1. Department of Psychiatry
brain image

Research

The Department of Psychiatry at Icahn Mount Sinai is a national model for translating scientific discoveries into treatment for patients. Every day, we collaborate with researchers locally, nationally, and around the world to extend the impact of our research.

As part of the academic arm of the Mount Sinai Health System, we are uniquely positioned to rapidly translate our research discoveries into patient care. We partner across disciplines to ensure that our investigations continue to push the boundaries of clinical innovation.

Continuously ranked in the top 10 for National Institutes of Health funding in psychiatry, our Department includes:

  • Seven appointments in the National Academy of Medicine Appointees
  • Two appointments in the National Academy of Science
  • A total active grant portfolio of $70 million for 2023

Our Laboratories

With more than 40 laboratories, the Department of Psychiatry offers robust research opportunities for any scientist, student, resident, or fellow. Our laboratories include a dynamic range of investigative focus areas, such as identifying the neurobiological mechanisms of severe psychiatric illness, studies on PTSD and resilience, perinatal health, and brain epigenetics.

Our Centers, Institutes, and Programs

ADHD and Related Disorders Center of Excellence

Translating research into expert care for those with ADHD.

Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai

Harnessing research-backed treatment options to treat those facing the challenges of addiction.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Dedicated to the study and development of pioneering treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment

Discover our genetics-first approach to identifying and treating autism.

Child Behavioral Health and Science Center

Providing scientific insight and care for children with depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.

Center for Complex Trauma

Advancing the science and treatment of child traumatic stress disorders.

Center for Computational Psychiatry

Learn more about one of the fastest growing areas of neuropsychiatry.

Nash Family Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics

Focusing on innovative research strategies to combat medication-resistant neuropsychiatric disorders.

The Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment

Discovering the fundamental causes of depression and anxiety to drive new treatment options.

Epigenomics

Exploring the cellular and molecular pathology of the human brain to unravel the mechanisms of psychiatric disease.

Jeff and Lisa Blau Adolescent Consultation Center for Resilience and Treatment

Focusing primarily on schizophrenia and related psychiatric disorders.

Mood and Personality Disorders Research Program

Harnessing neuroscience to expand our understanding of personality disorders.

Center for Disease Neurogenomics

Promoting precision psychiatry through genetic, cellular, and molecular research.

Neuropsychoimaging of Addiction and Related Conditions Research Program

Discover our multimodality imaging approach to substance use disorders.

Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma

Examining the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Psychosis Risk Program

Providing evidence-based treatment for teenagers and young adults experiencing changes in mood and behavior.

Center for Stress, Resilience, and Personal Growth

Offering research-driven mental health services for Icahn Mount Sinai students, residents, and fellows.

Tics, OCD, and Related Disorders Research Program

Unravelling the complex causes behind these challenging conditions.

Traumatic Stress Program

Promoting clinical research to help us better understand the underlying biology of PTSD.

Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in the Bronx

Pursuing a discovery-to-recovery approach to develop treatments for individuals with severe mental illness.

Women’s Mental Health Center

Focusing on women’s mental health before, during, and after pregnancy.

National Academy of Medicine Appointees

Joseph D Buxbaum, PhD
Joseph D Buxbaum, PhD
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Genetics and Genomic Sciences
Dennis S Charney, MD
Dennis S Charney, MD
DEAN | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
Kenneth L Davis, MD
Kenneth L Davis, MD
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
Yasmin Hurd, PhD
Yasmin Hurd, PhD
DIRECTOR, ADDICTION INSTITUTE AT MOUNT SINAI
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
Helen S Mayberg, MD
Helen S Mayberg, MD
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
PROFESSOR | Neurology
PROFESSOR | Neurosurgery
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Eric J Nestler, MD, PhD
Eric J Nestler, MD, PhD
DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR FRIEDMAN BRAIN INSTITUTE
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Rachel Yehuda, PhD
Rachel Yehuda, PhD
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Rachel Yehuda, PhD

Rachel Yehuda, PhD, Director, The Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing

“At The Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing, our goal has been to change the world—one trauma survivor at a time. Our work has straddled neuroendocrinology, cognitive and molecular biology, neuroimaging, and stem cell biology, all of which has culminated into novel clinical treatments.”

Carousel Background Image 2

Rachel Yehuda, PhD, Director, The Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing

“At The Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing, our goal has been to change the world—one trauma survivor at a time. Our work has straddled neuroendocrinology, cognitive and molecular biology, neuroimaging, and stem cell biology, all of which has culminated into novel clinical treatments.”

Carousel Background Image 2

Thomas Hildebrandt, PsyD, Chief, Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders

“The Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders excels at bringing the future of eating disorders care to the community. We achieve a rare balance where scientists are the educators, innovators, and clinicians operating with the mission to make sure that everyone has access to the best care and to bring that experience to the laboratory to aid in search of a cure.”

Rachel Yehuda, PhD

Rachel Yehuda, PhD, Director, The Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing

“At The Parsons Research Center for Psychedelic Healing, our goal has been to change the world—one trauma survivor at a time. Our work has straddled neuroendocrinology, cognitive and molecular biology, neuroimaging, and stem cell biology, all of which has culminated into novel clinical treatments.”

Thomas Hildebrandt headshot

Thomas Hildebrandt, PsyD, Chief, Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders

“The Center of Excellence in Eating and Weight Disorders excels at bringing the future of eating disorders care to the community. We achieve a rare balance where scientists are the educators, innovators, and clinicians operating with the mission to make sure that everyone has access to the best care and to bring that experience to the laboratory to aid in search of a cure.”

Xioasi Gu, PhD

Xioasi Gu, PhD, Director, Center for Computational Psychiatry

“The innovative culture of the Department of Psychiatry allowed me to launch one of the world’s first integrated Center for Computational Psychiatry in 2021. Our mission is to use data and computational models to drive innovation in psychiatry and improve mental health at scale.”