Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., recognized for Advancing Societal Well-being
Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., professor of health policy, is the inaugural recipient of the VCU ARIA – Excellence in Research for Advancing Societal Well-being.
VCU Annual Research Impact Awards (VCU-ARIA) recognize outstanding academic and scientific research achievements by faculty and postdoctoral fellows, celebrating discoveries, innovative research, and contributions to specific fields. These institutional awards are determined through a process that includes both self-nominations or nominations by others and committee selection to honor excellence in research, scholarship, and creative activity.
Barnes’ research intersects health policy and substance use, focusing on Medicaid policies to improve opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and informing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on tobacco regulation to achieve its public health mission.
“Being the inaugural recipient for this research award is deeply meaningful to me,” Barnes said. “I came to VCU almost 15 years ago with a vision to partner with state agencies here to leverage evidence to inform better, fairer policies. The extent to which even a small part of that dream has been achieved is due in large part to building relationships across government agencies, universities, and communities around a common purpose, to make positive changes in society.”
In 2016, Barnes’ research team, co-led by Peter Cunningham, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the Department of Health Policy, established a partnership with Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), Virginia’s Medicaid program. Together, they engaged Virginia Medicaid policymakers, members and providers to identify problems and provide actionable, evidence-based policy solutions. In 2025, this partnership became the VCU Office of Medicaid Evaluation, and Barnes was named director.
“As founding Director of the OME, Dr. Barnes has built an enduring state–university partnership with DMAS that is unmatched in the Commonwealth,” said Monica Swahn, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor and dean of the VCU School of Public Health. “Through his research, Dr. Barnes has illuminated complex policy processes, strengthened VCU’s research enterprise, and tangibly improved the lives of Virginians.”
In addition to Barnes’ impact on Medicaid research, he has contributed to scholarship in tobacco regulatory science, assisting state and federal policymakers predict intended and unintended consequences of tobacco-related legislation. Since tobacco products kill 480,000 U.S. adults and 10,000 Virginia adults every year, these efforts are critical to advancing public health. In all, Barnes has contributed to 50+ policy briefs and reports about Virginia, US, and international health policy priorities. He is a prolific researcher and a dedicated mentor.
“This award is well-deserved and is a testament to his many accomplishments and contributions to research at VCU,” said Cunningham. “Dr. Barnes thoroughly integrates his research with teaching and mentorship of Ph.D. students. Under his mentorship, they learn and reinforce research skills by participating in the analysis, and often lead specific project tasks.”
The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation hosted an award ceremony and luncheon for recipients and their families on Monday, April 27.
Categories Awards, Department news