The Developmental Affective Neuroscience Symposium (DANS) presents recent translational research in developmental psychopathology. The 2023 DANS theme was “ Neurodevelopment of Regulatory Systems: A Focus on Emotions and Motivation,” featuring research focused on the development of neural networks and circuitries implicated in regulating or modulating neural response to emotionally or motivationally salient...

Foraging is a type of reward-guided behavior in which a decision is made by weighing potential rewards available in the current environment versus the cost of lost time traveling to a new environment. In other words, when the current setting is less rewarding than the average experience, it is optimal to leave and search for something that is likely to be better. Although striatal dopamine is key to this process...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to two new research faculty members: Ahmad Mayeli, PhD (Research Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) Dr. Mayeli received his PhD in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and completed postdoctoral research training in the Pitt Department of Psychiatry. As a postdoc, Dr. Mayeli’s research focused on unraveling the intricate neurobiology of...

Pitt Psychiatry extends a warm welcome to two new clinician-educator faculty members: Andrew Coulter, MD, MA (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry) Dr. Coulter received his MD from Temple University School of Medicine. He completed general adult psychiatry residency training and a consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, Dr. Coulter started the...

Congratulations to Heather Joseph, DO (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics), who received the inaugural YourMomCares Brilliance in Research Award. YourMomCares is a kids’ mental health nonprofit, founded by the moms of musicians, actors and athletes, to fund innovations in kids’ mental health and wellbeing. Candice Biernesser, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), and Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum, PhD...

The 70th annual meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), held in October 2023 highlighted and honored the innovative clinical and research achievements of Pitt Psychiatry faculty and trainees. AACAP Distinguished Fellows Heather Joseph, DO (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics), and Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics) were named...

We are pleased to announce that Leonardo D’Aiuto, PhD, has been promoted to Assistant Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. After earning his undergraduate degree in biological sciences, Dr. D’Aiuto received two fellowships in molecular cytogenetics at the Institute of Genetics in Bari, Italy. Upon receiving his PhD in molecular genetics and evolution at the University of Bari...

The Pascoal Lab (PI: Tharick Pascoal, MD, PhD; Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology) and colleagues have published recent research findings in Alzheimer's & Dementia and Nature Aging examining biomarkers and pathophysiological progression of Alzheimer's disease. “These two publications contribute to our understanding of the biomarkers and pathophysiological processes associated with the progression of...

Congratulations to Robert Howland, MD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry), who has been recognized with a 2023 Excellence in Patient Experience Award. Dr. Howland was honored at the 2023 Loren Roth Quality and Patient Safety Awards Celebration. The awards are based on patient ratings and are presented to top UPMC providers in recognition of their dedication to the population they serve and their compassionate care...

Congratulations to Antoine Douaihy, MD (Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine), who has been named a 2023 UPMC Grand Champion. The Grand Champion Award recognizes an individual who has provided unparalleled leadership in cultivating better communities. Dr. Douaihy is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on the treatment of substance use disorders and the use of motivational interviewing. Board...