Dost Ongur

About

I am a clinician scientist with a background in neuroscience and clinical psychiatry. I continue to weave these interests together in my work with patients with psychotic disorders (primarily schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar disorder with psychosis). I currently hold a P50 Center Grant from the NIMH focusing on clinical and biological research relevant to psychotic disorders. My research utilizes proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to study brain metabolism and cellular function in vivo in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. My group has reported on abnormalities in the neurotransmitters glutamate and GABA as well as on the synthesis and utilization of high energy phosphates such as ATP. I also maintain an active role in clinically oriented research, including clinical trials. In particular, we have studied trajectories of illness and treatment response following a first episode of psychosis. I am an active teacher and clinical administrator. I continue to teach and supervise junior residents and medical students as well as mentor junior faculty in my research group. I have received multiple awards and prizes for my teaching activities from my hospital system, medical school, and the American Psychiatric Association. I serve as Editor in Chief of JAMA Psychiatry, a leading journal in the field. I have served on the Council or Board of APPA, SOBP, SIRS, and ACNP, as Program Chair for the 2025 SOBP Annual Meeting, and on the NARSAD/BBRF Scientific Council. I am currently President Elect of the Society of Biological Psychiatry and will preside over the 2027 SOBP Annual Meeting. Finally, I serve on the APA’s Future DSM Strategic Committee and chair its Dimensions and Structure subcommittee.