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 Pictured: APPs in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, including Valisia Davis, DNP, CRNP, PMHS, PNP-BC, APP Supervisor; Leah Pickett, DNP, CRNP, APP Manager; Richard M. Hall, MSPAS, PA-C; Andrea "Cassidy" James Sharma, CRNP, FPMHNP-BC; Christine Fowler, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Amy Britton, FNP-C, ACNP; Sabah Angeles, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Aimee Morrison, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC; Not pictured: Bentley Adams, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Gwendolyn Allen, MSN, FNP-C; Jessica Skarda, MSN, PMHNP-BC; Donna Williams, MSN, PMHNP-BC.

In the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are on the front lines of patient care, working in a capacity similar to physicians across a diverse range of clinical settings.

Adrienne Lahti, M.D., Heman E. Drummond Professor and Chair of the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, along with Junghee Lee, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry & Neurobiology and Geropsychiatry Research Chair, and Nina Kraguljac, M.D., M.A., former UAB employee in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology and professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Ohio State University, have been awarded a $5.3 million National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant titled "Multidimensional aging trajectories in mid to late-life psychosis (MAP)."

The joyous holiday season, celebrated with gatherings and festive activities, frequently transitions into a challenging period for many individuals. Post-holiday blues, characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue, and disappointment, can cast a shadow on the start of the new year. However, by acknowledging and confronting these emotions, individuals can enter the new year filled with renewed purpose and well-being.

Lillian Brady, Ph.D., has received a 2023 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant for her study, “Estradiol regulation of dopamine release dynamics through subunit-specific nicotinic receptor activation underlying sex-specific behavior.”

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) poses a significant challenge for individuals battling persistent depressive symptoms.

Despite multiple trials of traditional antidepressant medications, up to 40 percent of patients fail to achieve remission.

However, a ray of hope has emerged in the form of esketamine, a novel treatment that has garnered attention for its unique mechanism of action and promising results in cases of TRD.

Shinichi Kano, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, has been named 2023 Allen Distinguished Investigator for his research study titled "Blood-brain barrier communication via extracellular vesicles underlying brain function and behavior." 

The UAB Department of Psychiatry is proud to introduce the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Interest Group (CAPIG), a dynamic new student organization that aims to shape the future of psychiatry training.

CAPIG is committed to fostering professional development, cultivating a pipeline program and interest in child and adolescent psychiatry, and building connections among students, residents, fellows, and faculty mentors.

Kirsten Schoonover, Ph.D., has been approved for a 2023 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant for her study, "Zinc-Mediated Hypoactivity Of Layer 3 Pyramidal Neurons In Postmortem Schizophrenia Tissue: Implications For Working Memory."

Karen Cropsey, Psy.D. (left) and Karen Gamble, Ph.D. (right)

Karen Cropsey, Psy.D., and Karen Gamble, Ph.D., professors in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, have received a new grant totaling $4.4 million over a 4-year period to support their study “Medications for opioid use disorder differentially modulate intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell function, sleep, and circadian rhythms: implications for treatment.”

World Mental Health Day is observed on Oct. 10 each year, dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues worldwide.

This day serves as a reminder that our mental well-being is just as important as our physical health, and it calls upon individuals, communities, and nations to take collective action to address the mental health needs of our global population.

Adrienne Lahti, M.D., Yogesh Dwivedi, Ph.D. Adrienne Lahti, M.D., Heman E. Drummond Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, as well as Co-Director of the Alabama Advanced Imaging Consortium, along with Yogesh Dwivedi, Ph.D., Elesabeth Ridgely Shook Professor and Director of the Division of Behavioral Neurobiology, have been awarded the T32 grant titled "Predoctoral Training in a Multifaceted Translational Approach to Mental Illness (AMI)."

Substance abuse and addiction are pressing issues that affect individuals and communities worldwide.To combat these challenges, the Department of Psychiatry has undertaken remarkable efforts to raise awareness, provide support, and conduct research.

Let's explore some of the noteworthy initiatives aimed at addressing substance abuse and addiction.

S. Justin Thomas, Ph.D., DBSM, FSBSM, assistant professor in the department of Psychiatry, has been elected as the 2024 President of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM). His extensive qualifications include being board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine (DBSM) and holding the position of Director of the UAB Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic and Training Program.

Michael A. Owens, Ph.D., graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Anthropology, and Spanish from the University of Alabama in 2010 and went on to earn his Ph.D. in Clinical/Medical Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020.

Kirsten E. Schoonover, Ph.D., joins UAB Psychiatry as an assistant professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Medicine and associate director of the Alabama Brain Bank.

Every year, Suicide Prevention Month serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of fostering mental health and reaching out to those in need.

The month of September is dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and providing support to individuals who have lived experiences of suicide, suicide attempt survivors, and individuals who have experienced a suicide death loss.

In a remarkable event this July, the UAB Psychiatry Education Awards Ceremony put a spotlight on the exceptional residents, fellows, and teaching faculty within the field of psychiatry. This annual ceremony served as a platform to honor their remarkable contributions and dedication.

The ceremony recognized the excellence displayed by residents who have demonstrated exceptional clinical skills, research accomplishments, and patient care. Their ability to blend theoretical knowledge with practical application has set new standards in the field.

Do you feel disappointed as the weekend ends, knowing that your precious "me time" is slipping away? You may be experiencing what most describe as “Monday Blues” or “Sunday Scaries.”

The UAB communications team sat with Matthew Macaluso, D.O., Bee McWane Reid Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, to share valuable advice on alleviating the anxiety often associated with Monday Blues or Sunday Scaries.

As the end of summer break draws near, it can cause increased student stress and anxiety. The upcoming changes in routine, academic pressure, and social dynamics that come with starting a new school year can create unease and anticipation for students during this transition period.

The UAB communications team interviewed Maggie Canter, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, to share valuable tips to help reduce the stress associated with the back-to-school period.

S. Justin Thomas, Ph.D., FSBSM, assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program, and co-director of Sleep and Circadian Research Core (SCRC), was awarded a $2.8 million RO1 research grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.