We are delighted to welcome Benjamin Handen, PhD for our next Meet the PI Lecture on January 30, 2026.
Dr. Handen is Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Psychology, and Teaching, Learning and Leading at the University of Pittsburgh, and an internationally recognized leader in the study of autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. His early work focused on investigating the safety and efficacy of stimulant medication to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with intellectual disability. He subsequently conducted psychopharmacological research in the autism population, and has shaped how autism is treated in terms of both psychopharmacology and psychosocial intervention. Dr. Handen has led clinical trials that provided the first evidence for new treatment approaches in childhood autism, which included both pharmacological interventions and training programs for parents and caregivers. Dr. Handen’s research additionally incorporates neurobiological approaches to understanding biomarker changes related to the development of cognitive impairment among individuals with Down syndrome. Dr. Handen’s research has contributed to clinical care guidelines, and he is a recipient of the International Autism Coordinating Committee Top Autism Research Advances Award. He has led and co-led large and impactful studies, including the National Institute on Aging (NIA) Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Consortium–Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) U19 grant, focused on examining biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in adults with Down syndrome.
Join us in the UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital auditorium or via Zoom using the information below for this hybrid event:
Link: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/97434197924
Passcode: 018162
For More Information. Please contact Shardai Key Ward at keysj4@upmc.edu.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS. The entirety of this program will be a lecture by the speaker(s). All individuals able to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with any proprietary entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services, used on, or consumed by, patients. Registration is not required for this event. This event is free and there will be no refunds. The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Each physician should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Other health care professionals are awarded .15 continuing education units (CEUs), which are equal to 1.5 contact hours. In accordance with Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education requirements on disclosure, information about relationships of presenters with commercial interests (if any) will be included in materials which will be distributed at the time of the conference. WPH is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. WPH maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. This program is being offered for 1.5 continuing education credits. The indicated number of clock hours of continuing education is provided through UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital’s Office of Educational Resources and Planning, a PA-approved provider of social work continuing education in accordance with all the applicable educational and professional standards of the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapist. These clock hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LPC and LMFT renewal. For more information, call (412) 204-9085.
