Symposium Award Winners
DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium
DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium
The 2026 DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium brought together over 100 researchers, clinicians, and advocacy leaders across North Texas committed to advancing community-based mental health solutions. This year’s focus areas were Mood, Development, Psychosis, and Addiction.
Hosted by Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education and Research (ACER), the Symposium served as a platform to showcase emerging research, foster mentorship, and strengthen cross-institutional collaboration between academic investigators and frontline clinicians working in real-world care settings.
As part of this year’s event, several individuals were recognized for exceptional scholarship and research impact.
Oral Presentation Awardees
Metrocare’s review committee selected three abstracts based on scientific merit, innovation, and impact. Each selected author was invited to deliver a featured talk in lieu of a poster presentation.
Karabi Nandy, PhD
University of Texas Southwestern| Professor
“FOCUS Bipolar: Building a Risk-Stratified Screening and Decision Pathway for Youth at Familial Risk for Bipolar Disorder in North Texas”
Sarah A. Berretta, BA
University of Texas at Dallas| Doctoral Student
“Cognitive Reflection Amplifies the Association Between Perceived Status Threat and Conspiracy Mentality”
Hui Huang, PhD, MSW
University of Texas at Arlington| Associate Professor
“Is Higher Education Approachable?: Facilitators and Barriers for Higher Education Pursuit among Fomer Foster Youth”
Best Poster Awardees
Selected through attendee voting, these posters were recognized for their originality, quality, and overall impact. Researchers in this category excelled in their scientific communication.
Sanjonaa Rudraraju Venkata, BS
University of Texas at Dallas| Master’s Student
“Playful Learning in Waiting Rooms: Creating Informal Learning Opportunities for Children”
Marla K. Jones, MS, LPC-A
University of Texas at Arlington| Doctoral Student
“Attachment and Emotional Feedback Sensitivity in Affective Decision-Making”
We extend our sincere congratulations to these honorees. Their work reflects the spirit of innovation and translational impact that defines the DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium.
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