The University of Vermont (UVM) has awarded the prestigious University Scholars Award for the 2026-2027 academic year to Stacey Sigmon, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry in the Larner College of Medicine.

Selected in the Basic and Applied Sciences category, Dr. Sigmon is recognized for her sustained excellence in research and her profound contributions to behavioral pharmacology and addiction science. Co-sponsored by the Provost and the Graduate College, the University Scholars program honors faculty who have demonstrated exceptional, internationally recognized longevity of scholarship. As part of this honor, her name will be permanently displayed on a commemorative plaque in the university's Waterman building.

A Celebrated Career in Addiction Science

Dr. Sigmon is a tenured professor and core researcher with the Vermont Center on Behavior and Health. Her academic footprint includes more than 120 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet, earning an H-index of 36 and over 4,000 citations.

Throughout her career, Dr. Sigmon has secured substantial external support, serving as a recipient of multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards, including R01, R03, and R34 grants. Her professional leadership spans major national organizations, including extensive service to the American Psychological Association (APA) and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), where she is an elected fellow and director.

Bridging Research and Public Health Impact

Beyond her academic achievements, Dr. Sigmon channels her research directly into public health initiatives that impact Vermont and the nation. For over 15 years, she has directed the Chittenden Clinic, Vermont’s first and largest opioid treatment clinic, overseeing 60 staff members providing care to more than 1,000 patients.

Dr. Sigmon is also the Principal Investigator for the UVM Center on Rural Addiction (CORA). Under her leadership, CORA has grown into one of only three federal Rural Centers of Excellence on Substance Use Disorders. The center's national reach has supported over 35,000 rural healthcare providers across all 50 states to strengthen the frontline response to substance use.

Read more about the UVM University Scholars Program and the AY 2026-2027 awarded recipients.