Dr. Ralph Hingson is currently the Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He is also a professor in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at the Boston University School of Public Health. His recent publications have examined the magnitude of morbidity and mortality associated with drinking by U.S. college students ages 18-24, the use of comprehensive community/college programs to reduce these problems, and a background chapter on the social and health consequences of underage drinking for the National Academy of Sciences Report to Congress on that issue.

In recognition of his research contributions, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation honored Dr. Hingson in 2001 with its Innovators Combating Substance Abuse Award. In 2002, he received the Widmark Award, the highest award bestowed by the International Council on Alcohol Drugs and Traffic Safety, of which he is currently President-Elect. In 2003, Mothers Against Drunk Driving instituted the Ralph W. Hingson Research in Practice Annual Presidential Award, with Dr. Hingson honored as its first recipient.