Check out our news archive below to learn more about what’s happening in Duke Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences!
Terrie Moffitt Receives Royal Honor From the British Monarchy
Terrie Moffitt, PhD, Nannerl O. Keohane University Distinguished Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience, who also holds an appointment in Duke Psychiatry, has received the title Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, commonly known as the MBE. The honor was presented to Moffitt by King Charles III in recognition of her outstanding scientific achievement and service to the U.K.
Nancy Zucker’s New Book Uses Humor to Help Clinicians Treat Kids’ Abdominal Pain
In a novel intervention developed by Nancy Zucker, PhD, children with functional abdominal pain are introduced to a fun and relatable cast of characters, including Georgia the Gut Growler, Harold the Hunger Pain, and Thirsty Theo, to name just a few. She and co-authors Katharine Loeb, PhD, and Marty Gagliano, MD, recently published a book to guide primary care clinicians on delivering this treatment protocol.
Opinion: Banning Menthol Cigarettes Will Lead to a Healthier North Carolina
In December, the Biden administration announced it will delay its decision to ban menthol in cigarettes. In this opinion piece in the Fayetteville Observer, Duke Psychiatry's Joseph McClernon, PhD, and other experts argue that a delay in moving forward with the ban will cost lives and will be a devastating setback for the nearly 500,000 North Carolinians who currently smoke menthol cigarettes and the countless North Carolinians who become addicted to menthol cigarettes in the future.
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.