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Post-Doctoral Program

The IMPACT two-year, NIMH-funded training program matches creative and energetic post-doctoral (MD, PhD, DO, or MD, PhD) fellows in mental health-related disciplines with faculty members who provide mentorship across an array of approaches and methods, including fMRI, genetics, statistical modelling, treatment evaluation, and implementation science. In addition, we provide resources for travel, coursework, and pilot research.

The program, which has been funded continuously since 1990, aims to develop clinical scientists who can formulate original and significant research in areas such as:

  • Mechanisms of pathogenesis, persistence and treatment response
  • Translation of basic research findings into clinical interventions
  • Identification of individual differences in treatment response that leads to personalization and optimization of treatment
  • Implementation of effective interventions in community settings
  • Strategies for the dissemination of effective treatments

Fellows at Western Psychiatric Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have an opportunity to work with respected, multi-disciplinary faculty in one of the strongest child and adolescent psychiatry clinical and research programs in the United States. The majority of our graduates go on to obtain academic appointments, secure external funding, and become leading researchers themselves. 

Program Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to providing meaningful training opportunities that foster growth in trainees’ cultural competencies to improve patient care, enhance scientific research, and increase advocacy for social justice.

Training Experiences and Resources

Current Fellows

Yan Yuan, PhD

Kelsey Magee, PhD

Safaa Eldeeb, PhD

Lindsay Taraban, PhD

Ligia Antezana, PhD 

Nicholas Harris, MD

Recent Previous Fellows

Andrew Seidman, PhD                Manivel Rengasamy, MD                          Teague Henry, PhD

Rosalind Butterfield, PhD           Kristen Eckstrand, MD                              Elizabeth McGuier, PhD

Craig Sewall, PhD                         Candice Biernesser, PhD                          Laura Cabral, PhD