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:

• RFA release date – Monday, March 3, 2025
• Grant software available – Monday, March 10, 2025
• Chair's office pre-application review deadline - Friday, March 14, 2025
• 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 and Voting

The USNWR Best Hospitals survey is now 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.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Grant

The BBRF Young Investigator Grant program offers up to $35,000 a year for up to two years to enable promising investigators to either extend their research fellowship training or to begin careers as independent research faculty.

Key Requirements:

• Applicants may apply twice for their first YI Grant and only once more if previously awarded.
• A maximum of two YI Grants can be awarded per researcher.
• Applicants must hold a doctoral-level degree (e.g., M.D., Ph.D., Psy.D.) and be in advanced postdoctoral training or a faculty position.
• Research must primarily focus on psychiatric disorders (transdiagnostic designs welcome).
• Some disorders such as Autism, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease are supported by BBRF only if primary psychiatric disorders are included in the research design. Transdiagnostic designs involving several disorders are welcome.

Application deadline: Wednesday, March 12, 2025

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:

• Eight 90-minute sessions, beginning the week of March 17, 2025.
• 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

Veronica Bordes Edgar, Ph.D., was elected as President of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN).

Christian Monsalve, M.D., was accepted to the 2025 APA Research Colloquium for Junior Psychiatrist Investigators.

Laura Howe-Martin, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as Medical Director of Psycho-Oncology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Kitzia Moreno, Ph.D., was elected to the Board for the Assessment Psychology Section of the American Psychological Associations Society of Clinical Psychology.

Temitope Adedolapo, M.D., was selected to present at the 2025 Dewitt C. Alfred, MD Psychiatric Symposium at Morehouse School of Medicine.

Abhira Ravirala grew up in Hyderabad, India, and moved to Dallas where she earned her bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at UT Dallas. During her studies, she conducted research on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain at the Center for Advance Pain Studies and investigated the role of the sympathetic nervous system in mammary gland development in a stem cell research lab. Now, as a research technician in the Choi Lab, she is excited to continue to fuel her love for learning brain sciences, enthusiasm for research, and contribute to scientific advancement.

Benjamin Kum, D.O., is a graduate of the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and joined us after his tenure at Geisinger Health System in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. He is boarded in addiction medicine and family medicine. He is Parkland Health's Medical Director for the newly launched Paths to Recovery Clinic, a low barrier, high access outpatient addiction clinic. He partners with jail health, access clinic, and integrative pain to bring complete and comprehensive care for the most marginalized and stigmatized members of our community.

Donald Egan, M.D., Darlene King, M.D., Tarek Rajji, M.D., and Joseph Guillory, M.D., attended the American College of Psychiatry Annual Meeting in Kauai, Hawaii. Dr. King served as an expert panelist for the Ethics of Using AI in Psychiatry discussion.

Ethics Grand Rounds

Tuesday, March 11, 2025; 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom

Polygenic Embryo Screening: Ethical Challenges

Vardit Ravitsky, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hastings Center

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.

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.