 aRes Link Parking at the Hotel Covered Parking Valet Parking Public Parking around the Hotel Local Recommendations Looking for things to do while you're in Chicago? Check out our local recommendations for great food, iconic sights, and hidden gems around the city. Virtual Attendance Symposia and plenary sessions will be streamed through Zoom, with select presentations being recorded. More information to come when we open virtual attendance closer to our meeting. Agenda Pre-Conference Workshops : April 29, 2025 Early Career Forum: April 29, 2025 Main Conference: April 30-May 2, 2025 Symposia Proposals Share your groundbreaking research and innovative ideas by submitting a proposal and contribute to the expansion of pain science. Submissions close on October 15, 2024 with accepted abstracts being notified in early December. LEARN MORE Poster Abstracts Showcase your research and engage in insightful conversations with members of the field. We encourage submissions on all aspects of pain research, including clinical and basic science. Submissions close on December 2, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST. VIEW ACCEPTED ABSTRACTS Symposia and Poster Abstracts Submission deadline has passed Annual Conference 2026 Registration Rates Plenary Speakers Submit Symposia and Abstracts Awards and Grants Education Calendar of Events Leadership Academy 'OUCH' Pain Podcast Newsletter Archive Previous Events About USASP About Us Our History See All Awards Here Committees and Taskforces Special Interest Groups Membership Member Login Become a Member Donate to USASP JOIN We are looking forward to connecting with you! Subscribe and Stay in the Know. Tue, Nov 25 Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD Stanford’s Pain Management Center invites applications for our Pain Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship, offering two tracks: · One-Year Clinical Fellowship (APA-accredited, 100% clinical) · Multi-Year Research Fellowship (80% research / 20% clinical) Fri, Dec 05 2026 USASP Meeting Poster Abstract Deadline / Online submission Learn more Online submission Tue, Dec 23 USASP Excellence in Engagement Award Nominations Due / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD We are pleased to announce the call for nominations for the inaugural Excellence in Engagement Award, which celebrates the powerful role of partnership in strengthening pain science. Fri, Jan 02 Deadline to Apply: Stanford Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pain Psychology / Location is TBD Learn More Location is TBD The deadline to apply is January 2nd, 2026. Load More Upcoming Event Calendar Awards for High Priority Early Career Investigators Designed to support trainees and young investigators from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds as they pursue careers in pain research and clinical practice. This scholarship provides an opportunity to attend the 2026 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting, where awardees can engage with leading experts, present their research, and participate in professional development sessions. LEARN MORE 2026 Travel Award Seize the opportunity to present your research and secure funding to present your innovations at our annual meeting. LEARN MORE USASP Fellows The highest class of membership within the US Association for the Study of Pain (USASP) — is an acknowledgment of outstanding and continuing work in the field of pain. LEARN MORE Gold-Haythornthwaite Lifetime Achievement Award Celebrating exceptional contributions to the realm of pain research and clinical practice. LEARN MORE Awards and Grants for our 2025 Annual Meeting SCD SIG Inaugural Pre-Conference Workshop The new USASP Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) SIG invites you to participate in a half day preconference workshop. Please join us for talks from established SCD investigators spanning basic, clinical and translational topics, an early career blitz, networking opportunities and science speed dating. Registration is required. A box lunch will be provided. MORE INFORMATION Empowering Pain Research: Leveraging PCORI for Funding and Stakeholder Engagement Join Drs. Mark Bicket and Erin Krebs for a unique pre-conference workshop to help our members learn about the funding process from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). "Empowering Pain Research: Leveraging PCORI for Funding and Stakeholder Engagement" is crafted specifically to help researchers including but not limited to mid-career and senior researchers unlock the full potential of their work to make a bigger impact in the field of pain management. MORE INFORMATION 2025 Updated Essentials of Primary Care Management Join pain management experts from the University of California Davis in a one-day CME course offered for physicians, NP/PAs, nurses, and other clinicians interested in education by expert faculty regarding the management of patients with complex pain conditions . The course will target pressing topics related to pain management with didactic presentations and in-person discussion and demonstration sessions. The learner objectives include understanding effective evaluation and diagnosis of the patient in pain as well as implementation of evidence-based treatment options for pain. This program offers up to 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits for eligible participants. MORE INFORMATION 2025 Pre-Conference Workshops