Pitt Psychiatry
@psychiatry.pitt.edu
Pitt Psychiatry provides superb behavioral health services, innovative research & outstanding training. Named a US News & World Report Best Psychiatry Program | psychiatry.pitt.edu
Results of a recent study showed that hesitation--which gives humans and other animals crucial extra time to deliberate on the best option in uncertain situations--is mediated by indirect, but not direct, pathway neurons in the dorsomedial striatum. bit.ly/3YQnETG
January 21, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Results of a recent study showed that hesitation--which gives humans and other animals crucial extra time to deliberate on the best option in uncertain situations--is mediated by indirect, but not direct, pathway neurons in the dorsomedial striatum. bit.ly/3YQnETG
It is with deep sadness that we report that our friend and colleague, Kurt Ackerman, MD, PhD (Clinician Emeritus of Psychiatry), has passed away. Please read our memorial tribute on our website. bit.ly/4sUFbrE
January 20, 2026 at 5:35 PM
It is with deep sadness that we report that our friend and colleague, Kurt Ackerman, MD, PhD (Clinician Emeritus of Psychiatry), has passed away. Please read our memorial tribute on our website. bit.ly/4sUFbrE
Congrats to Leslie Horton, PhD, who has been promoted! Dr. Horton helped found and serves as director of the WPH Hope Team clinic, which specializes in interventions for young people at risk for psychosis. She conducts research focused on the mechanisms of risk for psychosis in youth. bit.ly/49Eh7QL
January 16, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Congrats to Leslie Horton, PhD, who has been promoted! Dr. Horton helped found and serves as director of the WPH Hope Team clinic, which specializes in interventions for young people at risk for psychosis. She conducts research focused on the mechanisms of risk for psychosis in youth. bit.ly/49Eh7QL
Dr. Karikari and Dr. Thurston are among 12 Health Sciences researchers invited to present their research in a lightning talk presentation on 1/14. Selected papers are recognized for providing deep biological or practice-changing insight. Congratulations! bit.ly/4qipsk6
January 13, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Dr. Karikari and Dr. Thurston are among 12 Health Sciences researchers invited to present their research in a lightning talk presentation on 1/14. Selected papers are recognized for providing deep biological or practice-changing insight. Congratulations! bit.ly/4qipsk6
Diseases of despair (DoD) in midlife adults and suicidal behavior in youths may be related, since in a recent study, having a parent with a DoD was associated with nearly double the hazard of a suicidal event in their offspring. bit.ly/4sDdG5t
January 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Diseases of despair (DoD) in midlife adults and suicidal behavior in youths may be related, since in a recent study, having a parent with a DoD was associated with nearly double the hazard of a suicidal event in their offspring. bit.ly/4sDdG5t
Congratulations to Angela Ianni, MD, DPhil, who has been selected for the Member in Training Award by the AAGP! Dr Ianni’s research focuses on the neural processes underlying suicidal behavior in late-life depression. bit.ly/4stLzpv
January 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Congratulations to Angela Ianni, MD, DPhil, who has been selected for the Member in Training Award by the AAGP! Dr Ianni’s research focuses on the neural processes underlying suicidal behavior in late-life depression. bit.ly/4stLzpv
CARRS focuses on risk factors for substance use disorders that emerge from the interaction of reward, cognitive control, circadian rhythms, and sleep, which show marked developmental changes during adolescence. The Center is led by Colleen McClung, PhD, and Daniel Buysse, MD. bit.ly/4bjlcwa
January 5, 2026 at 6:23 PM
CARRS focuses on risk factors for substance use disorders that emerge from the interaction of reward, cognitive control, circadian rhythms, and sleep, which show marked developmental changes during adolescence. The Center is led by Colleen McClung, PhD, and Daniel Buysse, MD. bit.ly/4bjlcwa
Lori Scott, PhD, led a study of whether stressors like social/targeted rejection are associated w/increased likelihood of suicidal ideation/behavior. Findings suggest that clinicians should ask about recent experiences of targeted rejection when assessing risk for suicidal behavior bit.ly/49bXoYv
December 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Lori Scott, PhD, led a study of whether stressors like social/targeted rejection are associated w/increased likelihood of suicidal ideation/behavior. Findings suggest that clinicians should ask about recent experiences of targeted rejection when assessing risk for suicidal behavior bit.ly/49bXoYv
In a paper published in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers reported regional specificity in dendritic spine alterations. These findings may help explain how both perceptual processing and higher-order cognitive functions are impaired in schizophrenia. bit.ly/4pPGTbA
December 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
In a paper published in JAMA Psychiatry, researchers reported regional specificity in dendritic spine alterations. These findings may help explain how both perceptual processing and higher-order cognitive functions are impaired in schizophrenia. bit.ly/4pPGTbA
The Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference presents clinical/research findings to psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, policy administrators & patients and families. The program includes art and & by individuals receiving treatment for schizophrenia at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital bit.ly/4s0p4YR
December 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
The Pittsburgh Schizophrenia Conference presents clinical/research findings to psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, policy administrators & patients and families. The program includes art and & by individuals receiving treatment for schizophrenia at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital bit.ly/4s0p4YR
Congratulations to Ann Cohen, PhD, who has been elected to the NIA National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Steering Committee! The NACC serves as the centralized data repository, collaboration, and communication hub for the NIA’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC) Program. bit.ly/49hIcKw
December 17, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Congratulations to Ann Cohen, PhD, who has been elected to the NIA National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Steering Committee! The NACC serves as the centralized data repository, collaboration, and communication hub for the NIA’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRC) Program. bit.ly/49hIcKw
Congratulations to Nermin Toukhy, PhD, who has received an International Academy of Suicide Research (IASR) Early Career Research Award for the biological studies of suicide. Learn more about Dr. Toukhy here: bit.ly/3KNoFYZ
December 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Congratulations to Nermin Toukhy, PhD, who has received an International Academy of Suicide Research (IASR) Early Career Research Award for the biological studies of suicide. Learn more about Dr. Toukhy here: bit.ly/3KNoFYZ
In JAMA Psychiatry, scientists including Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD, discuss the psychiatric and ethical concerns raised by care denial for transgender youth: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
December 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
In JAMA Psychiatry, scientists including Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD, discuss the psychiatric and ethical concerns raised by care denial for transgender youth: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Pitt Psychiatry investigators have recently published research studies on mental health in late life in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Nature Communications, and Neuropsychopharmacology. See more from Minjie Wu, PhD; Tharick Pascoal, MD, PhD; Helmet Karim, PhD; and Carmen Andreescu, MD: bit.ly/3KziYxR
December 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Pitt Psychiatry investigators have recently published research studies on mental health in late life in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Nature Communications, and Neuropsychopharmacology. See more from Minjie Wu, PhD; Tharick Pascoal, MD, PhD; Helmet Karim, PhD; and Carmen Andreescu, MD: bit.ly/3KziYxR
Scientists led by Carla Mazefsky, PhD, created the EASE Program to improve emotion dysregulation in autistic adolescents and young adults. They tested its efficacy this population, and found that EASE resulted in greater declines in emotion dysregulation than a comparison therapy. bit.ly/4rwF84t
December 2, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Scientists led by Carla Mazefsky, PhD, created the EASE Program to improve emotion dysregulation in autistic adolescents and young adults. They tested its efficacy this population, and found that EASE resulted in greater declines in emotion dysregulation than a comparison therapy. bit.ly/4rwF84t
At this year's AACAP meeting, Pitt Psychiatry news includes two faculty members who were recognized as distinguished fellows--Abigail Schlesinger, MD, and Rameshwari Tumuluru, MD--and residents received awards and honors: Alexis McCathern, MD, and Kalyan Tripathy, MD, PhD. More: bit.ly/4olzob5
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 PM
At this year's AACAP meeting, Pitt Psychiatry news includes two faculty members who were recognized as distinguished fellows--Abigail Schlesinger, MD, and Rameshwari Tumuluru, MD--and residents received awards and honors: Alexis McCathern, MD, and Kalyan Tripathy, MD, PhD. More: bit.ly/4olzob5
Congratulations to Abigail Schlesinger, MD, who has been promoted to Professor of Psychiatry! A child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Schlesinger is a recognized leader in the development of systems of care and provision of integrated behavioral health in primary care. bit.ly/4i9wPXT
November 20, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Congratulations to Abigail Schlesinger, MD, who has been promoted to Professor of Psychiatry! A child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Schlesinger is a recognized leader in the development of systems of care and provision of integrated behavioral health in primary care. bit.ly/4i9wPXT
Congratulations to Piper Carroll, MD, who has received the Gateway Medical Society 2025 Rising Star Award! The Award recognizes physicians who demonstrate consistent leadership and commitment to clinical excellence, community health & advocacy, and reducing health disparities. bit.ly/3X68mZY
November 18, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Congratulations to Piper Carroll, MD, who has received the Gateway Medical Society 2025 Rising Star Award! The Award recognizes physicians who demonstrate consistent leadership and commitment to clinical excellence, community health & advocacy, and reducing health disparities. bit.ly/3X68mZY
The journal Nature has named Thomas Karikari, PhD, one of three Rising Stars in Aging Research! Dr. Karikari is an internationally recognized expert in plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Read more here: bit.ly/3XukLa9
November 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The journal Nature has named Thomas Karikari, PhD, one of three Rising Stars in Aging Research! Dr. Karikari is an internationally recognized expert in plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease. Read more here: bit.ly/3XukLa9
Congratulations to Amy Byrd, PhD, who has received the 2025 YMC Shrink Tank Brilliance Award! Her project focuses on the development of a mobile intervention delivery tool to help parents of kids at risk for aggression to identify when to implement behavioral strategies in real time. bit.ly/4qXipyf
November 13, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Congratulations to Amy Byrd, PhD, who has received the 2025 YMC Shrink Tank Brilliance Award! Her project focuses on the development of a mobile intervention delivery tool to help parents of kids at risk for aggression to identify when to implement behavioral strategies in real time. bit.ly/4qXipyf
Congratulations to Rebecca Price, PhD, who has been promoted to Professor of Psychiatry! An expert in transformative approaches to the treatment of depression and suicide, Dr. Price's research focuses on how the mind processes information in anxiety, depression, and suicidality. bit.ly/481JkAq
November 12, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Congratulations to Rebecca Price, PhD, who has been promoted to Professor of Psychiatry! An expert in transformative approaches to the treatment of depression and suicide, Dr. Price's research focuses on how the mind processes information in anxiety, depression, and suicidality. bit.ly/481JkAq
Congratulations to Zachary Freyberg, MD, PhD, who has been honored with a University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Ascending Star Award! Dr. Freyberg’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cell signaling, particularly in the context of neuropsychiatric illnesses. bit.ly/3JxsC3E
November 11, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Congratulations to Zachary Freyberg, MD, PhD, who has been honored with a University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Ascending Star Award! Dr. Freyberg’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of cell signaling, particularly in the context of neuropsychiatric illnesses. bit.ly/3JxsC3E
"Dr. Garrett is an incredible resident who exemplifies professionalism and kindness. Throughout my Psychiatry Clerkship, Sydney demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and a consistent dedication to teaching." Congratulations to Sydney Garrett, MD, on your Professionalism Accolade! bit.ly/4huIPCW
October 29, 2025 at 1:39 PM
"Dr. Garrett is an incredible resident who exemplifies professionalism and kindness. Throughout my Psychiatry Clerkship, Sydney demonstrated exceptional clinical skills and a consistent dedication to teaching." Congratulations to Sydney Garrett, MD, on your Professionalism Accolade! bit.ly/4huIPCW
Priyanka Amin, MD, and Joe Zimmerman, MSN, are partners in innovating a culture of safety throughout UPMC Western Behavioral Health. Their collaboration has resulted in a transformational win: Results of a 2025 survey indicated that safety scores have improved across the board --> bit.ly/4oGLWKJ
October 24, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Priyanka Amin, MD, and Joe Zimmerman, MSN, are partners in innovating a culture of safety throughout UPMC Western Behavioral Health. Their collaboration has resulted in a transformational win: Results of a 2025 survey indicated that safety scores have improved across the board --> bit.ly/4oGLWKJ
Congratulations to Heather Joseph, DO, who has been named a UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh RK Mellon Institute Pediatric Research Scholar! Dr. Joseph's research focuses on the identification of early indicators of ADHD risk in infancy and early childhood. bit.ly/3L2C4fO
October 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Congratulations to Heather Joseph, DO, who has been named a UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh RK Mellon Institute Pediatric Research Scholar! Dr. Joseph's research focuses on the identification of early indicators of ADHD risk in infancy and early childhood. bit.ly/3L2C4fO