Interdisciplinary T32 Postdoctoral Training in Developmental Psychobiology, Psychopathology and Behavior
Our mission is to train postdoctoral fellows to become independent researchers focused on improving the lives of infants, children, adolescents and young adults with developmental psychopathology.
The post-doctoral fellowship is supported by NIMH grant (T32 MH015442). It was originally funded in 1978, renewed in 2022.
The fellowship is separate, but benefits from the Developmental Psychobiology Research Group (DPRG; see Research tab of the Department of Psychiatry Website). That interdisciplinary and collaborative group of developmental faculty researchers represents a biweekly seminar series and special events, which the T32 post-doctoral fellows attend. These seminars allow for innumerable formal and informal interactions between faculty and fellows. Between 2009-2019, faculty/fellows produced over 700 collaborative publications and $80 million in research awards. Many of the T32 training faculty are former T32 post-doctoral fellows. The DPRG is underwritten by an endowment fund (1.9M+ in 2019), which provides small grant awards (approx. $7,500) with priority given to applications from our T32 post-doctoral fellows. Overall there is a highly collaborative and nurturing relationship between the activities of the DPRG and T32 training program.
Developmental Psychobiology
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is offering a postdoctoral research training program to train MD's, PhD's, PsyD’s, and DMV’s for research careers in developmental psychobiology, with special emphasis on the development of maladaptive behavior. The Department of Psychiatry has a long history of involvement in developmental research. Within the Department, there is presently a multidisciplinary group of investigators, the Developmental Psychobiology Research Group (or DPRG). These researchers represent productive career involvement as independent investigators of developmental research techniques, some of which are technologically unique while utilizing a comparative approach to the problem of understanding development. Subject populations in the past have ranged from humans through nonhuman primates to neuronal and glial cell culture. Select members of this group serve as faculty for an NIMH T32 research training program. Because of ties to NIMH, problems with clinical relevance are continually the forefront.
Program
A two-year training program is offered which includes a Core Curriculum with formal coursework completed by all trainees and individual research projects with one or more T32 faculty. The Core Curriculum of the training program consists of seminar participation, coursework, an introduction to Training Faculty and their research, as well as an emphasis on writing and publication. The trainees completing this program will be well-versed in the basic concepts of developmental psychobiology and in a variety of research techniques. In addition, they will have completed an independent research project in at least one laboratory.
Please click here to view program policies.
Biomarkers
Our training faculty are nationally recognized in the development of biomarkers including endocrine, immune, and neurophysiological indices as early markers of risk and predictors of response to treatment.
Epidemiology
Advances in developmental psychobiology can only have major impact if we understand the relationship of psychobiology with systems, epidemiology and outcomes. The DPRG includes training faculty who focus on practical application of psychobiological knowledge.
Genetics
Our faculty apply genetics and molecular biology to understand typical developmental psychobiology as well as psychopathology and are widely recognized for translating this knowledge into clinical relevance and translation.
Neuroimaging
Faculty utilize neuroimaging, including structural and functional MRI and magneto-encephalography (MEG), to study developmental issues in disorders as diverse as ADHD, autism, and psychotic disorders.
Phenomenology
The DPRG faculty identify the study of developmental phenomenology, that is, knowing when and how illness progresses, as a critical component of developmental psychobiology and psychopathology research.
Treatment / Intervention
A major goal of developmental psychobiological research is the development of new interventions aimed at both treating and preventing psychopathological illness. Our faculty are national leaders in the translation of psychobiological knowledge into novel interventions.
Postdocs
Faculty
| Faculty Name | Institution | Research Topics |
Anthony, Laura Profile: Laura Anthony, PhD | CU Anschutz | Autism, ADHD, Executive Functioning, Children and Youth |
Bale, Tracy Profile: Tracy Bale, PhD | CU Anschutz | Mechanisms by which stress and trauma impact brain development and function across the lifespan and across generations. |
Banich, Marie Profile: Marie T. Banich, PhD | CU Boulder | Cognitive neuroscience and human neuropsychology |
Benke, Tim Profile: Tim Benke, MD, PhD | CU Anschutz | Cellular mechanisms by which early life seizures (ELS) subvert the processes of normal neuronal development
|
Davis, Elysia Profile: Elysia Poggi Davis, PhD | University of Denver | Prenatal/early origins of behavioral health and development |
Epperson, Neill Profile: C. Neill Epperson, MD | CU Anschutz | Individual and interactive effects of childhood adversity, sex as a biological variable (SABV) and neuroendocrinology on risk and resilience for mood, cognitive and substance use disorders across the lifespan |
Hopfer, Christian Profile: Christian Hopfer, MD | CU Anschutz | Clinical epidemiology and behavioral genetics of conduct disorder |
Hutchison, Kent Profile: Kent Hutchison, PhD | CU Anschutz | Cannabinoids, endocannabinoids, inflammation, and the brain. Comparison of the effects of CBD only products, THC combined with CBD, or THC only on cognitive outcomes, anxiety, and pain using mobile pharmacology lab |
Law, Amanda Profile: Amanda Law, PhD | CU Anschutz | Molecular and cellular mechanisms of genetic susceptibility to severe psychiatric disorders |
Legget, Kristina Profile: Kristina Legget, PhD | CU Anschutz | Overweight/Obesity; Autism |
Maclean, Ken Profile: Ken Maclean, PhD | CU Anschutz | Animal models of down syndrome and autism |
Novins, Douglas Profile: Douglas K. Novins, MD | CU Anschutz | Special problems of American Indian adolescents |
Reaven, Judy Profile: Judy Reaven, PhD | CU Anschutz | Autism Spectrum Disorder and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms, especially treatment of anxiety |
Rojas, Donald Profile: Donald Rojas, PhD | Colorado State University | Brain imaging in neurodevelopmental disorders |
Sakai, Joseph Profile: Joseph Sakai, MD | CU Anschutz | Better understanding the biological basis of adolescent substance and conduct problems |
Taussig, Heather Profile: Heather Taussig, PhD | University of Denver and University of Colorado | Preventive intervention research with youth who have experienced extreme adversity, including maltreated youth with child welfare involvement |
Tregellas, Jason Profile: Jason Tregellas, PhD | CU Anschutz | The development of neuropathology in schizophrenia, using fMR |
Watamura, Sarah Profile: Sarah Enos Watamura, PhD | University of Denver | Children's physiologic regulation, their development within care giving contexts, and relations between physiologic regulation and physical and psychological health |
Affiliate Faculty
| Faculty Name | Institution | Research Topics |
Berkowitz, Steven Profile: Steven Berkowitz, MD | CU Anschutz | Trauma and chronic adverse experiences |
Mikulich-Gilbertson, Susan Profile: Susan Mikulich-Gilbertson, PhD | CU Anschutz | Biostatistics |
Schacht, Joseph Profile: Joseph Schacht, PhD | CU Anschutz | Behavioral genetics, functional neuroimaging, experimental pharmacology, and “human laboratory” paradigms |
Stoddard, Joel Profile: Joel Stoddard, MD | CU Anschutz | Irritability and anxiety in children, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia |
Talmi, Ayelet Profile: Ayelet Talmi, PhD | CU Anschutz | Early childhood and infant mental health, integrating behavioral health into primary care, early childhood systems building, advocacy, and policy |
The mandatory training program curriculum includes a writing group organized by the fellows and attended by faculty members, attendance at biweekly DPRG Seminars, and coursework on the Responsible Conduct of Research. Additional coursework is tailored to the needs of the individual trainee, and includes classes at the University of Denver, the University of Colorado, and other institutions.
The DPRG seminar series has continued on a regular basis since 1970. It has become a focus for many of the group's activities, as well as for stimulating the involvement of developmental investigators from outside our department or the University of Colorado Denver. It serves as a medium for the presentation of ongoing research, critical literature review, and for the presentation of new research methods and findings, as well as in-depth treatment of conceptual issues by members of our group and visiting scientists.
The DPRG holds a biennial retreat during the latter part of May or early June. Participants include members of the DPRG, as well as several nationally recognized scholars and investigators in the general area of developmental psychobiology. Each retreat addresses a separate topic within the general realm of developmental psychobiology.
Individuals with MD, PhD, PsyD or DVM will be considered. Women, minority candidates, and individuals with disabilities or from disadvantaged economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or possess a green card.
Early application is recommended. Please submit your application materials no later than 5:00PM MST on December 1st, 2023.
Those interested in applying should:
- Contact Angel Tran (DPRG@ucdenver.edu)
- Identify and contact a faculty mentor (this is an important step)
- Through ongoing conversations with their proposed mentor, develop a research plan that will be an important aspect of your application
- Complete and submit the application.
Successful applicants begin this process 3-4 months before the application due date. Please note that the applicant’s research plan must clearly state how it aligns with the NIMH Strategic Research Priorities (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/strategic-planning-reports/strategic-research-priorities/index.shtml).
Additional questions regarding the training experience and mentors can be directed to the postdoc coordinator, Angel Tran at DPRG@ucdenver.edu.
Please fill out the following online application form. You may save the partially completed form and will receive an email link that is good for 30 days to return and continue editing. Each time you return to the form and save you will get another email with a link good for 30 days.
Please follow the instructions included with the application for final submission. Also, please do not submit until you are completely finished with your application.
For questions, please contact DPRG@ucdenver.edu.
Please click here to view current stipends.