Beatriz Luna, PhD Promoted
Beatriz Luna, PhD has been promoted to the rank of Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Luna's work in the area of neurodevelopment and pediatric neuroimaging examines changes in brain processes that support improvements in the voluntary control of behavior. She has focused on the period from adolescence to adulthood because this is the time when individuals show the greatest vulnerability to psychopathology and to mortality due to risk-taking behavior. Dr. Luna was a pioneer in conducting neuroimaging studies focused on the adolescent period, while the other early developmental neuroscientists using neuroimaging focused on childhood. In addition to conducting her own research, Dr. Luna is a dedicated mentor and teacher.