Faculty

Sarah L Pedersen, PhD

Sarah L Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical and Translational Science, and Psychology

Contact Details

3811 O'Hara St.
Pittsburgh
 
PA
 
15213
Email
Website
Youth and Family Research Program
DART T32

Education & Training

PhD
Clinical Psychology, University of Missouri, College of Arts and Sciences
MA
Clinical Psychology, University of Missouri, College of Arts and Sciences
Clinical Psychology, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC
Alcohol Research, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Professional Affiliations

Member and Chair, Education Committee, Research Society on Alcoholism

Research Interests

Health inequities in alcohol & substance use; Alcohol response and impulsivity; ADHD
Selected Research Publications & Products
  1. Tapia AL, Wallace ML, Hasler BP, Holmes J & Pedersen SL. Effect of daily discrimination on naturalistic sleep health features in young adults. Health Psychol. 2024 Apr;43(4):298-309. PubMed PMID: 38190204.
  2. Pedersen SL, Kennedy TM, Holmes J, Molina BSG. Momentary associations between stress and alcohol craving in the naturalistic environment: Differential associations for Black and White young adults. Addiction. 2022 May;117(5):1284-1294. PubMed PMID: 34859912.
  3. Hunter DS, Kennedy TM, Cason I, Holmes J, Pedersen SL. Examination of cross-group contact at work and school in relation to acute and retrospective discrimination experiences and drinking to cope for Black and White young adult drinkers. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2022 Dec;30(6):820-830. PubMed PMID: 34410795.
  4. Boness CL, Hasler BP, Sheehan H, Pedersen SL. Associations between specific sleep and circadian characteristics and alcohol use disorder criteria and problems. Addict Behav. 2022 Sep;132:107348. PubMed PMID: 35598530.
  5. Pedersen SL, Lindstrom R, Powe PM, Louie K, Escobar-Viera C. Lack of representation in psychiatric research: A data driven example from scientific articles published in 2019 and 2020 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Am J Psychiatry. 2022 May;179(5):388-392. PubMed PMID: 35491569.

Clinical Interests

Addiction; Health inequities; Impulsivity and emotion regulation

Education Interests

Research mentorship; Clinical psychology intern education & training; Medical student & resident education
Selected Education Publications & Products
  1. Pedersen, SL, Wang, F, Vaugh-Coaxum, RA, Powe, PM, Boness, CL. Possibilities and challenges for enhancing equity and inclusivity through dimensional models of psychopathology. In press, Dimensional Classifications of Psychopathology
  2. Pedersen SL & Sayette MA. (2020). Education and training in substance use disorders: A roadmap to moveforward. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 14;1: 47.

Sarah Pedersen, PhD, Receives Nancy Petry Mid-Career Award from American Psychological Association Division 50 – Society of Addiction Psychology

Congratulations to Sarah Pedersen, PhD (Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical and Translational Science, and Psychology), who has received the American Psychological Association Division 50 (Society of Addiction Psychology) Nancy Petry Mid-Career Award. The award was presented at the Collaborative Perspectives on Addiction (CPA) conference, which brings together Society of Addiction Psychology and American...

University of Pittsburgh Awards Tenure to Sarah Pedersen, PhD

Dr. Sarah Pedersen

We are delighted to announce that Sarah Pedersen, PhD, has received conferral of tenure at the rank of associate professor by the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Pedersen is a leader in research examining the individual differences that increase the risk for alcohol problems and alcohol use disorder, as well as for cannabis use, and is recognized for her expertise in health equity research and community-engaged...

The 2024 Society of Biological Psychiatry Annual Meeting in Austin, TX

Collage of Photos from 2024 SOBP Meeting

The 2024 Society of Biological Psychiatry (SOBP) Annual Meeting was held in Austin, TX. Pitt Psychiatry faculty and trainees gathered for a program that explored whether the translational medicine approach is living up to its promise in psychiatry. The conference additionally presented the opportunity to network and meet up with Pitt Psychiatry friends and alums! Gold Medal Award Mary Phillips, MD, MD (Cantab)...

Health Psychology: Effect of Daily Discrimination on Naturalistic Sleep Health Features in Young Adults

Dr. Sarah Pedersen

Poor sleep health is associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes. Some populations—including Black individuals and those with other minoritized racial and ethnic identities—experience inequities in sleep health. The determinants of sleep health inequities are complex and include social, environmental, behavioral, and biological factors. In particular, interpersonal discrimination can contribute to...

Pitt Psychiatry at the 2023 Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Annual Meeting

ACLP 2023

Pitt Psychiatry consultation-liaison (C-L) faculty and trainees attended the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (ACLP) annual meeting and presented 9 symposia/workshops, 11 posters, and 5 oral papers. Travel Award Congratulations to Isaiah Crum, MD (PGY3) who received an ACLP trainee travel award. Presentations Twenty-five Department of Psychiatry presentations covered a range of topics including trauma...