Research consistently demonstrates that common polymorphic variation in monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) moderates the influence of childhood maltreatment on later antisocial behavior in males, with growing evidence that the “risk” allele (high vs. low activity) differs in females. These findings underscore the need for continued research regarding this gene by environment interaction (GxE) in female samples. Moreover...

Rameshwari Tumuluru, MD was instrumental in developing and is Medical Director of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic’s (WPIC’s) Adolescent Acute Partial Hospitalization Program (AAPHP), as well as the program’s Afterschool Intensive Outpatient Program. She pioneered the Virtual School Consultation Initiative, which facilitates maintaining contact with patients’ schools during treatment. Dr. Tumuluru also is...

Gale A. Richardson, PhD focuses her research on the developmental effects of prenatal substance use, specifically focusing on prenatal cocaine exposure (PCE) and its long-term effects on offspring. She began this work more than 25 years ago with R29 and R01 funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and has continued to follow the study’s diverse cohort of women, whose offspring are now in their mid...

The critical role of Clinician-Educators (CEs) has continued to gain recognition within academic medical centers, and the responsibilities of CEs have increasingly become more complex. To help physicians navigate this complexity, the Department has established a programmatic approach that involves personalized career development to enable CEs to identify their talents, develop specific skill sets, and unleash their...

The Department of Psychiatry and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic are pleased to welcome the newest members of the Psychiatry Residency Program to our community. This year our residency program's stellar reputation attracted more than 1,600 applicants from the most prestigious medical schools in the country. New residents will enter one of our four training programs: General Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent...

Anne Germain, PhD is an internationally recognized pioneer and leader in clinical and translational sleep research in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Her research focuses on the pathophysiology, consequences, and treatments of sleep disturbances comorbid with chronic stress-related psychiatric disorders with a specific emphasis on PTSD in military populations. Dr. Germain’s work has led to improvements in the...

Residency training programs and fellowships at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital are renowned for their clinical and research excellence and ability to teach residents to critically evaluate both new and established approaches to assessment and treatment. As women’s mental health issues take the spotlight in recent years, women are acutely aware of what they need to do to advocate for and take care of themselves...

Following 44 years of distinguished service to the Department of Psychiatry and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Loren Roth, MD, MPH was recognized and awarded emeritus status at a special reception following the Department’s Annual Research Day held June 7. Dr. Roth is Associate Senior Vice Chancellor for Clinic Policy and Planning, Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh; Emeritus Distinguished...

Dean Salisbury, PhD is an international expert in the field of pathology and pathophysiology in early psychosis. His primary research focus is understanding the neurophysiological and MRI structural and functional measures of impaired sensation, perception, and basic memory function in psychosis to facilitate early identification of the disorder. He helped to change the conceptualization of schizophrenia as a...

The Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic Office of Residency Training is pleased to announce the 2018-2019 Chief Residents: Chief Resident, Inpatient Services: Alex Israel, MD Chief Resident, Ambulatory Services: Abigail Besch, MD Chief Residents, Child Fellowship and Triple Board: Allison Foroobar, MD and Sara Harmon, MD Chief Residents, Family Medicine/Psychiatry: Emily Cottrell, MD and Jiayun Lu, MD Chief...