News and Events
Celebrating Research Excellence: Honoring Our Research Track Residents
We are proud to recognize two Research Track residents whose recent national recognitions highlight their scholarly excellence, dedication to academic psychiatry, and growing impact in the field.
Congratulations to Drs. Isabel Draper and Alan Courtes!
We are proud to congratulate Dr. Isabel Draper and Dr. Alan C. Courtes on their selection as Associate Editors for the American Journal of Psychiatry – Residents’ Journal Editorial Board for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The American Journal of Psychiatry – Residents’ Journal is a nationally recognized, trainee-led publication dedicated to providing a forum for medical students, psychiatry
residents, and fellows to share perspectives on psychiatric education, clinical practice, research, and professional development. The journal is distinguished by its collaborative peer-review process, which emphasizes mentorship and constructive feedback while supporting the scholarly growth of trainees.
As Associate Editors, Drs. Draper and Courtes will play an integral role in the journal by peer-reviewing manuscripts, making editorial decisions, recruiting authors and guest editors, and collaborating with the editorial leadership to develop innovative content that advances psychiatric education and scholarship.
This prestigious appointment reflects their commitment to academic excellence, scholarship, and leadership within the field of psychiatry. We congratulate them on this outstanding achievement and look forward to the contributions they will make to the American Journal of Psychiatry – Residents’ Journal.
Dr. Namrata Walia Awarded the Alexandra Symonds Fellowship
Dr. Namrata Walia, PGY4 Research Track Resident Senator, has been selected as a recipient of the Alexandra Symonds Fellowship by the Association of Women Psychiatrists. This highly competitive fellowship is awarded to early career psychiatrists who demonstrate exceptional promise in research, leadership, mentorship, and service to the field of psychiatry.
Dr. Walia’s work centers on advancing evidence‑based approaches to substance use care, with a particular focus on harm reduction, trauma, and underserved populations. Her research and scholarly contributions reflect a strong commitment to improving patient centered care while addressing systemic barriers within behavioral health. This fellowship recognizes both her academic accomplishments and her leadership potential as an emerging clinician scientist.
Dr. Keiko Kunitoki Selected for the 2026 APA Research Colloquium
Dr. Keiko Kunitoki, PGY3 Research Track Resident, has been selected to participate in the 2026 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Research Colloquium for Junior Psychiatrist Investigators. The APA Research Colloquium is a prestigious national program designed to support promising early career investigators through mentorship, career development, and research dissemination opportunities.
Dr. Kunitoki’s research focuses on identifying neurobiological mechanisms and novel neuromodulation targets for negative symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Her selection reflects the rigor, innovation, and clinical relevance of her work, as well as her strong potential for a successful career in academic psychiatry and translational research.
These recognitions underscore the strength of our Research Track and the exceptional caliber of our trainees. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Walia and Dr. Kunitoki on these well deserved honors.
Resident Achievement Highlight: Rishab Chawla Publishes in Academic Psychiatry
We are pleased to highlight a recent scholarly achievement by Rishab Chawla, MD, a PGY2 child track resident, who has published an article in Academic Psychiatry, a leading peer reviewed journal focused on psychiatric education and training.
In this reflective piece, Dr. Chawla shares insights from his October clinical rotation with Dr. Cassidy, exploring key educational takeaways and lessons learned through mentorship and supervised clinical practice. The article emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, thoughtful supervision, and reflective practice during residency training, offering insights relevant to trainees and educators alike.
Dr. Chawla’s publication reflects a strong commitment to academic medicine and professional growth, and highlights the ability of our residents to translate meaningful clinical experiences into scholarly contributions. It also underscores the strength of faculty mentorship within our department and the educational environment that supports resident scholarship.
We congratulate Dr. Chawla on this accomplishment and thank Dr. Cassidy for fostering an educational experience that inspired this work.
The article is available online through Academic Psychiatry:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40596-026-02341-9 (external link)