Each year, Pitt Psychiatry faculty, postdocs and students attend the annual meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry. This year, the conference provided researchers with a chance to network and learn from their colleagues on topics related to innovations in clinical neuroscience. Below are some highlights from the 74th annual scientific convention in Chicago, IL.

Congratulations to Professor of Psychiatry Holly Swartz, MD, who has won the 2019 Gerald L. Klerman Senior Investigator Award, presented by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). The Gerald L. Klerman Award is the DBSA’s highest honor, recognizing researchers whose work advances knowledge of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of depression and bipolar disorder. Dr. Swartz’s research interests include...

Examining brain development and changes in connectivity during adolescence is critical to developing a deeper understanding of psychosis spectrum disorders, which often emerge during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The amygdala, a key brain region associated with emotion regulation processes that undergo significant changes during adolescence, is closely linked with psychosis. It is possible to...

Congratulations to Zach Freyberg, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Cell Biology, who has received the A.E. Bennett Research Award at the annual meeting of the Society of Biological Psychiatry. The A.E. Bennett Award recognizes the achievements of young investigators in biological psychiatry. Dr. Freyberg’s research examines the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia and the clinical efficacy of the...

How do Department of Psychiatry faculty support medical students who are interested in psychiatry? On May 9, the Department of Psychiatry Office of Medical School Education hosted Psychiatry Specialty Night, an annual event when medical students can meet and mingle with faculty to learn more about choosing a career in psychiatry. This year, the event began with an enthusiastic welcome from Dr. Jody Glance...

Don't forget to register for the 19th Annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day, which will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the University Club on the Oakland campus. This full-day event provides an excellent opportunity for attendees to meet investigators, learn more about their work, and share their expertise and interests with other members of the research community. This year Research Day will...

Congratulations to Dr. Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, Professor of Psychiatry and Human Genetics… and now, Associate Chief of Staff for Behavioral Health at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System! Dr. Nimgaonkar assumes his new role today, May 13, 2019. Dr. Nimgaonkar is the director of the Program for Genetics and Psychoses, where he seeks to identify genetic and environmental factors that can increase the risk for...

We are delighted to announce that Elizabeth Venditti, PhD, has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Psychiatry by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Venditti earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and completed her clinical psychology internship at New York University-Bellevue. After a successful early career in private practice, she joined the...

This paper was published in Child Maltreatment, the official publication of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and was recently named Child Maltreatment Article of the Year for 2018. Children who experience physical abuse or harsh physical discipline are particularly vulnerable to adverse mental health outcomes such as trauma symptoms, aggression, interpersonal problems, substance use and...

We are delighted to announce that Meryl Butters, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Translational Science won the Philip Troen, MD, Excellence in Medical Student Research Mentoring Award at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine annual Scholars Day. This prestigious award is presented to a Longitudinal Research Project (LRP) mentor of a graduating Pitt Med student in recognition for outstanding...