Check out our news archive below to learn more about what’s happening in Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences!
Navigating the Emotional Side of Illness through Palliative Psychology
Through palliative psychology, Duke Psychiatry faculty members Katherine Ramos, PhD, and Laura Porter, PhD, are at the forefront of supporting patients in navigating the emotional complexities associated with illness and its impact on their lives.
Zargham Abbas: One Fellow’s Path to Pediatric Consult-Liaison Psychiatry
Second-year child and adolescent psychiatry fellow Zargham Abbas, MD, shares his experiences in the fellowship's consult-liaison psychiatry rotations in inpatient, emergency department, and outpatient settings.
Exploring the Impact of Mindfulness—and Mind Wandering—on Student Well-Being
Mindfulness practices such as meditation have been shown to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and improve one’s sense of well-being. But what is it about these practices that produces these benefits? That’s one of the key questions Duke Psychiatry's Moria Smoski, PhD, and Joseph Diehl, a clinical psychology PhD student, are exploring with an interdisciplinary student research team they co-lead.
Frank Keefe Receives APA Distinguished Scientific Award
Frank Keefe, PhD, professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences, received the American Psychological Association’s 2024 Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology—the highest honor for scientific contribution presented by the APA.
Andres Fuenmayor Receives 2024 James H. Carter, Sr. Community Service Award
Andres Fuenmayor, MD, a second-year psychiatry resident, received this year’s James H. Carter, Sr. Community Service Award. Carter was the first Black full professor of psychiatry at Duke, and the award was established in honor of his dedication to serving the underserved.
Eleven Faculty Members Take on New Leadership Roles in 2023
Congratulations to our faculty members who were appointed to new leadership roles at the departmental, institutional, statewide, national, and international levels this past year!
Traumatic Stress Associated With Smaller Brain Region
Brain scans analyzed in a Duke Psychiatry-led global study give the clearest picture yet of how PTSD is associated with smaller cerebellums, a part of the brain linked to emotion and memory. The next step is to explore what came first: the smaller brain or the PTSD? The research might lead to individualized and targeted PTSD treatments.
Growing the Next Generation of Psychology & Psychiatry Researchers
Enriching the careers of our faculty members, providers, trainees, staff, and interns is an integral component of Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences’ strategic plan. In recent years, department leaders have worked diligently to bring this goal to fruition for our research mission.
Improving Medical Care for Autistic Patients at Duke Health and Beyond
Going to the doctor can be stressful, particularly for individuals on the autism spectrum, who often have unique sensitivities and needs. Faculty and staff in the Duke Center for Autism & Brain Development are working to support Duke Health clinicians in providing appropriate care for people on the spectrum.
Partnerships are Key to Increasing Capacity for Autism Services in Low-Resource Communities
A team led by researchers from Duke University and the University of Cape Town aims to test a contextually adapted autism intervention informed by the Early Denver Start Model for young children in South Africa, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to early autism interventions in low-resource communities.