Dr. Chad Lane named Chair of Faculty Retreat Committee

Chad Lane, M.D., has been selected to take over as Chair of the Faculty Retreat Committee. In this role, Dr. Lane will oversee the planning and execution of the retreat, hopeful that it will continue to bring our department together to learn, grow, and celebrate.

Grant Application Reminder

All non-science application components (i.e. eGrants smartform, budget, budget justification, other support, and subaward documents) should be submitted to SPA for review no later than 14-days prior to the sponsor or desired submission deadline. 

TCMHCC New and Emerging Children's Mental Health Researchers Initiative Funding Opportunity

The New and Emerging Children’s Mental Health Research (NECMHR) initiative is designed to foster and mentor junior researchers and trainees at TCMHCC institutions so that they can become successful mental health researchers. Pre-application instructions will be coming soon. Below are the 3-types of grant opportunities that will be available for FY2026/27:

1. Post-doctoral Fellow and Trainee
2. Research Career Development
3. Research Project

Key Dates:

• Deadline for pre-application – Friday, March 28, 2025
• Full application invitations – Monday, April 7, 2025
• SPA deadline - Friday, May 2, 2025
• Application deadline – Friday, May 16, 2025
• Notify candidates of conditional award – Friday, July 25, 2025

U.S. News and World Report Survey

Voting Ends in March!

The USNWR Best Hospitals survey is available on Doximity.

Key details:

• Voting is open to board-certified physicians in psychiatry (as well as the other adult and pediatric specialties).
• To begin the survey, log in to your profile through doximity.com or the Doximity app and click the U.S. News icon or button.
• If you are not registered on Doximity, please claim your profile. An email should then be sent inviting you to vote. If you do not receive a message, you can still log in through doximity.com or use the app to participate.
• Keep in mind that, based on the methodology U.S. News applies, voting for a single hospital has a greater impact than choosing more than one.

Grant Review Workshop

UTSW currently offers workshops for new investigators applying for R01 (SOAR) and K awards (SEAK). These programs include approximately eight virtual sessions and a mock study section, with grant sections reviewed collaboratively by facilitators and peers. We encourage faculty to consider applying to these programs. However, enrollment is limited due to the structure of the programs.

To address the need for more Psychiatry investigators to participate in this type of program, the department will introduce a similar workshop tailored for its investigators. This initiative aims to increase participation and provide support for a broader range of grant types, including those submitted by more experienced investigators.

Key details:

• The exact day and time will be arranged after participants have been identified. The sessions will include review of specific aims, research strategy, training plans for K award applicants, NIH biosketches and other sections, culminating with a mock study section review of the applications
• Applicable to NIH, DOD, and other federal or foundation grants submitted on or after June 1, 2025. Investigators submitting other types of grants who want to participate will also be included on a case-by-case basis.
• Participants will submit grant sections (e.g., background, research strategy) to the facilitator and a peer reviewer at least 48 hours before each session.
• Both verbal and written feedback will be provided by a facilitator and peer (another participant).

Internal Grant Review for New Applications

Receiving constructive feedback on grant applications prior to submission is invaluable for all investigators, particularly for those new to the process. Departments of Psychiatry with the highest levels of NIH funding often employ similar practices. To foster success, our department will implement a formal review process. This review will be mandatory for those meeting the definition of a NIH New Investigator (grant applicants who have not yet competed successfully for a substantial, competing NIH research grant) and optional for others.

Key details:

• Applicable to NIH, DOD, and other federal grants submitted on or after June 1, 2025.
• A nearly complete application (not a rough draft) must be submitted electronically at least 30 days prior to the grant's due date.
• Relevant grant details (e.g., PAR or other guidance documents) should accompany the submission.
• Applications will undergo peer review by at least two faculty members in Psychiatry. Based on the topic, reviewers may also include faculty from other UTSW departments or external institutions.
• A written critique will be provided within 10 calendar days.

Note: Participation in the Grant Review Workshop above satisfies the pre-submission review requirement for new investigators. However, investigators are encouraged to engage in both for comprehensive support.

View Our Open Faculty Positions

Christian LoBue, Ph.D., was featured in the Newsroom article Neurostimulation shows promise as potential Alzheimer's treatment, where he discusses his study findings that transcranial direct current stimulation temporarily improved some patients’ cognitive skills.

Enrique Chiu Han, M.D., has been selected to participate in the American Psychiatric Association 2025 Research Colloquium for Junior Psychiatric Investigators.

Temitope Adedolapo, M.D. has been selected by the Dallas County Commissioner to serve on the Board of The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.

Sidarth Wakhlu, M.D., was nominated to join the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) Class of 2026.

Ashley Tsang, a 4th year medical student, presented Evaluating Psychiatry Journals’ Adherence to Informed Consent Guidelines for Case Reports at the 34th annual meeting of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics. Mentor and co-author Dr. Elizabeth Heitman accompanied her, and Dr. John Sadler, and Dr. Sherwood Brown were co-authors.

The Neuropsychology Clinic had a fun teambuilding event at Group Dynamix in celebration of receiving a UTSW Team Excellence Customer Service Award. The group engaged in fun teamwork games and finished the event with a ropes course!

Faculty and trainees attended First Tuesday at the Capitol where legislators gather to hear from physicians, medical students, and alliance constituents to understand how proposed legislation can potentially impact the practice of medicine in Texas.

Our department was well represented at the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training Annual Meeting. Some accomplishments include:

• Tameka Ellis was named Chair of the Lucille Fusaro Meinsler Program Administrator Award Committee.
• Rachel Beck, Adriane dela Cruz, Kathy Niu, and Molly Camp presented “From Pre-Brief to Debrief: Using Simulation in a Changing Educational Environment".
• Ozlem Hokelekli and Adriane dela Cruz presented “Navigating Conflicts in Professional Settings: Preparing Residents for the Inevitable”.
• Adriane dela Cruz presented “Developing Teachers from Learners: How Clinician Educator Tracks Can Cultivate Resident Leaders in Education and Support a Department’s Teaching Mission”.
• Josh Hubregsen presented “CBME Specialty Workshops: Conducting CCCs with an Eye Towards Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equity”.
• Eric Shute and Kathie Trello-Rishel presented “Empowering Trainees: Navigating Gender Affirming Care in Resident and Fellow Training Programs in Texas”.
• Kathie Trello-Rishel presented “The Life Cycle of a Chief Resident: From Selection to Development”.
• Adam Brenner and Josh Hubregsen presented “CBME Workshop Session: Can Psychiatry Meet the Moment for Competency-Based Medical Education”.
• Adam Brenner provided consultations in his role as Editor in Chief of Academic Psychiatry and presented on the journal’s past year at the business meeting.
• Lia Thomas co-authored, and Adam Brenner co-presented “The Reviews Are In! Learning the Art and Science of Peer Review.”.

Ethics Grand Rounds

Tuesday, April 8, 2025; 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Via Zoom

"Personalized Medicine" Wasn't Personal; "Precision Medicine" Isn't Precise

James Tabery, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy, University of Utah

This lecture will be conducted via Zoom webinar. Though there is no registration fee, please register to participate.

Metrocare Inaugural Research Symposium

Friday, April 11, 2025; 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Pegasus Park

As a part of Metrocare, The Altshuler Center for Education and Research (ACER) conducts and supports clinical research in real-world settings, driving treatment innovations that bring renewed hope to those in public mental health. The Symposium is open to students and professionals interested in sharing their research projects with the community.

Promotion Workshops

The Promotion and Tenure Committee ensures faculty members understand the academic advancement timeline and criteria for each distinct academic rank and track. There will be an upcoming virtual workshops for the following track:

Clinician-Educator/Clinician Track - Register

Wednesday, April 16, 2025; Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Women's Health Research Initiative Spring Forum

Thursday, April 17, 2025; 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

South Campus: D1.602

The Women’s Health Research Initiative is a new interdisciplinary effort designed to connect basic, translational, and clinical researchers around common themes in women’s health. This forum is an opportunity to showcase the ongoing work in Women’s Health Research and provide a chance for members of the community to interact.

2025 Functional Neurological Disorder Virtual Symposium: FND Across the Lifespan

Friday, April 18, 2025; 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Via Zoom

This year’s symposium will feature an added focus on FND in pediatric populations, Functional Cognitive Disorder, inpatient management of FND, and many other cutting-edge topics. We welcome all faculty, staff, and trainees interested in learning more.

Key topics:

• Pediatric Functional Seizures
• Pediatric Functional Movement Disorders
• Functional Cognitive Disorder
• Pediatric Rehabilitative Therapies
• Group Therapy for FND
• Hypnosis for FND
• Inpatient Management of FND
• Interactive Q&A Session with the Speaker Panel

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

To attend the symposium, please pre-register. After clicking the registration link, you may need to create an account to sign in. There is no registration fee. View the flyer and schedule.