Project Mentor
Calhoun Cardiology Center, Division of Behavioral Health
Undergraduate Research Opportunity Description
| Project Description | The Contingency Management for Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder in Connecticut (“CM in CT”) Program is a Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)-led and Opioid Settlement-funded initiative to pilot integrating contingency management treatment for stimulant use disorder into clinical care at five substance use disorder treatment programs serving adults throughout the state of Connecticut. Contingency Management (CM) is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention in which tangible reinforcers are provided to clients for meeting an objective goal for an incentivized behavior. Continency Management is the most effective treatment available for stimulant use disorders, substances for which there are no FDA-approved medications nor overdose reversal medications, with demonstrated effectiveness in increasing rates of abstinence and treatment retention. Cocaine, a common stimulant in CT, is often found in substance combinations for overdose in CT. Stimulant users are at times unaware of opioids in their drug supply and thus are at risk for opioid overdose. Black individuals are disproportionately impacted by overdose deaths involving cocaine in CT. Contingency management has also been demonstrated to be effective as an adjunct to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). In the CM in CT Program, Dr. Alessi (UConn Health) leads Training and Technical Assistance and implementation oversight and evaluation (contract #25MHA5025). The student intern would have the opportunity to learn about the science of contingency management for stimulant use disorder, train and then participate in implementation training and fidelity monitoring and contribute to data collection and evaluation activities that occur during the internship period. |
| Project Direction | The student intern will primarily work on the quality improvement treatment implementation project that Dr. Alessi/UCH is contracted with DMHAS to executive (referenced above), with activities focused on training and technical assistance around implementation of the behavioral intervention (contingency management) into clinical care, with ongoing fidelity monitoring and evaluation activities. |
| Mentorship and Supervision | Dr. Alessi will meet with the student weekly for individual supervision on program related tasks and professional development. In addition, Project Coordinate, Sean Sierra, will work closely with the student on program-specific tasks. |
| Student Qualifications | Required:
Applicants from populations underrepresented in science are strongly encouraged to apply. |
| Summer Schedule Options | Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Project Continuation | Fall 2026, Spring 2027 |
| Academic Year Time Commitment | 3, 6 hours/week |
| Possible Thesis Project | Yes |
Application
Submit an online application for this research opportunity at https://quest.uconn.edu/prog/HRPSU26-2. The application deadline is Monday, February 16, 2026.
This application requires a cover letter, resume or CV, unofficial transcript, GPA, a brief statement of research interests, and a brief statement of career interests. References should be available upon request.