Community Psychiatry Program moves to new space in Cooper Green
The Community Psychiatry Program in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology has moved to a new space in the recently completed Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Building as of Feb. 10. The new space will allow the division to better serve its specialized patient population and expand its treatment services.
New resident spotlight: Shubha McClelland, M.D., PGY1
Shubha McClelland, M.D., PGY1, joined the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology in June 2024. A native of Homewood, Alabama, McClelland completed her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Get to know Dr. McClelland better with three quick questions!
Read moreUnderstanding the psychology behind eating disorders
While society as a whole may be familiar with the concept of eating disorders, less is broadly understood about the psychology behind them—namely, what is happening inside a person’s brain who is struggling with an eating disorder.
Many people with eating disorders develop various coping mechanisms to manage overwhelming emotions, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or unresolved past trauma.
Read moreNew resident spotlight: Joanne Makar, M.D., PGY1
Joanne Makar, M.D., PGY1, joined the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology in June 2024. A native of Palm Harbor, Florida, Makar completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida and medical school at Florida State University.
Get to know Dr. Makar better with three quick questions!
Read more5 tips to combat holiday burnout
The holiday season can be a time of joy and celebration but can also lead to stress, exhaustion, and burnout. With what can seem like an endless roster of social events, gift-giving obligations, and the pressure to create the perfect holiday experience, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Li receives a federal grant to expand substance use disorder training for medical students
Li Li, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, was recently awarded a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand substance use disorder (SUD) training for medical students. The goal is not only to better equip medical students with the skill sets necessary to treat patients with SUD but also to ultimately address SUD as a national health crisis.
UAB experts share advice for navigating grief during the holidays

The holiday season, a time typically filled with joy and togetherness, can be especially challenging for those grieving the loss of a loved one. The holidays can feel like a dreadful reminder of a person or animal’s absence.
Read moreUAB doctoral candidate receives T32 grant to study effect of immune cells on neurons and behavior
Jana Badrani, a doctoral candidate in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), recently received a T32 Fellowship Program in Multifaceted Translational Approaches in Mental Illness grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health to study the effect of immune cells on neurons and behavior.
UAB doctoral candidate studying role of violence exposure in adolescents on brain function and mental health with support of T32 fellowship grant
Cameryn Eickstead, a doctoral candidate in the UAB Behavioral Neuroscience Ph.D. program, is studying the role of violence exposure in adolescents in brain function and mental health supported by a T32 Fellowship Program in Multifaceted Translational Approaches in Mental Illness grant. Adrienne C. Lahti, M.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, and Yogesh Dwivedi, Ph.D., Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs/Faculty Development in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, are principal investigators for the grant.
Employees recognized in Let's S.H.I.N.E. Psychiatry Rewards and Recognition Program
We are thrilled to announce the employees recognized this month in our Let’s S.H.I.N.E. Psychiatry Rewards and Recognition Program! These outstanding team members have gone above and beyond, exemplifying our department’s values through their dedication, compassion, and hard work.
Breaking down barriers to opioid use treatment: The Beacon ACT Clinic at UAB
In 2021, an estimated 2.5 million people in the U.S. aged 18 years or older had an opioid use disorder, and only 1 in 5 of them received medications to treat it, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Barriers to care often include lack of insurance or other financial resources, inadequate access to transportation, poor social support, and confusion about where and how to access care. At UAB, providers in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology are doing their part to break down these barriers.
Active Mind continues landmark dementia prevention research with NIH award
Jerri Edwards, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, is continuing work on a grant from the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Aging totaling $24 million over the course of 5 years for her study, Active Mind: An adaptive clinical trial of cognitive training to improve function and delay dementia.
New resident spotlight: Emma Cao, M.D., PGY1
Emma Cao, M.D., PGY1, joined the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology in June 2024. A native of Mountain Brook, Alabama, Cao completed her undergraduate degree at Auburn University and medical school at the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
Fobian receives Startup of the Year Award for ReACT FND Health
Aaron Fobian, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, recently received the Startup of the Year Award from the Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for her new startup, ReACT FND Health.
Thomas named president of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine
S. Justin Thomas, Ph.D., FSBSM, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, will soon begin his tenure as president of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM), effective November 1, 2024.
8 faculty in Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology receive promotions, tenure
Eight faculty members in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology have received promotions and/or tenure, effective Oct. 1, 2024.
New faculty feature: Kevin Karl, Ph.D.
The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Kevin Karl, Ph.D., to the faculty as an assistant professor in July 2024.
How UAB is redefining support for suicide prevention and recovery
In the United States, the suicide rate has risen 33.7 percent since the year 2000. In Alabama, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death, and the state has had higher suicide rates than the national average since 1990. In addition, 90 percent of suicides have a current diagnosable psychiatric disorder, the most common being major depression.
In an ongoing effort to prevent rising statistics related to suicide attempts and deaths, a beacon of hope shines bright in the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology: The Suicide Prevention and Recovery in Healthcare initiative. This pioneering program doesn’t just offer a lifeline; it empowers individuals to navigate through their darkest moments toward a path of healing and resilience.
Read moreNew faculty feature: Amanda Pomerantz, D.O
The UAB Department of Psychiatry welcomed Amanda Pomerantz, D.O., to the faculty as an assistant professor in July 2024.
5 sleep tips for mental well-being this school year
As the new school year begins, many focus on getting supplies and organizing schedules, but one key aspect often gets overlooked—sleep.
Quality sleep is essential for more than just staying alert; it’s crucial for your brain’s ability to process information, improve memory, and manage stress. Prioritizing sleep also helps prevent increased anxiety and depression. Making sleep a non-negotiable part of your routine is vital for maintaining mental well-being throughout the school year.
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