Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative

Nawshin Ahmed is a senior associate with Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative. She works with states to identify and advance solutions that enhance access to treatment for substance use disorder. Before joining Pew, Ahmed served as a senior policy analyst for the National Governors Association and a project coordinator at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Ahmed holds a bachelor’s degree in public health from the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and master’s degrees in public health from the State University of New York at Albany and in business administration from Stony Brook University.

Vanessa Baaklini leads and supports original research projects and develops publications on effective treatment for opioid use disorder. Before joining Pew, she worked on implementing and evaluating substance use prevention initiatives in health care settings. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the American University of Beirut and a master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University.

Camille Clark is an associate I with Pew’s substance use and prevention initiative. She is a member of a research team that conducts original research and provides analyses on treatment for substance use disorders to inform state and federal policy work. Before coming to Pew, Clark worked with research consulting organizations to improve behavioral and mental health policy within the DC metro area. Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in public health science from the University of Maryland.

Marcelo H. Fernández-Viña conducts law and policy analysis and research on access to substance use treatment, telehealth for substance use treatment, and other emerging issues related to public health and substance use. He previously worked for Temple University’s Center for Public Health Law Research and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Fernández-Viña holds a bachelor’s degree in cell biology and molecular genetics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Juris Doctor and a master’s degree in public health from Drexel University.

Rose Ippolito is an associate with Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative. She is a member of the technical assistance team that partners with states to implement improvements to their substance use treatment systems. Before coming to Pew, Ippolito worked on the policy team at the Society for Research in Child Development and interned with the Cornell Cooperative Extension to support families affected by the opioid epidemic. Ippolito holds a bachelor’s degree in public health with a minor in inequality studies from Cornell University.

Christopher Lipson is a manager with Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative. He helps to provide states with technical assistance in developing policy solutions to expand access to substance use treatment and reduce overdose deaths. Previously, Lipson was a director of state government affairs and advocacy for the American Diabetes Association, where he developed legislative and grassroots strategies in the fight to prevent and cure diabetes and support those living with the disease. Lipson holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a master’s in applied American politics and policy, both from Florida State University.

Ryan Ruffin-Hawthorn is an associate I with Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative and suicide risk reduction project. Before coming to Pew, Ruffin-Hawthorn worked for Dispute Resolutions as a court-appointed civil mediator. He has more than five years of combined research and legal policy experience at the local, state, and national levels. Ruffin-Hawthorn holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Texas Tech University, a master’s degree in counterterrorism and homeland security policy from American University, and is working toward a master’s in public administration and public policy from American University.

Andrew Whitacre is an officer with Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative. He is a member of a policy team that partners with states to advance reforms that expand access to effective treatment for opioid use disorders. Before coming to Pew, he worked on building healthier counties at the National Association of Counties and supporting state leaders on substance use disorders at the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in American government from Georgetown University.

Glenn Wright is a manager with Pew’s substance use prevention and treatment initiative. He leads a team that helps states to identify and advance solutions that enhance access to substance use disorder treatment. Before joining the initiative, he advised other Pew teams in developing state-based strategies to expand access to dental care and advance evidence-based decision-making by states and counties. Wright holds a bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in West Virginia and a master’s in public policy from George Mason University.