https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-rss/?orgId=119357&title=Latest+News+from+Fernandez+Lab A selection of the latest research, academic, and other newsworthy developments at Fernandez Lab en-us Copyright 2026 Yale School of Medicine Thu, 14 May 2026 20:23:23 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/recognizing-long-term-service-ycsc/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/recognizing-long-term-service-ycsc/ Thirty-five Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) faculty and staff members were recognized for long-term service at Yale as of fiscal year 2026. YCSC community members gather annually each spring to mark milestone work anniversaries at a departmental community meeting. Thu, 07 May 2026 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/effects-of-social-media-youth-mental-health/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/effects-of-social-media-youth-mental-health/ Four new research projects have been funded through a new social media pilot research award made possible through a generous donation to Yale Child Study Center. Several pilot studies have been launched to investigate the impacts of social media on child and adolescent mental health and development. Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:00:00 Z https://neurosciencenews.com/genetics-ocd-29292/ https://neurosciencenews.com/genetics-ocd-29292/ In a groundbreaking study, researchers have linked rare “de novo” genetic mutations—copy number variants (CNVs)—to pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Wed, 18 Jun 2025 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/ycsc-long-term-service-2025/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/ycsc-long-term-service-2025/ Approximately 70 members of the Yale Child Study Center community recently gathered together in a hybrid format—both in-person and by Zoom—to celebrate 46 YCSC faculty and staff members being honored for their respective years of service at Yale University, from five up to 40 years. Wed, 14 May 2025 12:00:00 Z https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02189-z#Sec34 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02189-z#Sec34 A genome-wide analyses in Nature Genetics identified 30 independent loci associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder, highlighting genetic overlap with other psychiatric disorders and implicating putative effector genes and cell types contributing to its etiology. Marco Galimberti, PhD, associate research scientist, is co-first author. Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2024-25-ycsc-postdoc-travel-awardees/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2024-25-ycsc-postdoc-travel-awardees/ The results of the second round of Yale Child Study Center postdoctoral scholar travel awards were announced on January 10, 2025, with kudos to award recipients Rebecca Etkin, Stella Jackman-Ryan, and Brianna Cairney. Fri, 07 Feb 2025 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/olfson-young-investigator-award/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/olfson-young-investigator-award/ Yale Child Study Center Assistant Professor Emily Olfson is one of four 2024 Young Investigator Award recipients from the Tourette Association of America (TAA). Each awardee will receive $150,000 over two years to support their Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorder research. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 19:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/adhd-dna-study/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/adhd-dna-study/ Recently released study findings from researchers at the Yale Child Study Center and Yale Department of Psychiatry indicate that rare genetic changes that are spontaneous – and not inherited from parents – may contribute to the underpinnings of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mon, 05 Aug 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2024-trainee-research-awardees/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2024-trainee-research-awardees/ Lyndsey Chong, Elizabeth Edgar, and Max Rolison were selected as recipients of the third annual Yale Child Study Center Trainee Pilot Research Awards. The awards provide research funding for trainees currently enrolled in a YCSC training program for initial pilot research projects relevant to child mental health. Mon, 08 Jul 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/trainees-recognized-ycsc-graduation/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/trainees-recognized-ycsc-graduation/ The Yale Child Study Center honored forty trainees in the class of 2024 at an annual departmental commencement event on June 21, 2024. YCSC Professor Michael Bloch delivered a keynote speech, and the event was followed by a reception for graduates and their families. Tue, 25 Jun 2024 14:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/research-families-practitioners/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/research-families-practitioners/ A new webpage has been launched at the Yale Child Study Center to allow families and referring practitioners – and soon school-based personnel – to view and access more than 30 research participation opportunities at the center. Fri, 21 Jun 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2024-residents-fellows-honored-at-annual-commencement-ceremonies/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2024-residents-fellows-honored-at-annual-commencement-ceremonies/ Twenty five residents graduated from the Yale Department of Psychiatry Residency Program at a ceremony June 20 at the New Haven Lawn Club. Fri, 21 Jun 2024 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/ycsc-2024-summer-interns/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/ycsc-2024-summer-interns/ On June 3, 2024, the YCSC welcomed 17 undergraduate students from 11 universities and colleges around the country as participants in the center’s developmental science summer internship program. Mon, 10 Jun 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/bonomi-lee-abdallah-honored-with-lustman-awards/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/bonomi-lee-abdallah-honored-with-lustman-awards/ Yale Department of Psychiatry residents Robin Bonomi, MD, PhD; Yang Jae Lee, MD; and Sarah Abdallah, MD, have been named the 2024 recipients of the Lustman Award for Psychiatric Research. Tue, 28 May 2024 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/autism-conference-at-yale-highlights-latest-research-and-clinical-advances/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/autism-conference-at-yale-highlights-latest-research-and-clinical-advances/ The fifth annual early autism conference at Yale took place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, with approximately 100 participants. The event was hosted by the Yale Child Study Center Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism (SANA) Program, directed by Emily Fraser Beedy Professor Kasia Chawarska. Fri, 10 May 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/abdallah-bhatt-kietzman-honored-with-departments-detre-awards/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/abdallah-bhatt-kietzman-honored-with-departments-detre-awards/ Residents Sarah Abdallah, MD; Shivani Bhatt, MD, PhD; and Henry Kietzman, MD, PhD, have been named recipients of the 2024 Thomas P. Detre Fellowship Award in Translational Neuroscience Research in Psychiatry. Fri, 10 May 2024 04:00:00 Z https://theuptic.buzzsprout.com/2266285/14938526-research-based-treatment-of-tics-ocd-and-depression https://theuptic.buzzsprout.com/2266285/14938526-research-based-treatment-of-tics-ocd-and-depression YCSC Associate Research Scientist Angeli Landeros was interviewed by Michael Leopold for his podcast, UpTic, discussing the current state of research and the latest breakthroughs in treating tics and co-occurring conditions such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and depression. Tue, 23 Apr 2024 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/spring-2024-postgraduate-associate-travel-awards/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/spring-2024-postgraduate-associate-travel-awards/ The results of the Yale Child Study Center Spring 2024 round of awards for the department’s postgraduate travel award have been announced. The award offers $500 toward travel expenses for YCSC postgraduate associates attending national or international scientific conferences. Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/renewal-yale-child-study-center/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/renewal-yale-child-study-center/ Drawing inspiration from spring’s magical rebirth, the latest Yale Child Study Center “On Leadership” blog post focuses on moments of professional renewal and rejuvenation shared by a few members of the department. Thu, 11 Apr 2024 18:30:00 Z https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f4I_lAci9ZB7BYnI3A15RCVbNQ9RNJdn/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f4I_lAci9ZB7BYnI3A15RCVbNQ9RNJdn/view?usp=sharing Complex motor stereotypies, or stereotyped movements, are repetitive and rhythmic movements that usually start in early childhood and often continue into adulthood. The movements may include hand flapping, waving, rotating or tensing of body parts, and are observed just as frequently in both boys and girls. It is worth noting that children often develop their own "signature" movement patterns. Some may flap their arms while walking in circles, while others may repeatedly shrug their shoulders or tense their hands. Complex motor stereotypies may be distinguished from simple motor stereotypies. The latter are common in early childhood, and include nail biting, tapping or fidgeting, and usually disappear as children grow older. Complex motor stereotypies are frequently observed in children with autism, developmental delays, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], anxiety, and some neurological conditions. However, they also occur in children who are developing typically. Mon, 05 Feb 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/fall-2023-spark-award-recipients-announced/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/fall-2023-spark-award-recipients-announced/ The Yale Institute for Global Health has selected Thomas Fernandez, MD; Eleanor Reid, MD, PhD; and Vanessa Ezenwa, PhD to receive the Fall 2023 Spark Award. Each recipient will receive an award of up to $10,000. The Spark Award aims to provide initial funding to support global health research initiatives and partnerships among YIGH-affiliated faculty. Candidates were selected based on five criteria: innovation, feasibility, sustainability, anticipated outcomes, and alignment with YIGH’s mission to improve the health of individuals and populations worldwide. Below is a summary of the Fall 2023 Spark Award projects and their Principal Investigators: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 05:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/october-2023-ycsc-faculty-fund-awardees/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/october-2023-ycsc-faculty-fund-awardees/ YCSC faculty members Amanda Dettmer, PhD; Anamaria Orozco, LCSW; and Ellen Hoffman, MD, PhD are the recipients of the latest round of awards for the departmental Clinical and Research Faculty Development Fund. Tue, 14 Nov 2023 19:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/ycsc-celebrates-professional-progression/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/ycsc-celebrates-professional-progression/ Several members of the Yale Child Study Center community recently came together in person to celebrate and recognize recent academic and professional progression among faculty and staff. Department Chair Linda Mayes (pictured) provided opening remarks and served cake to attendees. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2023-residency-commencement-ceremony/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/2023-residency-commencement-ceremony/ The Yale Department of Psychiatry honored its 2023 class of residents and fellows, as well as faculty and staff, at its annual commencement ceremonies last month. The Residency Commencement Ceremony was held on June 15 at the New Haven Lawn Club. The Fellowship Commencement Ceremony was held virtually over Zoom on June 16. The events marked the graduation of 23 residents and 22 fellows. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 11:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-july-2023/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/welcoming-new-ycsc-community-members-july-2023/ In addition to new clinical trainees and undergraduate summer interns, the Yale Child Study Center welcomes several research trainees each summer. This year, two returning community members were also welcomed back to the department along with several new outstanding research trainees. Learn more about these new additions to the department. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/yale-child-study-center-welcomes-2023-summer-interns/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/yale-child-study-center-welcomes-2023-summer-interns/ The Yale Child Study Center, which serves as the department of child psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine, welcomes 24 undergraduate students from 11 universities and colleges around the country to the center's developmental science summer internship program this June and July. Thu, 08 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/recognizing-ycsc-faculty-and-staff-for-long-term-service-at-yale/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/recognizing-ycsc-faculty-and-staff-for-long-term-service-at-yale/ Thirty-nine Yale Child Study Center community members were recognized this spring for long-term service to the University. Wed, 07 Jun 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/spring-2023-postgraduate-travel-awardees-announced/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/spring-2023-postgraduate-travel-awardees-announced/ The results of the Yale Child Study Center Spring 2023 round of awards for the department’s postgraduate travel award were announced on May 22. The award which offers $500 toward travel expenses for postgraduate associates attending national or international scientific conferences. Wed, 24 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/april-2023-ycsc-faculty-development-fund-awardees-announced/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/april-2023-ycsc-faculty-development-fund-awardees-announced/ The results of the April 2023 round of awards for the Yale Child Study Center's Clinical and Research Faculty Development Fund were announced on May 3. This annual fund supports clinical and research faculty with a primary appointment at the YCSC. The purpose is to provide start-up funds to develop research, educational, and clinical efforts that will contribute to faculty growth and development. Thu, 04 May 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/enock-teefe-and-jose-jaime-martinez-magana-receive-2023-kavli-postdoctoral-award-for-academic-diversity/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/enock-teefe-and-jose-jaime-martinez-magana-receive-2023-kavli-postdoctoral-award-for-academic-diversity/ Enock Teefe, MD, from the laboratory of Thomas Fernandez, MD, and co-mentored by Christopher Pittenger, MD, PhD, and José Jaime Martínez-Magaña, PhD, from the laboratory of Janitza Montalvo-Ortiz, PhD, have been selected to receive the 2023 Kavli Postdoctoral Award for Academic Diversity. Tue, 17 Jan 2023 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/yale-child-study-center-tic-and-ocd-program-designated-center-of-excellence/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/yale-child-study-center-tic-and-ocd-program-designated-center-of-excellence/ Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) Associate Professors Thomas Fernandez, MD and Michael Bloch, MD were recently notified by the Tourette Association of America (TAA) that the center’s Tic and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Program has been renewed as a TAA Center of Excellence. Wed, 14 Sep 2022 04:00:00 Z https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/yale-child-study-center-recognizes-long-term-service-of-faculty-staff/ https://websites4-live-prod.ysmdevs.com/lab/fernandez/news-article/yale-child-study-center-recognizes-long-term-service-of-faculty-staff/ Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) community members came together via zoom on June 29, 2022 to continue the Center’s tradition of honoring long-term service to the University. Thu, 30 Jun 2022 04:00:00 Z