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Dear Faculty, Trainees, and Staff,
We saw an enormous show of talent and hard work on Research Day, June 5, where 17 staff and faculty members, along with 51 trainees including residents, psychology interns, post-doc fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, and even one precocious high school student presented their findings.
This is our Department’s third Research Day since we expanded the categories for entry to present research posters in 2023. As intended, the result has been a show of force in medical research and care delivery!
I want to personally congratulate our four poster award winners: Peter MacIver, H M.A., winner for Best Quality Improvement Presentation, Alice Mullins, M. Ed., winner for Best Observational Study Presentation, Musa Iyiola Ajibola, PhD, winner for the Best Preclinical Presentation, and Sarah Milrad, PhD, winner for Best Clinical Presentation. Congratulations also to Sonja Xie, the participating high school student and winner of the Special Recognition Award.
| | Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Sarah Clark, Dr. Deanna Kelly, Dr. Jill RachBeisel, Sonja Xie, Dr. Anique Forrester, Peter MacIver, H M.A., Alice Mullins, M. Ed., Musa Iyiola Ajibola, PhD, and Sarah Milrad, PhD. | | |
In the spirit of Research Day, I also want to highlight the incredible work that our Department has done in securing grants to fund our ambitious research projects, even in the face of a challenging landscape of federal and state budget cuts. We have continued to find new avenues to apply for research funding such as Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Bank of America, the Spencer Foundation, Ravens Foundation, the Huo Family Foundation, the Meyerhoff Foundation, and the Center for Disease Control, to name a few.
Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Edwards and Dr. Eric Weintraub on being awarded two grants totaling $9 million between them, as well as Dr. Robert Buchanan, Dr. Deanna Kelly, and Dr. Joshua Chiappelli, for securing nearly $10 million in funding for client transportation, clinic supplies, participant trainings, data storage fees, salaries, a cutting-edge web-based platform, and more!
Each month, I’ve asked every faculty member of our Department to submit any impactful articles and research findings that have been published in recent months. A reminder to please send anything you’d like featured to Will Dahl for inclusion in this letter as well as exposure on our social media channels!
Thanks to everyone for your hard work and dedication in serving our community, be it our academic community, our students and residents, or our patients!
Respectfully recognizing all,
Jill A. RachBeisel, MD
Dr. Irving J. Taylor Professor and Chair, Department
of Psychiatry
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Dr. Seth Ament was recently granted a 2025 TEDCO award from The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, which is focused on identifying and fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine in Maryland. His project is titled "Convergent Effects of Genetic and Inflammatory Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders on the Development of Human Purkinje Cells." Seth has a joint appointment at MPRC and IGS and is collaborating with many in the Department.
Seth has been integral to opening opportunities and integrating domains of science we would otherwise not flourish in. Molecular, transcriptome and biome genetics with the important synthesis into systems biology are now a part of our capacity in the Department, in large part thanks to Seth’s willingness to join in tackling complex problems in mental health.
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Avanika Dave has joined the Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry as the new Division Business Manager. Avanika has been a dedicated UMB employee for 14 years, bringing a wealth of experience from various areas across the university.
She previously served as the Business Manager for the Division of Gerontology and the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology. She brings strong expertise in financial and operational management and is excited to support the important work of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
| | More Highlights from Research Day | | |
In addition to the tremendous display of talent and hard work from our faculty, staff, and trainees on Research Day, we also welcomed Dr. Liz Necka, Associate Director of Lifespan and Aging Research at the National Institute of Mental Health.
For a full replay of Dr. Necka's presentation, titled "Future Directions in Loneliness Research," click here. In it, you'll hear her insights on how to distinguish between related social disconnection concepts, the relationships between social disconnection and health outcomes, and thinking critically on the future directions of loneliness research.
| | From Dr. Necka's presentation, to studies on customized psilocybin treatment in major depressive disorder, to presentations on non-pharmacologic interventions in adolescent insomnia, we had a true show of force in psychiatric research and insights! Below are a few more highlights. | | Save the Date: July 24 for the Engagement Committee's Year-in-Review Meeting | | |
The Engagement Committee is on summer break in July and resumes meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month in August. Please be on the lookout for calendar invites. The Year in Review presentation will take place on July 24 at noon.
Please see the Zoom link here: https://umaryland.zoom.us/j/92119125420?pwd=JQYblabCcBGawbOwUKr62oGjYZB6Z8.1
Some summer updates:
The Research sub-committee will have a Bloomberg-funded Baltimore City High School student doing a five-week internship, and two undergraduate students joining as well for volunteer opportunities.
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We would also like to highlight Karah Palmer (right), the former chair of the Department Initiatives and Community Engagement subcommittee who is leaving our Department after five years of dedicated service. She has brought thoughtful leadership and heart to her role as Chair of the Department’s Subcommittee on Department Initiatives and Community Engagement, where she championed partnerships and elevated community voices across the Department.
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As she transitions to pursue new opportunities, we extend our thanks and best wishes! We look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in this next chapter!
Dr. Alicia Luckstead (right) has graciously agreed to take over as chair of the sub-committee. Any member of the department who is interested in community engagement should contact Alicia at Aluckste@som.umaryland.edu.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer! We will see everyone again at the end of August.
| | Looking Back on Juneteenth Celebrations | | |
To honor the holiday of Juneteenth, the Division of Community Psychiatry hosted its annual Juneteenth celebration in the courtyard of 701 W Pratt St.
Dr. Ann Hackman and her team were terrific hosts! Everything was very well organized by Dr. Hackman and Marsha Gorth. They gave away Juneteenth hats, bracelets, and even socks!
| | Congratulations to Our Graduated Interns, Residents, and Fellows! | | |
On Thursday, June 26, we celebrated our graduating interns, and another launch of talented individuals!
Congratulations to our graduates and their mentors--and a special thanks to Moira Dux and her team for organizing yet another amazing event.
| | We also want to congratulate Dr. Allison Aldrich, Dr. Laura Avigan, Dr. Ryan Cooper, Dr. Valerie Jenkins, Dr. Nicole Juszczak, Dr. Lani Matthews, Dr. Swetha Mummini, Dr. Nisha Naik, Dr. Francis Pham, Dr. Celia Quayum, Dr. Alexandru Sorohan, Dr. Solomiya Tsymbalyuk, Dr. Annabel Umeh, and Dr. Jennifer Wineke upon their graduation of our Psychiatry Residency program! Congratulations also to Dr. Shannon Bush, Dr. Rebecca Chandler, Dr. Danielle Day, Dr. Tanvi Gupta, Dr. Janet Karanja, Dr. Mark Mazer and Dr. Hannah Paulding, our graduates from the Child Psychiatry Fellowship program, and Dr. Sara Mahmood and Dr. Emily Rosen-Wachs upon their graduation from our Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship program. | | From Top Left to Bottom Right: PGY-4 graduates Dr. Lani Matthews, Dr. Annabel Umeh, Dr. Nisha Naik, Dr. Jen Wineke, Dr. Alex Sorohan, Dr. Francis Pham, Dr. Swetha Mummini, Dr. Laura Avigan, Dr. Solomiya Tsymbalyuk, Dr. Valerie Jenkins, Dr. Celia Quayam, and Dr Ryan Cooper. | | And last Monday, our Forensic Psychiatry Fellows Dr. Kathryn Blair, Dr. Gerardo Collazo Malave, and Dr. Liam Guenther completed their fellowships, while Dr. Shanno Harrington and Dr. Sina Navazi completed their fellowships in Addiction Medicine and Dr. Grace James Onuma completed her fellowship in Addiction Psychiatry. | | In Case You Missed It: The Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine's Annual Research Symposium | | |
Just over a month ago, on May 28, the Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine hosted its second annual Research Symposium, bringing together dozens of researchers and clinicians to share the latest research into the underlying biology and treatment of substance use disorders.
This year’s symposium — held nearly two years to the day from the establishment of the Kahlert Institute in May 2023 — featured opening remarks by the institute’s new Director, Dr. Kelly Dunn (pictured presenting above), and UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD. Gary Aston-Jones, PhD, Director of the Rutgers University Brain Health Institute, and Anna Konova, PhD, Co-Director of the Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Cognitive Neuro-Psychiatry, each gave a keynote address.
For a full recap of their presentations and findings, click here.
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In the words of Dr. Gloria Reeves, at the June 26 graduation ceremony, Dr. Jessica Fraser earned "a special shoutout" as she was recognized as Outstanding Supervisor for her exemplary achievement in psychology training, and her role in nurturing this year's crop of talent.
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Congratulations to our EIP expert Margo Menkes (right) for receiving an Outstanding Psychology Intern award at the graduation ceremony on June 26, in recognition of her terrific work!
Her mentor, Dr. Melanie Bennett (left), has provided invaluable guidance along the way.
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Dr. Diana Seybolt, Director of DPSR's Systems Evaluation Center, received the Visionary Award from On Our Own of Maryland. This award is presented to a person who has contributed in a significant way to reducing the stigma associated with behavioral health conditions, to making the system more competent and respectful, and to helping us understand our own stigmatizing attitudes and behaviors. Dr. Seybolt has directed the center and worked with her team on numerous projects to improve mental health services in Maryland.
Congratulations Dr. Seybolt!
| | Dr. Curtis Adams and Dr. Ann Hackman published a commentary in Psychiatric Services. Titled "Trust and Mistrust of Mental Health Services Among Black Adults," it reviews a cross-sectional, post-COVID study examining mistrust of the health care system in the Black community, and the surprising findings about the relationship between mistrust and the seeking of help from medical professionals. To view their commentary in full, click here. | | Dr. Stephanie Hare and Dr. Daniel Roche co-authored a chapter in the upcoming volume TMS and Neuroethics, in which they examine the ethical tensions surrounding transcranial magnetic stimulation, including issues of side effect management, expectation-setting, and fairness in access. The volume is now available for pre-order here. | | |
Dr. Deanna Kelly co-authored an article in JAMA Psychiatry. Titled "FDA Eliminates the Clozapine REMS--What Comes Next?" the article goes into detail on the historic nature of clozapine in treating schizophrenia. As the only medication approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, the article calls it "the gold standard" and a first-line antipsychotic for treatment guidelines. For full details, click here.
| | Don't Miss: Breaking the Habit in Behavioral Health (BH2) Training | | |
Register here for Dr. Melanie Bennett's July 31 training for clinicians to assist mental health & substance abuse clients with tobacco treatment.
BH2 training includes:
- Background information and common myths on behavioral health smoking risks
- Updated information on the use of NRT/Pharmacotherapy
- Basic cognitive-behavioral and motivational enhancement strategies
- A single-session and multi-session intervention designed by MTCRC
- CEUs available for social workers, mental health counselors & peer recovery specialists.
| | Follow Us on Social Media! | | |
If you’re on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, please consider following our Department’s accounts to help get the word out on the work we do.
Each week, we post links to presentations, research findings, media appearances by colleagues, and more!
Instagram: @umpsychiatry
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UMPsychiatry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/university-of-maryland-department-of-psychiatry-36657629b/
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