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.
Residents and Faculty Mentor Publish Work on Harm Reduction Education
Congratulations to Dr. Ethan Faries, PGY3 Research Track Resident, recent graduate Dr. Namrata Walia, along with their faculty mentor, Dr. Jane Hamilton, on the publication of their work, “Evidence-Based Harm Reduction Training via ECHO: A Mentor-Facilitated Educational Training for Behavioral Health Providers,” in The American Journal on Addictions.
Published in 2026, the article highlights an educational approach using the ECHO model and faculty mentorship to strengthen behavioral health providers’ knowledge and application of evidence-based harm reduction practices.
The publication reflects the important role that mentorship can play in resident scholarship and professional development while addressing an important area of behavioral health education. Through this work, Drs. Walia and Faries contribute to efforts to expand access to evidence-based harm reduction education and support behavioral health professionals caring for individuals affected by substance use.
Congratulations to Drs. Walia, Faries, and Hamilton on this scholarly achievement and their contribution to the field of addiction and behavioral health education.
Publication:
Walia, N., Faries, E., & Hamilton, J.E. (2026). Evidence-Based Harm Reduction Training via ECHO: A Mentor-Facilitated Educational Training for Behavioral Health Providers. The American Journal on Addictions. DOI: 10.1111/ajad.70204
PGY-1 Research Track Resident Salih Cayir Recognized for Research Achievements
The Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is proud to recognize Salih Cayir, MD, PGY-1 Research Track resident, for two recent accomplishments highlighting his commitment to advancing psychiatric research.
Dr. Cayir was selected to receive an NNDC 2026 Annual Conference Travel Award, supporting his participation in the National Network of Depression Centers Annual Conference.
He also recently celebrated the publication of his first first-author study affiliated with UTHealth Houston in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. The study, “Associations Between Dopaminergic and Serotonergic Systems in Individuals with Cocaine Use Disorder: An Exploratory Analysis of [¹¹C]PHNO and [¹¹C]P943 PET Imaging,” uses PET imaging to examine relationships between dopamine and serotonin systems in individuals with cocaine use disorder.
As a member of the Psychiatry Residency Research Track, Dr. Cayir continues to build upon his interests in translational neuroimaging and the neurobiology of psychiatric and substance use disorders.
Congratulations to Dr. Cayir and his collaborators on this exciting achievement!
Read the full article in Drug and Alcohol Dependence (external link)
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)