Faculty

Sarah L Pedersen, PhD

Sarah L Pedersen, PhD

Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Clinical and Translational Science

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. Pedersen SL, Kennedy TM, Joseph HM, Riston SJ, Kipp HL & Molina BSG. (2020). Real-world changes in adolescents ADHD symptoms within the day and across school and non-school days. Journal of AbnormalChild Psychology, 48(12), 15431553.
  2. Pedersen SL, King KM, Louie KA, Fournier JC & Molina BSG. (2019). Momentary fluctuations in impulsivitydomains: Associations with a history of childhood ADHD, heavy alcohol use, and alcohol problems. Drugand Alcohol Dependence. Dec 01; 205: PubMed PMID: 31704385
  3. Pedersen SL, Walther CAP, Pelham WE & Molina BSG. (2016). The indirect effects of childhood ADHD on alcohol problems in adulthood through unique facets of impulsivity. Addiction, 111, 1582-1589.
  4. Pedersen SL & McCarthy DM. (2013). Differences in response to alcohol between African Americans and European Americans. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 37, 1056-1063.
  5. Pedersen SL, Molina BSG, Belendiuk KA & Donovan JE. (2012). Racial differences in the development of impulsivity and sensation seeking from childhood into adolescence and their relation to alcohol use. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 36, 1794-1802.

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 & Sayette MA. (2020). Education and training in substance use disorders: A roadmap to moveforward. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 14;1: 47.

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...

The Department of Psychiatry’s Biggest-Ever Research Day

2023 Pitt Psychiatry Research Day Session

The 21st annual Department of Psychiatry Research Day, held on June 8, 2023 was the biggest Research Day ever, attended by more than 500 faculty members, trainees, and staff, and featuring 160 posters at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh.   Lunchtime roundtables followed the morning poster session. More than 250 participants joined one of 30 roundtable discussion groups...

Meet the Pitt Psychiatry Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Leadership & Advisory Council

Pitt Psychiatry Suite 200

The Department of Psychiatry Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) Leadership Council represents the recent step in a continued journey to enhance DEI in our community ( learn more about this work here). Composed of nine Department of Psychiatry faculty members, the Council provides continuity and dynamism to our DEI-related efforts, so that we can continue to engage our academic community in a way that matches...