Research and Career Exploration
Research
Our faculty includes numerous researchers across multiple sites (Keck School of Medicine, Keck Hospital of USC, USC Student Mental Health, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles). We also have relationships with researchers at the Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, the Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, and the Institute for the Developing Mind at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Recent departmental grants focus on animal models for schizophrenia and autism, neuroimaging technologies to understand the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders, the effects of environmental toxins on brain development, the development of brain imaging techniques focusing on perfusion and metabolic function, clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, evidence-based treatments for adolescents with trauma, cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness interventions for anxiety disorders, family based interventions for obsessive compulsive disorder, the clinical and brain effects of meditative mindfulness practices, and self-management and empowerment interventions for older Latinos with depression and medical illness. Many of these faculty are available as research mentors for our residents, including the faculty listed below.
Research faculty
- John Briere, PhD
- Rael Cahn, MD PhD
- Marcelo Coba, PhD
- Robert Featherstone, PhD
- Daniel Holschneider, MD
- Suad Kapetanovic, MD
- Isabel Lagomasino, MD MSHS
- Stuart Murray, PhD
- Eric Pedersen, PhD
- Brad Peterson, MD
- Lon Schneider, MD MS
- Randye Semple, PhD
- Steve Siegel, MD PhD
- Kathryn Smith, PhD
- Jeff Sugar, MD
- Joey Trampush, PhD
Our residents are also highly encouraged to engage in research, both alongside the above research faculty as well as in clinical and quality improvement projects. This is built into the curriculum in several ways:
- Quality Improvement Rotation in PGY1 year
- Dedicated Research Curriculum in PGY3 year
- Mentored Research Project in PGY3 year
- Quality Improvement Project in PGY4 year
Residents are invited to present their projects at our yearly departmental poster session. Winning presentations from our most recent department poster session include:
- “A Focus on Wellness to Improve the Well-Being of Third-Year Psychiatry Residents”
- “Underdiagnosed PTSD in an Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic”
- “Improving Staff Safety at Augustus Hawkins via Implementation of the Modified Golden Hand Designation and Daily Huddle”
Additionally, the department sponsors the Della Martin Research Fellowship, which provides a stipend and project funds for a resident engaging in research during their fourth year and an additional post-residency year. Many of our residents engage in research and clinical interests beyond the planned curriculum, and our residents are very active in presenting at national and international conferences.
National and International Invited Presentations, 2019-2020
- American Psychiatric Association (5)
- Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (3)
- American Society of Addiction Medicine
- American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training
- Society of Biological Psychiatry
- European Psychologists & Psychiatrists Meeting
- Association for Contextual Behavior Science World Conference
- Vizient Connections Education Summit
National and International Invited Presentations, 2018-2019
- American Psychiatric Association (6)
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (2)
- American Association of Directors of Psychiatry Residency Training
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Society of Hospital Medicine
- International Brain Stimulation Conference
- USC Institute for Integrative Health and Wellness
- Metabolic Health Summit
Healthcare Administration Scholars
The Healthcare Administrators Scholars Program (HASP) is a two-year educational program for senior residents interesting in obtaining formal training in healthcare administration through didactics, exposure to hospital leadership, mentorship, and hands on experience. Many of our residents utilize protected time during their third and fourth years to complete this program. The curriculum includes bimonthly didactics from Los Angeles General Medical Center leadership, experts from the Schools of Medicine, Public Policy, Business and Engineering, and leaders from the Los Angeles community.
Awards
Our residents are frequently recognized for their contribution to research, education, and advocacy by regional and national organizations.
Regional and National Awards and Appointments 2019-2020
- American Psychiatric Association
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (2)
- American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
- Society of Biological Psychiatry
- Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry
- American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health
- Austin Riggs Center
- Psychiatric Education and Research Foundation
- Della Martin Foundation (2)
- California Psychiatric Society
- Southern California Psychiatric Society
Regional and National Awards and Appointments 2018-2019
- American Psychiatric Association (4)
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2)
- Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
- American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry
- Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry
- California Society of Addiction Medicine (2)
- Psychiatry Education and Research Foundation
- Della Martin Foundation (2)
- Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety
- California Psychiatric Society
- Southern California Psychiatric Society
- USC Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics
Alumni
Class of 2020
| Fellowship Match | Current Practice Location |
| Forensic – USC | Kaiser (Sylmar) |
| Addiction – University of South Carolina | Kaiser (Downey) |
| Child & Adolescent – UCSF | Los Angeles Department of Mental Health |
| Child & Adolescent – Harbor UCLA | Los Angeles Department of Mental Health |
| Correctional Psychiatry | |
| Group Practice | |
| West Los Angeles VA |
Class of 2019
| Fellowship Match | Current Practice Location |
| Forensic – USC | Kaiser (Montclaire) |
| Consultation-Liaison – Stanford | Los Angeles Department of Mental Health |
| Consultation-Liaison – USC | Ventura County Mental Health |
| Addiction – VA/UCLA | Community and Private Practice |
| Addiction – Baylor | Community and Private Practice |
| Child & Adolescent – University of Maryland | Savant Care and Private Practive |
| USC – Faculty, Assistant Program Director |
Class of 2018
| Fellowship Match | Current Practice Location |
| Child & Adolescent – Northwestern | Kaiser (Oakland) |
| Child & Adolescent – USC | Los Angeles Department of Mental Health |
| Child & Adolescent – UNM | Los Angeles Department of Mental Health |
| Private Practice | |
| Private Practice | |
| Private Practice | |
| Locum Tenens |
Class of 2017
| Fellowship Match | Current Practice Location |
| Child & Adolescent –Harbor UCLA | Private Practice |
| Child & Adolescent – Harbor UCLA | Private Practice |
| Child & Adolescent – USC | Locum Tenens |
| Child & Adolescent – USC | Group Practice |
| Child & Adolescent – UCLA | |
| Forensic – USC | |
| Forensic – USC | |
| Addiction – Baylor | |
| Consultation-Liaison – Harvard Brigham & Women’s |
Class of 2016
| Fellowship Match | Current Practice Location |
| Child & Adolescent – UC Irvine | Los Angeles Department of Mental Health |
| Child & Adolescent – UCSD | Community Psychiatry |
| Child & Adolescent –USC | Community Psychiatry |
| Child & Adolescent – Harbor UCLA | Community Psychiatry and Private Practice |
| Child & Adolescent – Harbor UCLA | Corrections Psychiatry and Locum Tenens |
| Child & Adolescent – Nevada | Corrections Psychiatry and Locum Tenens |
| Consultation-Liaison – Stanford | Group Practice |
| Geriatrics – UCSF | UCSF – Faculty |
| Geriatrics – UCSF | UCSF – Faculty |
| Forensic – USC | USC – Faculty |
| USC – Faculty |
Class of 2015
| Fellowship Match | Current Practice Location |
|---|---|
| Child & Adolescent –UCLA | Community Psychiatry and telepsych |
| Child & Adolescent –UCLA | Community Inpatient/ER Psychiatry |
| Child & Adolescent –USC; Forensic – USC | Community Inpatient Psychiatry |
| Forensic – USC | Locum tenens |
| Forensic – USC | Private Practice |
| Addiction – UCLA San Fernando Valley/VA | Private Practice |
| Psychosomatic Medicine – USC/VA | Private Practice |
| Psychosomatic Medicine – USC/VA | Private Practice |
| Consultation-Liaison – UCLA/San Fernando Valley | Private Practice |
| Cedars Sinai and Private Practice | |
| UCSD – Faculty |