Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum, PhD, Honored as an Association for Psychological Science Rising Star
Congratulations to Rachel Vaughn-Coaxum, PhD (Assistant Professor of Psychiatry), who has been named a Rising Star in the Association for Psychological Science (APS)!
Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum studies how childhood adversity can influence depression treatment response. Her research has shown that for some adolescents, childhood adversity can be associated with the employment of ineffective stress-management strategies. Additionally, in her clinical work, Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum has observed that for many young, depressed patients who experience prolonged adversity, disruption of their daily lives can cause them to be less likely than other patients to remember or practice skills learned in prior sessions. As principal investigator of a National Institute of Mental Health K23 award, Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum examines how childhood adversity may increase risk for treatment non-response. She aims to identify the biobehavioral domains of deficits that underlie this risk, with the long-term goal of enhancing the effectiveness of interventions for depression among young people who have experienced adversity.
“Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum’s program of research focused on mechanisms whereby adversity negatively impacts outcomes for depressed youth, and specifically treatment response, has great promise for broad impact,” said Tina Goldstein, PhD (Pittsburgh Foundation Endowed Professor in Psychiatry Research and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology). “Beyond her thoughtful approach to conducting impactful clinical science in this understudied area, Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum is an absolute standout for her strong commitment to underserved youth, genuine empathy and clinical skill, and grace in the face of extraordinary challenges. This award is incredibly well deserved, as Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum undoubtedly represents the best and brightest of the future of clinical psychological science!”
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Vaughn-Coaxum!