American Psychological Association Division 50
Welcome to the Spring 2026 SoAP Box Newsletter. Many thanks to those who submitted columns, and to my student editor, Kianna Csölle, for her valuable assistance in helping to publish this issue.
We begin this issue with a president’s column from the new APA Division 50 President, Dr. Noah Emery. Dr. Emery opens with an exploration of what the Society of Addiction Psychology has been jointly creating. Dr. Emery discusses the annual Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction Conference in Kansas City and highlights the 2026 CPA theme, keynote speakers, and student and early career grant awardees. Dr. Emery then looks ahead to the APA conference in Washington, D. C., highlighting several SoAP initiatives and sessions that will be presented there. Dr. Emery closes with a commendation on the society’s commitment to connection and to continued work improving the lives of those we aim to serve.
The following portions of the newsletter are dedicated to spotlighting former SoAP student representatives in several “where are they now” interviews. Many thanks to Dr. Julie Cristello for creating this initiative.
Our first “where are they now” features Dr. Tessa Frohe, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. Dr. Frohe’s research interests focus on motivating factors that underlie substance use and creating digital health interventions. Dr. Frohe explains how personal loss shaped her interest in the field, and how her initial involvement with SoAP as a student representative led to a deeper commitment to involvement in Division 50 and to meeting individuals who became long-term collaborators. Dr. Frohe provides suggestions for students interested in getting more involved in the field, highlighting the usefulness of Division 50 in making personal and professional connections.
Our final column and second “where are they now” features Dr. Laura Lesnewich, a Health Science Specialist (Investigator) at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC) in New Jersey. Dr. Lesnewich explains the valuable work that she does at the WRIISC, which focuses on improving the health care experiences of Veterans. She explains how involvement in Division 50 resulted in personal friendships and collaborators, as well as translatable grant writing and grant review skills. Dr. Lesnewich concludes by encouraging students to get involved in SoAP and highlights the welcoming nature of everyone in the Division.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to this season’s newsletter. Looking ahead to the Summer 2026 issue and beyond, I welcome anyone from our membership to contribute a piece or to provide suggestions for content. This includes content that fits within our established structure, as well as new ideas for standalone or recurring columns. Please submit any content for the Summer 2026 issue to me (s.weinsztok@rutgers.edu) by Friday, July 17, 2026.
Resources are available for those struggling with addiction and numerous effective treatments exist. Whether you are looking for help for yourself or a loved one, we encourage you to seek out help.