NEW! Apply for an O'Donnell Brain Institute Sprouts Trainee Grant

Applications are now open for the O’Donnell Brain Institute Sprouts Grant Program. The grants give trainees the opportunity to take an independent role in formulating and carrying out a new research question relevant to their ongoing study. Funding is intended to encourage creative, high-quality research that also advances the training of early career laboratory or clinical scientists. The maximum total funding per project is $25,000 and goes to support new ideas from trainees (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, or clinical fellows) under the supervision of an OBI Investigator. All brain-related research areas are eligible. Preference will be given to proposals in the following areas:

• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease
• Delineation and/or modulation of normal and disease-altered brain circuits

NEW! Covered individuals are required to complete mandatory research security training

Covered individuals listed on federal research and development awards are required to complete mandatory research security training by Dec. 1, 2025, or before submitting new Department of Energy (DOE) or National Science Foundation (NSF) applications. Individuals who must complete the training will be notified of specified training modules in Taleo. Those who are assigned must complete all four modules:

• Module 1: What is Research Security? 
• Module 2: International Collaboration 
• Module 3: Manage and Mitigate Risk 
• Module 4: Introduction to Export Controls 

Individuals who do not see the training modules in their Taleo learning plan requirements are not required to complete them at this time. For more information, please refer to the FAQ below, visit the Research Security webpage, or contact ResearchSecurity@UTSouthwestern.edu with questions.

NEW! Faculty development opportunities abound

Faculty Affairs and Career Development offers multiple opportunities for faculty to improve their teaching and coaching skills, learn from other educators, network, and build on prior experience to succeed. The university's wellness initiatives may also be of interest. These efforts include support at a local level, self-care resources, well-being interventions, and coaching.

NEW! Applications open for Inspiring Careers in Mental Health internship program

Applications are now open for Inspiring Careers in Mental Health, a two-week summer internship for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students and rising college first-years. The program provides students with overviews of a range of careers available in mental health. Participants learn about the breadth of work available in mental health in areas like psychotherapy, neuropsychological testing, neuroscience, interventional psychiatry, and community psychiatry. 

Other Support Training for Key Personnel must be completed by Oct. 10

Other Support Training for Key Personnel is required of all Faculty who have applied for or anticipate applying for federal funding and is designed specifically to align with NIH’s requirements. The Other Support for Key Personnel module in Taleo aims to clarify expectations of emerging disclosure requirements, highlight common pitfalls, and provide practical guidance. The module must be completed by Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, to ensure compliance. Please note, module completion must be attested in Taleo and a pdf certificate generated to meet the requirement. The pdf certificate will be reviewed by SPA staff during the proposal application stage. 

NIH limits grant applications to six per year

The National Institutes of Health has announced that it will limit investigators to 6 grant submissions per calendar year – including applications with multiple Primary Investigators – beginning on Sept. 25. Existing submissions will not be impacted, so submissions before that date are not counted toward the total. The NIH has also stated it will not consider proposals that are "substantially developed by AI." Specifics on these policies' enforcement are still being shared by the NIH, but researchers should review the Frequently Asked Questions section linked below for the latest updates. If you feel that you may be one of the PI’s affected by the cap, please do not hesitate to reach out to UT Southwestern's Sponsored Programs Administration for specific guidance.

Office of Faculty Wellness and Engagement changes name, expands services

The Office of Faculty Wellness and Engagement (formerly the Office of Faculty Wellness) is expanding its efforts to build a more connected, supported, and thriving community. These expanded efforts include: community-based gatherings supporting faculty in building connections with their home communities; new faculty engagement with meetups and check-ins to create welcoming and inclusive experiences; more responsive partnerships based on faculty engagement surveys; the Peer Assistance and Resources for Effective Navigations and Transitions (PARENT) program to help create a more transparent and supportive parental leave process; and more. Click this link to learn more.

New department leadership structure announced

Dear colleagues,

I hope you are having a good start of the academic year. Over the past 11 months, I have had the privilege to get to know you and work with many of you on several initiatives. One department wide activity has been the restructuring of the leadership team to build on the accomplishments to date, meet the needs of where we are, and position us for a successful future in academic and service excellence. 

The new department organizational structure will follow a matrix model, led by an Executive Leadership Team which includes Division Chiefs and Vice Chairs, all reporting to the Chair.

On the academic side, we are establishing new Division Chief positions with some Division Chiefs being supported by Associate Division Chiefs. The Division Chiefs and Associate Chiefs will focus on faculty development, academic trajectory, and professionalism. All faculty will report directly to Division Chiefs, who will support them in close collaboration with the Vice Chairs, Chiefs of Services, and Medical Directors.

On the clinical side, we will have Chiefs of Services reporting in these roles to the Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs. Chiefs of Services will be supported by Medical Directors. The Vice Chairs and Chiefs of Services will focus on quality, efficiency, and productivity at the service level.

On the education side, we will continue to have a Vice Chair, Education, and Program Director, and these roles will continue to be supported by Associate Program Directors and Fellowship Directors.

On the research side, we will continue to have a Vice Chair, Clinical Research, who will lead the Clinical Research Infrastructure. In addition, our basic science research will continue to be led by the Division Chief of Psychiatry Neuroscience.

On the psychology side, we will continue to have a Vice Chair, Psychology, who will lead the education and research services in psychology, and collaborate with the Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs, in co-leading psychological services. In addition, we have established a Chief of Service for Psychology, who will report to both the Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs, and the Vice Chair, Psychology. Lastly, we established a distinct Division Chief position for Psychology to focus on the Psychology faculty development, academic trajectory, and professionalism.

In addition, the department is home to the Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium at UT Southwestern, and the VA North Texas Health Care System Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Service, all members of the Executive Leadership Team, as well as several special programs such as Computational Psychiatry in Mood Disorders, Ethics, Molecular Imaging in Psychiatry, and Translational Research in Schizophrenia.

A key development in the new structure is the (re)-establishment of the academic divisions. In this context, please join Dr. Rajji and the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in welcoming three new Division Chiefs: Dr. Andre Russowsky Brunoni, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Dr. Jennifer Coughlin, M.D., and Dr. Laura Lacritz, Ph.D.

Our aim is for purposeful, collaborative leadership, and I look forward to your feedback as operations advance within this newly designed structure. 

Cheers,

Tarek Rajji, M.D.

Professor and Chair

State Employee Charitable Campaign kicks off

Are you in the mood to do some good? Want to improve the quality of life for people locally, across the country, and around the world? The annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) is underway, and giving to your favorite charity has never been easier. The SECC works with hundreds of local, state, national, and international charities, providing needed funding for the causes you care about. You can make a one-time donation or choose a monthly payroll deduction of as little as $2 (or more if you are feeling generous). If you donate through PeopleSoft you will be registered to potentially win one of 50 prizes including FC Dallas Fantasy Camp tickets, a Mavs facility tour, State Fair of Texas tickets, UT Southwestern branded items, and more. SECC representatives will be at the North Campus Commons and Skyline Cafe on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. if you want to make a cash or check donation. Email Kirk Dickey in the Chair's Office with any questions about the SECC.

NEW! Sharon Davis, RN, graduated from South Plains College with an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2023 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through The University of Texas in Arlington. At UT Southwestern, she will work with the Multispecialty Psychiatric Clinic. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, and watching movies. She has a daughter who is currently in middle school.

Dr. Matthew Yung, M.D., has joined the department as an Assistant Professor and Medical Director of the Parkland Psychiatry Emergency Service. He also serves as teaching faculty at the Parkland Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Yung completed medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine and psychiatry residency at UT Southwestern where he served as Co-chief Resident. Following training, he joined faculty at NYU/Bellevue Hospital, where he served as Unit Chief of the Extended Care Unit caring for patients with SMI and assisting them transition to supportive housing. While in NYC, he completed the Columbia Psychoanalytic Fellowship to further his interest in psychodynamic therapy. 

Shamsad Texiwala, LCSW, joins the department as a Clinical Therapist. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Windsor, a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Toronto, an Advanced Certificate in Couples and Family Studies from the University of Guelph, and a Graduate Certificate in Addictions and Mental Health from Durham College. her clinical interests include supporting individuals through life transitions, navigating relationship dynamics, women’s health, and addiction recovery. She also finds joy in mentoring, teaching, and sparking growth in future clinicians. When she’s not in session, you can find Shamsad hopping on a plane for her next travel adventure, checking out new restaurants, experimenting in the kitchen, or hiking a scenic trail.

Hailey Umosen, LCSW-S, OSW-C, joins the department as a Clinical Therapist working in the department of Psycho-Oncology in Fort Worth. Hailey earned her Master of Social Work from Baylor University. She worked as an oncology social worker at Simmons Cancer Center in Fort Worth. She is also an adjunct professor at Texas Christian University.

Mathew Nguyen joins the department as a Clinical Research Assistant I in Dr. Emslie’s Lab. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Arlington, with minors in Clinical Health Psychology and Spanish. His research focuses on understanding the effects of language and depression on affective and non-affective cognitive functioning. In his free time, he enjoys playing the piano and learning languages.  

Dr. Sheba Gollapudi, M.D., M.A., joins the department as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Inpatient Psychiatrist at Clements University Hospital. She completed her medical school education at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and her adult psychiatry residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Her clinical and academic interests include inpatient psychiatry, integrative psychiatry, psychotherapy, neuromodulation, ethics, resident and medical student education, and wellness for trainees.

Lauren Eisenstat graduated from The University of Texas in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She worked as a lab coordinator and lead psychometrist for a neuropsychology clinic in Austin for 3 years. In her new role at UT Southwestern, she will serve as a Clinical Research Assistant in the lab of Dr. C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., where she will be involved in concussion research and telehealth neuropsychology assessment.

Dr. Tyler Evans, Ph.D., joins the department as a Clinical Assistant Professor working in the Department of Psychiatry — Psycho-oncology. Dr. Evans earned her doctorate in counseling psychology from Texas A&M University. During her clinical internship and fellowship at WellSpan, she focused on health psychology, providing psychotherapy in outpatient, primary care, and obstetrics and gynecology settings. 

Katrina Vasquez joins the department as an Education Coordinator and brings more than six years of experience in Psychiatry. She will work closely with Dr. Adriane dela Cruz and take the lead on organizing and managing didactics for our residents. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in managing complex schedules, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring smooth coordination across multiple stakeholders. Katrina is known for her go-getter attitude and warm personality.

NEW! Dr. Kipp Pietrantonio, Ph.D., ABPP, and Dr. Collin Vas, M.D., were featured in a MedBlog titled "Effective OCD treatment to quiet intrusive thoughts, control repetitive behaviors." The MedBlog includes information about causes, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for obsessive compulsive disorder.

A paper on youth with atypical depression co-authored by Dr. Emine Rabia Ayvaci, M.D., was featured in a Psychiatric News Alert. Read the study here.

NEW! Dr. Jennifer Coughlin, M.D., has been awarded a $4 million grant by the National Institute of Mental Health to study the colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) in the brains of people with virally suppressed HIV. The CSF1R is a marker expressed by microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, and can be quantified across the brain using positron emission tomography (PET). This proposal will study the relationship between the neuroimmune response in select brain regions and performance in measures of cognitive control in treated HIV. 

NEW! Dr. Robin B. Jarrett, Ph.D., ABPP, has been named a 2025 Distinguished Alumnus by the Psychology Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In a congratulatory letter, the UNC Greensboro Psychology Department noted that the honor goes to those whose work has been visionary and transformative, specifically referencing Dr. Jarrett's work helping facilitate advances in the treatment of depression and relapse prevention in adults and youth, along with her scholarship, mentoring activities, global collaborations, and impact.

NEW! Dr. Abhisek Khandai, M.D., has been elected to Fellowship in the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. Fellowship in the ACLP is one of the academy’s highest honors, recognizing members who have demonstrated sustained commitment to the academy and contributions to the field of consultation-liaison psychiatry as educators, researchers, administrators, and leaders. 

NEW! Lidia Ortiz, a Program Coordinator for the Psychiatry Department, won first place in the Creative Nonfiction Literary Work category of the 2025 On My Own Time™ (OMOT) Employee Art Show for her story "Nopalitos." She and the other winners have been invited to read their works aloud at Literary Night on Oct. 9 at the Dallas College Brazos Gallery. For more information about the contest, see the winning entries, and view more than 40 submissions, click on this link.

NEW! Bradley Cleaver, an Administrative Associate in the Psychiatry Department, was awarded first place in the Ceramics, Wood, & Glass-Professional category of the 2025 On My Own Time™ (OMOT) Employee Art Show for his sculpture, "Garden of Eyes." The piece is on display at an exhibition of OMOT work sponsored by the North Texas Business Council for the Arts at Northpark Mall in the Macy's courtyard area until Oct. 5.

UT Southwestern Medical Center has been awarded a $249,990 Short-term Community-based Opioid Recovery Effort (CORE) grant by the Opioid Abatement Fund Council (OAFC) for 2025. UT Southwestern's grant was awarded in the Treatment and Coordination of Care category. Dr. Pedro Fernandez, M.D., a member of the OAFC and Chief of Service at Parkland Health, was quoted in a press release saying that the council was honored to support organizations across the state that are working to confront the opioid crisis. “By awarding these grants, we are empowering communities, expanding access to lifesaving care and building the capacity needed to bring hope and healing to the Texans most affected — a central goal of the Council’s mission,” he said.

The winner for the Golden Heart Award for Clinical Excellence for this month is Dr. Courtney Sanders, Ph.D.

Dr. John Sadler, M.D., has attained Life Member status in the American Psychiatric Association and the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians. This recognition reflects his longstanding membership, dedication, and contributions to psychiatry and to the professional community.

Associate professor Dr. Kehinde Obikoya, M.D., has been accepted into the American College of Psychiatrists and will be inducted at the annual meeting next February in Bonita Springs, Florida. Dr. Obikoya is a fulltime staff member at Metrocare leading the Special Needs Offenders Program (SNOP) and is integral to the Forensic Psychiatry training efforts of the department.

Multiple doctors were honored at the Association of Academic Psychiatry (AAP) conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Sept. 10-13. Dr. Juan Sosa, M.D., was awarded a Master Educator IDEA Fellowship Award. Dr. Josh Hubregsen, M.D., was honored with an AAP Early Career Development Award. Dr. Kayla Murphy, M.D. received an AAP Resident Psychiatric Educator Award.

Dr. Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., won the Patricia and William L. Watson Jr., M.D. Award for Excellence in Clinical Medicine, UT Southwestern's top honor for clinical care. The Watson award recognizes a faculty physician who exemplifies excellence in patient care, is a leader in advancing clinical innovations, and has had a profound impact on students, trainees, colleagues, and patients. A ceremony honoring all of the Leaders in Clinical Excellence Awards will be held on Nov. 5.

Drs. Lynnel Goodman, Ph.D., and Madhukar Trivedi, M.D., have been awarded an R21 pilot grant from the National Institute of Mental Health titled "Social Media Concerns Related to Emotional Experience in Naturalistic Settings: SCREENS." The project will investigate how objectively measured adolescent social media use amount and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) self-reported positive/negative social media experiences impact internalizing symptom trajectories. Going beyond virtual contexts, they will also investigate how in-person social context impacts the relationship between social media use and internalizing symptoms. Drs. Betsy Kennard, Psy.D. and Abu Minhajuddin, Ph.D. will serve as Co-Investigators. 

Dr. Kitzia Moreno, Ph.D., has been appointed Chair of the Task Force Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS), a two-year initiative dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, and representation in the global study of self-injury. She was invited to lead this effort in recognition of her expertise in culturally responsive care for individuals with serious mental illness and her commitment to health equity. In this role, Dr. Moreno will guide the Task Force in identifying barriers to membership for underrepresented groups and developing sustainable strategies to diversify ISSS’s international community.

Dr. Jasmine Liu-Zarzuela, M.D., MPH, has been selected for an American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Educational Outreach Program grant for General Psychiatry Residents.

NEW! Dr. Alaa Hajeissa, M.D., a first-year Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow, was selected to participate in the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry's (AACAP) System of Care Special Program Clinical Poster Award and Fellowship. He will be studying how legislation prohibiting the use of smartphones during instructional time impacts schoolchildren's academic performance and mental health. 

Dr. Molin Shi, Ph.D., presented on the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Research Team's work to Teen Cancer America's Monthly Drip series. The presentation was titled, "Meeting the Unmet Needs of Young Adults with Cancers and in Survivorship." 

Dr. T. Abigail Ortiz, M.D., presented "From Signals to Solutions: Making Digital Phenotyping Clinically Meaningful," a webinar for the Society of Digital Psychiatry in late August. Watch the webinar here.

Doctors, residents, and medical school students from throughout the Psychiatry Department attended the Association of Academic Psychiatry (AAP) convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sept. 10-13. Many gave presentations.

Dr. Ashely Woolbert, M.D., led a group of students and a resident (above) in the presentation, "Human Rights in Psychiatry Education: A Framework for Understanding Social Determinants and Bias." The group included students Margaret Vo, Bilal Rehman, Cole Ferguson, and Tyler Bates, and resident Sadhana Sruveera Sathi.

Dr. Adam Brenner, M.D., taught for the Master Educator program on Sept. 10. On the same day, Dr. Chad Lane, M.D., co-presented, "Brain on Display: Teaching Neuroimaging in Psychiatry through Interactive Progressive Case Conferences." That workshop was coauthored by Dr. Kathy Niu, M.D.

Dr. Sarah Baker, M.D., Dr. Latoya Frolov, M.D., Dr. Darlene King, M.D., Dr. Chad Lane, M.D., and Dr. Woolbert co-presented, "Thinking with Purpose: Harnessing Reflection in Medical Education" on Sept. 11.

Dr. Brenner and Dr. Matthew Yung, M.D., co-presented "From Arrogance to Humility: Promoting Growth in Training" on Sept. 12. Dr. Baker co-presented "Beyond Blame: Enhancing Morbidity and Mortality Conferences in Psychiatric Education" the same day.

NEW! Ethics Grand Rounds lecture

Dr. Mario Malički, M.D., Ph.D., the Associate Director of the Stanford Program for Rigor and Responsibility (SPORR) at Stanford University and Editor-in-Chief of Research Integrity and Peer Review (RIPR) journal, will deliver the next Ethics Grand Rounds lecture from Noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Dr. Malički will present "Ensuring Integrity of Research and Peer Review: Lessons Learned by Being an Editor." More details about the lecture are available by clicking this link or by contacting Ruth Vinciguerra. 

Clinical Research Infrastructure Presentation

Dr. T. Abigail Ortiz, M.D., will present information about her research at the Tuesday, Oct. 21 Clinical Research Infrastructure meeting. Those interested in a preview of the presentation can some of the subject matter by viewing this webinar held in August.

Successfully Earning a K (SEAK) workshop

Improve your likelihood of funding with the Successfully Earning a K (SEAK) workshop, each Tuesday from Nov. 3-Jan. 19. Participants will craft relevant sections of a K award application for review at each session. Completed grant applications will be reviewed, and participants will take part in a mock study section. The SEAK workshop will be led by Dr. E. Sherwood Brown, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., Professor of Psychiatry, Vice Chair for Clinical Research, Chief of the Division of Clinical Neuroscience, and Director of the Psychoneuroendocrine Research Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Brown serves on several journal editorial boards and has been awarded numerous grants from NIH and private foundations. The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 10.

'Silos to Synergy' fall 2025 informatics event

Faculty doing data-driven research are encouraged to attend the upcoming fall informatics event, “Silos to Synergy: Leveraging Powerful Data Resources Through Collaboration, Dynamic Alliances, and Partnerships,” hosted by the Clinical Informatics Center from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, at Pegasus Park. This full-day event will focus on leveraging powerful data resources through collaboration, dynamic alliances, and partnerships. It’s a great opportunity to engage with peers across research and clinical domains and explore strategies for leveraging data assets we have access to and building collaborative partnerships for data-driven research.

Sample topics include:

• Real-world frustrations and lessons learned from both data requestors and providers

• Strategies to shift from transactional models to collaborative partnerships

• Navigating governance, trust, timelines, and resource alignment

• Building sustainable collaboration models that recognize shared goals and constraints.

Please feel free to reach out to Aamirah Vadsariya for more information.

Ethics in AI virtual symposium

The Ethics in AI group at UT Southwestern has planned a morning of learning and networking via Zoom, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8. See a tentative program here. Panelists and short talk presenters from UT Southwestern will contribute their thoughts around the ethical ramifications of AI and its impact in their field of work and study. The Zoom will remain open after the talks to foster interaction, dialogue, and free idea exchange among participants. Registration closes on Oct. 3.

Mastering the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funding application process

This virtual workshop aims to equip researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop competitive applications. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of PCORI's funding priorities, application requirements, and review processes. Panelists include Dr. Cherise Chin Fatt, Ph.D. The workshop is planned from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Walk to End Alzheimer's – Dallas will kick off at Klyde Warren Park on Saturday, Nov. 1. UT Southwestern's UTSW CLP 2025 team, including many members of the Psychiatry Department, will take part this year. There is still time to sign up for those who which to participate.