The 24th annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day, held on June 11, 2026, was attended by 620 members of our scientific community at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum on the University of Pittsburgh campus. (Click here to read Part II of our Research Day recap.)
Research Staff Members of the Year
Congratulations to the individuals below, who were named 2026 Research Staff Members of the Year in one of three categories: Emerging, Experienced, or Established. An additional award was presented to the Research Team of the Year.
- Abby Neiser (Emerging) – BITE lab
- Abby Regal (Emerging) – Perinatal Health and Behavior Lab
- Ronette Blake (Experienced) – Center for Adolescent Reward, Rhythms & Sleep
- Hollis Edvardsson (Experienced) – Youth and Family Research Program
- Firoza Lussier (Experienced) – Pascoal Lab
- Allison Caswell (Established) – Sleep, Affective Neuroscience, and Development Lab
- Michelle Wilson (Established) – Youth and Family Research Program
- Regulation of Emotion in Autistic Adults, Children, & Teens Program Staff (Research Team of the Year) – REAACT Lab
Mentor Awards
Two faculty members were recognized for achievement in mentorship.
- Tharick Pascoal, MD, PhD – Emerging Mentor Award
- Daniel Buysse, MD – Distinguished Mentor Award
Link: https://www.psychiatry.pitt.edu/pitt-psychiatrys-research-day-part-i-our-scientific-community