Please join us in congratulating Karen Jakubowski, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who has received a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Medical Student Research Mentoring Merit Award. This prestigious award is presented to a Longitudinal Research Project (LRP) mentor of a graduating Pitt Med student in recognition for outstanding mentorship over the course of the LRP. Dr. Jakubowski’s research...

Abnormal tau phosphorylation is a key pathophysiological mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to genetic and environmental factors, infectious agents, such as Herpes Simplex Virus 1, may be associated with the onset or progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. However, outstanding questions remain regarding the contribution of viruses in the etiology of...

We are pleased to announce that Hader Mansour, MD, PhD, has been promoted to Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Mansour received his medical degree and PhD in psychiatric genetics from Mansoura University in Egypt, then came to the University of Pittsburgh for postdoctoral training. He serves as medical director of the Addiction Medicine Services Dual Diagnosis...

Please join us in congratulating Trevor Baker (Computer Programmer and Team Lead), who has received a 2024 UPMC Award for Commitment to Excellence in Service (ACES) for his outstanding work in the Department’s Office of Academic Computing. The prestigious ACES award, received by less than 1% of UPMC staff annually, honors individuals who routinely go above and beyond. Trevor’s nominators included the following...

Congratulations to David Yankura, MD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who has completed the UPMC Physician Leadership Essentials Program! Physician Leadership Essentials is designed to equip physician leaders with the skills necessary to successfully identify and leverage personal and team strengths, build community among physician leaders across UPMC, and monitor progress throughout their leadership journey...

Adolescence is a vulnerable period for externalizing behaviors (e.g., disruptive, rule-breaking behaviors including aggression, delinquency, or substance use) as the ability to self-regulate behaviors and emotions is still maturing. Impulsivity is a risk factor for externalizing behaviors, although the unique relationships between specific impulsivity facets and externalizing behavior development are unclear...

On March 27, 2025, Pitt Psychiatry clinician-educator faculty and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital (WPH) staff, residents, and clinical fellows gathered on the second floor of WPH for the Department’s annual Clinician Educator Showcase. Career Recognitions Department Chair David Lewis, MD, recognized career milestones and lifetime achievements of two faculty members. Ghennady Gushchin, MD, PhD, transitioned to...

Congratulations to David Brent, MD (Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Epidemiology, and Clinical and Translational Science and Endowed Chair in Suicide Studies), who has received the American College of Psychiatrists 2026 Award for Leadership in Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatry. The Award recognizes an individual who has made sustained and substantial contributions to child, adolescent...

Early adolescence is associated with major changes in sleep-circadian processes, which, combined with biopsychosocial factors, contribute to a decline in sleep duration. Insufficient sleep in childhood and adolescence is associated with future adverse cognitive and mental health outcomes including depression and anxiety. As part of a Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Grant, scientists from...

The Department of Psychiatry is delighted to announce results of the 2025 Residency Match for the General Psychiatry, Child, Triple Board, and Family Medicine/Psychiatry tracks. Please welcome the new class of 2025 PGY1 psychiatry residents: GENERAL PSYCHIATRY • Osasumwen Benjamin (Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University) • Sahar Delavari (Tehran University of Medical Sciences) • Sayna Matinrazm...