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

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

"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

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

Big congratulations to Mariana Rieke, Kasey Godard, Cassidy Leasure, Scott Lewis, Bridget Leyland, and Alex Walters from the Department of Psychiatry Office of Grants and Contracts, who have been recognized by the Pitt Health Sciences Research Administration Office! bit.ly/4o2dXMN

Congratulations to Dr. Patrick Buckley, who recently received two prestigious UPMC awards! bit.ly/43jcs4g

One of our favorite events of the year! The Psychiatry Research Pathway Symposium provides UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital residents engaged in research the opportunity to present their work, learn from each other and faculty presenters, and gather for a post-symposium reception. bit.ly/474tq7O

Findings in a new study in Translational Psychiatry suggests that what adolescents’ brains are doing during reward processing, other than directly processing rewards, might interfere with treatment. bit.ly/4nDR9ma

Rui Peixoto, PhD, is an expert in developmental neuroscience and investigates abnormalities in cortical and striatal development associated with autism spectrum disorder. He is senior author of recent papers published in Cell Reports and Molecular Psychiatry. bit.ly/4gV8ioY

Pitt Psychiatry scientists have found that increased screen time in late childhood contributes to heightened depressive symptoms in early adolescence, with much of this effect mediated by shorter sleep duration and significant changes in brain white matter. bit.ly/4nJRBiv

Welcome to the faculty! Dr. Samaras provides care through UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital's geriatric services; Dr. Scott investigates the role of biological rhythms in psychiatric illness; and Dr. Tessier is a psychiatrist with WPH’s outpatient addiction medicine services. bit.ly/4683lp5

Hello from Pitt Psychiatry! We are thrilled to welcome our newest class of clinical psychology interns, Nicolas Camacho, Victoria Guazzelli Williamson, Rowan Hunt, John (Kai) Kellerman, and Claire Klein! Meet them here: bit.ly/3K36eih