2024 Research Day provides valuable opportunity for young investigators

The third UTHealth Houston Psychiatry Research Day was held Wednesday, Aug. 14, with the enthusiastic support of Scott Lane, PhD; Anilkumar Pillai, PhD; and Vineeth John, MD, MBA.

Research Day gives young investigators who are working on studies a chance to share their findings with fellow colleagues and faculty members. This gives them valuable feedback and a chance to practice for presentations later in their careers at conferences and other events.

As the department has grown, the Psychiatry Residency Training Program, the Career Development and Research Excellence Program in Psychiatry, and the Psychology Internship Program have also grown. The number of participants who are presenting research and engaging in this research day has increased substantially.

“The important thing that’s happening is a lot of our trainees and junior faculty here are interacting and meeting each other for the first time,” Lane said. “That’s good for understating the dynamics of the department and rapport. Sometimes, this can lead to collaboration. It’s really good for bringing all the various units and programs in department together.”

Antonio Pagán, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in the department, runs the Launching! To Adulthood Program, and was excited to present his work at research day.

“It’s been really beneficial to let other people learn about this and how many people need this program,” Pagán said. “It’s been awesome to share that and help other people realize the need for this type of intervention.”

The fourth Research Day will be held next summer.