WASHINGTON — The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) today announced that Deanna Barch is the recipient of the 2024 Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health for her seminal contributions to advancing understanding of the developmental psychopathology and treatment of mental health disorders, in addition to her devoted mentorship of early career investigators. The award, which recognizes her achievements with a medal and $20,000, will be presented at the NAM Annual Meeting on Oct. 20. Barch is vice dean of research, Gregory B. Couch Professor of Psychiatry, and a professor of psychological and brain sciences and of radiology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Barch’s research has shaped understanding of the neural and psychological causes of cognitive impairments and negative symptoms in schizophrenia and opened new perspectives on treatment. Her work helped establish impairments in dopamine-related cognitive control as a core component of schizophrenia-related cognitive dysfunction and a transdiagnostic feature across psychotic disorders.
Barch has also made significant advances in the area of childhood poverty and the mechanisms of its negative impact on brain and behavioral development. She has applied rigorous neuroscience models to early childhood developmental psychopathology in a way that has advanced the field significantly and given greater traction to the importance of early identification, intervention, and elucidation to neural mechanisms of disease and treatment targets.
In addition to her research, Barch has held an active leadership role in several large neuro-imaging consortia. She has facilitated the training and productivity of many early career scientists within and outside her own institution — a high proportion of which are currently pursuing academic careers in mental health research. Barch has received numerous awards and honors, including a National Institute for Mental Health MERIT Award, Association of Women in Neuroscience Mentor Award, and the Society for Biological Psychiatry Gold Medal Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Not only has Dr. Barch led important research that is central to understanding the etiology and developmental mechanisms of mental disorders across the life span, but she has been a tireless mentor to the next generation of clinician scholars,” said NAM President Victor J. Dzau. “Congratulations to Dr. Barch, whose focus on clinical translation to advance public health and dedication to training young scientists show she is an exemplar of a generous scientist.”
Since 1992, the Sarnat Prize has been presented to individuals, groups, or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in improving mental health. The prize recognizes — without regard for professional discipline or nationality — achievements in basic science, clinical application, and public policy that lead to progress in the understanding, etiology, prevention, treatment, or cure of mental disorders, or to the promotion of mental health. As defined by the nominating criteria, the field of mental health encompasses neuroscience, psychology, social work, nursing, psychiatry, and advocacy.
The award is supported by an endowment created by Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat of Los Angeles. Rhoda Sarnat was a licensed clinical social worker, and Bernard Sarnat was a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and researcher. The Sarnats’ concern about the destructive effects of mental illness inspired them to establish the award. This year’s selection committee was chaired by Peter R. MacLeish, George H.W. and Barbara P. Bush Professor of Neuroscience, and professor, department of neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine.
The National Academy of Medicine, established in 1970 as the Institute of Medicine, is an independent organization of eminent professionals from diverse fields including health and medicine; the natural, social, and behavioral sciences; and beyond. It serves alongside the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering as an adviser to the nation and the international community. Through its domestic and global initiatives, the NAM works to address critical issues in health, medicine, and related policy and inspire positive action across sectors. The NAM collaborates closely with its peer academies and other divisions within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Contact:
Dana Korsen, Director of Media Relations
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202-334-2138; email news@nas.edu
