Psychiatry Staff Spotlight: Libby DiDomizio

I am the Lab Manager for the Yale Depression Research Program (YDRP), led by Drs. Sam Wilkinson, Sophie Holmes, and Jerry Sanacora. Our team conducts clinical trials focused on depression, including studies involving ketamine and other psychedelic treatments. One of our major trials is a non-inferiority study comparing IV ketamine to nasal esketamine, and we’re also preparing to launch a study examining psilocybin as a treatment for depression in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. In my role, I help oversee the day-to-day operations of the lab and support all aspects of our clinical research.

I received my Master of Public Health from Yale in 2019, focusing on the epidemiology of infectious diseases. I continued as a postgraduate associate in Yale’s Department of Internal Medicine within the Section of Infectious Diseases, which gave me the opportunity to work closely with people who inject drugs and better understand the challenges they face. I became increasingly interested in the psychiatric comorbidities that often intersect with substance use and chronic illness, and that experience ultimately led me to explore psychiatric research at Yale and apply to the YDRP lab.

Transitioning from a public health-focused lab into the world of clinical trials was a big learning experience. One of the most valuable aspects of my role has been gaining exposure to every stage of the research process, including study start-up, regulatory management, budgeting, contracts, participant recruitment, and operational planning. Understanding how these pieces connect has helped me become more effective at managing projects and supporting the research process as a whole.

I also feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside leaders in psychiatric research who are conducting innovative and impactful work. Being around people who are actively advancing this work is a privilege, and it has given me a deeper appreciation for how the field is evolving.

Because my background was not originally in clinical trials, I’m interested in pursuing certification as a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP). I have also considered pursuing an additional graduate degree in the future, particularly as my interests continue to evolve within research and clinical operations. For now, I focus on growing by taking on new challenges in my role and learning from the people around me. Working in a fast-moving research environment has pushed me to be more proactive about building new skills and taking advantage of opportunities as they come up.

One thing that stands out to me about our lab is how supportive and collaborative the team is. We work very closely together and have built a culture that balances hard work with strong team rapport, while staying deeply focused on the patient experience. There is a real emphasis on providing participants with the best possible support throughout the research process.

We also work closely with Interventional Psychiatric Services (IPS) at Yale Psychiatric Hospital, which allows us to recruit directly from the hospital setting. This gives us the opportunity to work with individuals who are actively seeking treatment and to help connect eligible patients with clinical research studies involving emerging psychiatric therapies. That close integration between clinical care and research is, I believe, a particularly meaningful aspect of the work we do.

Outside of work, my fiancé and I recently bought our first home, which has been both exciting and a little overwhelming! It’s a fixer-upper, so we’ve been spending a lot of time working on small projects and figuring out how to make the space feel like our own. Really, though, we’re just happy that our dog Theo finally has a backyard of his own to enjoy. With summer just around the corner, we’re looking forward to spending more time outside playing fetch and relaxing together.

I spent a few months in Malaysia conducting my thesis work back in 2018, but I couldn’t travel much while I was there because most of my time was spent on research. I would love to return someday and explore more of Southeast Asia at a slower pace, since there is still so much I didn’t get to see. One place that has stayed on my list is the Golden Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam, a pedestrian bridge supported by giant stone hands that overlooks the mountains. I regret not making it there and still hope to visit one day!