UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology

06/04/2026

Karen Cropsey, Psy.D., was featured in UAB News for research focused on a new approach to reducing opioid overdose deaths.

Supported by a $5.3M NIH grant, the study looks at how fentanyl test strips could help prevent overdoses by identifying exposure before use. It also explores how this approach could reach individuals who are not currently engaged in treatment.

Read more about the research: https://buff.ly/VltUmSV

06/04/2026

Christina Pierpaoli-Parker, Ph.D., shares how small, everyday habits can help declutter the brain and improve mental clarity.

From prioritizing sleep to managing unfinished tasks, these strategies can help reduce cognitive overload and support overall well-being.

“Sleeping is the closest thing we get to directly scrubbing our brains,” Parker said.

Read more from UAB News: https://buff.ly/U8Aq2oy

UAB Heersink School of Medicine | UAB - The University of Alabama at Birmingham

06/01/2026

In honor of Psychometrist Day on May 20, we recognize our dedicated psychometry team and their vital role in patient care! Under the supervision of licensed psychologists, they administer and score assessments that support accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.

05/28/2026

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology’s Office of Psychiatric Clinical Research was proud to participate in Nurture of Alabama’s Mental Health Day at Linn Park!

The event focused on engaging historically marginalized communities and strengthening efforts to expand access to mental health resources. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with the community and support the ongoing work of building healthier, more informed communities.

05/27/2026

A clinical trial led by Peter Hendricks, Ph.D., shows that psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, is safe and effective in treating co***ne use disorder, or CUD.

A UAB clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open finds that psilocybin, combined with therapy, shows promise as a safe and effective treatment for co***ne use disorder, with most participants reducing or stopping use.

05/22/2026

Rebecca Rampe, Psy.D., recently contributed her expertise as a panelist for Women in Healthcare, speaking on “Cultivating Sustainable Resilience for Women in Healthcare.” She also presented a Department of Medicine Grand Rounds lecture on “Patient and Provider Communication: Connection through Compassion.”

Learn more about Women in Healthcare: https://buff.ly/S7kPryM

05/20/2026

Jesseca Scott, CMA, was recognized as a Patient Experience Hero during Patient Experience Week for her hard work and commitment to providing exceptional care.

Congratulations, Jesseca, and thank you for the difference you make every day!

05/19/2026

Happy Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Match!

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Galina Ostrovsky, M.D., John Denton, M.D., and John Vallas, D.O., on matching into our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at UAB Heersink School of Medicine.

These current residents have achieved an exciting milestone, and we look forward to supporting their continued training within the department.

05/18/2026

Shanti James, Ph.D., recently attended the Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Conference in Chicago, where she had the chance to reconnect with colleagues and take part in a national forum focused on behavioral health research and practice. It was a great opportunity to learn, share ideas, and strengthen connections across the field!

05/15/2026

Aaron Fobian, Ph.D., of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, was featured in Birmingham Medical News for leading innovative efforts to expand access to care for functional neurological disorder through telehealth!

Through this work, patients across the country are able to connect with specialized treatment, helping reduce barriers and improve access to care.

Read more:

By Ansley Franco   For many patients living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), the path to diagnosis and treatment can take years. Symptoms may resemble serious neurological conditions such as seizure-like episodes, weakness, paralysis, speech problems and gait disorders, but the root...