Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology
Cydney Terryn, M.D., recently joined the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology as an assistant professor in the division of child and adolescent psychiatry.
When Rebecca Rampe, Psy.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, began working with patients affected by childhood abuse, neglect and traumatic loss, she noticed many struggled to find treatment approaches that fully addressed the lasting impact of those experiences. That observation ultimately led to the creation of the Developmental Trauma and Traumatic Grief Clinic.
Matthew Macaluso, D.O., has been selected to receive the 2027-28 Faculty Innovation in Education Award from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, a nationally competitive honor that recognizes innovation in psychiatric education.
Jennifer Lockman, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has received a $3.4 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to lead a five-year, multi-site randomized controlled trial evaluating a novel suicide recovery intervention for individuals receiving care in crisis stabilization centers.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recently welcomed Kristina McMahan, Ph.D., as an assistant professor in the Division of Adult Psychiatry.
S. Justin Thomas, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has received an NIH K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research to support mentorship, career development, and translational research in sleep and circadian rhythms.
Shin-ichi Kano, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has been named the latest recipient of the school's Featured Discovery award. This recognition celebrates notable faculty research contributions and highlights the impact of their scientific advancements.
Opioid overdose has been a persistent public health crisis for decades, with the emergency department becoming a critical touchpoint for overdose survivors. However, most patients treated in an emergency department for an overdose never continue medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) after they go home even though MOUDs can reduce the mortality by at least 50%.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recognized eight members for their outstanding work this year in the 2026 Chair Awards.
Lauren Walter, M.D., MSPH, FACEP, has been awarded a five-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for her project titled “Integrated Emergency Addiction Care: A Patient-Centered Model for Medications for Opioid Use Disorder.”
Four faculty members in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology have received promotions, and one has received an award of tenure, effective Oct. 1, 2026.
Our school continues to make meaningful strides toward the goals I outlined at the annual State of School address on February 6, 2026. This month, I am pleased to share the second installment of a three-part series highlighting progress in medical education and professional development, including expanding training opportunities, fostering faculty and trainee success, and increasing scholarship support.
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is addressing a critical need in maternal health through the Perinatal Consultation Clinic (PCC), a specialized outpatient service designed to provide timely psychiatric care for patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
When patients in rural or underserved communities need mental health care, access to a psychiatrist can be difficult. Project ECHO Depression at UAB was created to help bridge that gap by equipping primary care providers with the knowledge and support they need to manage common mental health conditions close to home.
Badari Birur, M.D., professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has assumed the role of Medical Director of the UAB Center for Psychiatric Medicine (CPM).
Scientists have long known that the brain and immune system communicate, but a new UAB-led study reveals an unexpected messenger connecting the two: tiny particles circulating in the bloodstream. The findings, recently published in Nature Communications, demonstrate that these particles can influence brain function and improve social behavior in multiple mouse models with social impairments.
Eight research teams have been selected as the inaugural recipients of the Heersink School of Medicine’s Team Science Grant Program. The funded teams will tackle a wide range of health challenges while laying the groundwork for future large-scale research initiatives.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recently welcomed Jonathan Reid Black, M.D., as an assistant professor.
A new study led by Andrew Hardaway, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, provides new insight into how GLP-1 medications suppress appetite by acting on specific brain circuits.
As temperatures climb during summer, most people expect the physical effects of heat: sweating, fatigue, and the need to stay hydrated. What many may not realize is that heat can also take a toll on mental health.
The Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System recently approved the formal establishment of the Section of Psychology within the Division of Adult Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. The new section will serve to further strengthen the contributions of psychologists across the Heersink School of Medicine’s three mission areas: clinical care, education, and research.
Lillian Brady, Ph.D., assistant professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, is among 10 recipients of the 2026 McKnight Scholar Award, a prestigious honor supporting early-career neuroscientists with exceptional potential.
Members of the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology were honored Thursday, June 11, at the 2026 Graduation and Education Awards. The annual event served to recognize exemplary residents, faculty, and fellows in the department for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is pleased to announce the winners and runners-up from the 2026 Research Symposium.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recently welcomed Adam Niolet, M.D., as an assistant professor.
The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology will present its 2026 Annual Research Symposium on April 21 at 9 a.m. featuring guest speaker Jill Glausier, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh.
UAB recently recognized 40 individuals for their years of service in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, ranging from five years to 35 years. The UAB and UAB Medicine Service Awards honor employees who have made a significant career commitment to UAB, with recognition happening at every five-year milestone.
Spring in Alabama brings warmer temperatures, blooming landscapes, and severe weather. For many people, particularly during peak tornado season in March and April, storm warnings and changing skies can trigger intense anxiety. While concern during severe weather is normal, storm-related anxiety can become overwhelming for some individuals, especially those with prior traumatic experiences.
March is National Social Work Month, a time to recognize the vital role social workers play in advancing patient care, supporting families, and strengthening communities. Across the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, social workers serve as advocates, therapists, care coordinators, and leaders, often walking alongside patients during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is thrilled to announce the results of our 2026 residency match!
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Ellen Eaton, M.D., MSHP, as a professor in January 2026.
In this installment, Caroline G. Richter, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, explores her research in the Science of Child Development and Neurodiversity (STARS) Lab, focusing on practical ways to improve the well-being, learning, and daily functioning of children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.
Adrienne C. Lahti, M.D., professor and chair, Heman E. Drummond Endowed Chair in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, presented the 2026 State of the Department on Tuesday, Feb. 10, highlighting the department’s clinical, research, and educational mission areas.
Social workers are the backbone of compassionate, community-centered care across the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology. Here, we highlight social workers in three distinct programs.
One couple with faculty roots in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine not only contributed to the school’s clinical, educational, and research-driven missions while serving their respective departments, but they are now giving back to support future clinicians, mentors, and scientists in doing the same.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Shanti Alicia James, Ph.D., as an assistant professor in October 2025.
On Thursday, Nov. 20., the Heersink School of Medicine honored 20 faculty members at the Fall 2025 Endowed Chairs and Professorships Reception. This event recognizes Heersink faculty who have made major contributions to research, education, and clinical care.
Justin Thomas, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, has been awarded a $3.4 million grant from the National Institute on Aging and the Office of AIDS Research to study the impact of insomnia treatment on cognitive health in older adults living with HIV.
On Friday, November 14, 2025, students from the UAB Heersink School of Medicine gathered to celebrate faculty excellence during the annual Argus Awards Ceremony. Established to recognize outstanding contributions in medical education, the Argus Awards are determined entirely by student nominations and votes, honoring faculty, courses, and course directors who have made a lasting impact throughout the year.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology opened its Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Clinic in August 2025, a significant step forward in expanding access to cutting-edge treatment for depression.
Supporting those around you starts with supporting yourself. A new training offering at UAB not only emphasizes this but also teaches participants how to use self-regulation to benefit those around them, specifically in a healthcare setting while being transferable to other areas.
A new trio of clinics in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology reflects the department’s dedication to innovation in mental health care. Known collectively as the TEAM Clinics (Treatment, Evaluation and multidisciplinary Approaches for Mental health Clinics), they focus on early intervention for younger individuals experiencing first episodes of psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use disorders—conditions that often emerge during adolescence and early adulthood.
UAB researchers are involved in a new clinical trial to explore a promising treatment for adults suffering from major depressive disorder, especially for those who have not been successfully treated after trying four or more antidepressants. The study involves researchers from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology and the Department of Neurosurgery.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recognized eight members for their outstanding work this year in the 2025 Chair Awards.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology recently welcomed Gagandeep Bhatia, MBBS, as an assistant professor in September 2025.
Eight faculty members in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology have received promotions effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Jennifer Lockman, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology and the leader of the Suicide Prevention and Recovery in Healthcare initiative at UAB, said that more healthcare providers at all levels of care at UAB are being trained on best practices to establish a recovery culture in suicide care.
When someone dies by suicide, the words we use to describe their death can either deepen stigma or foster understanding. Today, mental health experts emphasize compassionate, factual language, recognizing that words can make a real difference in prevention, awareness, and healing.
UAB’s Civitan International Research Center (CIRC) is a world leader in research and treatment of intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than 100 scientists, clinicians, and research staff from around the globe, the center is united by a single mission: improving the well-being and quality of life of individuals and families affected by neurodevelopmental disorders.
The residency research track in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology is an innovative program that integrates a research training component within the department’s general psychiatry residency program. The program is known as STEPP, which stands for Supporting Training for Emerging Physician-Scientists in Psychiatry.