Bio
Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez leads studies investigating the brain basis of severe mental disorders. Her landmark clinical trials pioneer rapid-acting treatments for illnesses including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). As the Director of the Translational Therapeutics Lab and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Rodriguez has developed methods that combine in vivo drug infusions with magnetic resonance spectroscopy, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and electroencephalograpy to map human brain circuit dysfunction in real time.
As a psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and clinical researcher, Carolyn’s NIH-, foundation-, and donor-funded mechanistic and clinical efficacy studies span targeted glutamatergic and opioid pathway pharmacotherapy, non-invasive brain stimulation, and psychotherapy for OCD, PTSD, and hoarding disorder. Additional studies focus on understanding the basic neuroscience mechanisms of repetitive behaviors. Carolyn also provides mental health care for Veterans as a consultation-liaison psychiatrist at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs.
Carolyn serves as an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Stanford University School of Medicine, Associate Chair for Inclusion and Diversity in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Deputy Editor of The American Journal of Psychiatry, member of the Research Council of the American Psychiatric Association, member of Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Scientific Council, and Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board member of the International OCD Foundation. She has won several national awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE recognizes investigators who are pursuing bold and innovative projects at the early stages of their careers and is considered one of the highest honors in scientific research. Carolyn presented her research at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and her work has been highlighted by organizations including NPR, PBS, New York Times, ABC News, NBC News, Newsweek, and Time.com. She contributes articles to Harvard Business Review and Huffington Post to share scientific findings with the public.
Carolyn received her B.S. in Computer Science from Harvard University, followed by a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Genetics from Harvard Medical School and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School-M.I.T. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she now lives with her husband and three children in Palo Alto.
Clinical Focus
- Psychiatry
Academic Appointments
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Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
Administrative Appointments
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Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Stanford University School of Medicine (2020 - Present)
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Associate Chair - Inclusion and Diversity, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine (2018 - Present)
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Director, Translational Therapeutics/Rodriguez Lab (2015 - Present)
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Director, Translational OCD Research Program (2015 - Present)
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Director, Stanford Hoarding Disorders Research Program (2015 - Present)
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Clinical Lab Director, Stanford Center for Cognitive and Neurobiological Imaging (CNI) (2018 - Present)
Honors & Awards
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Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), United States Government (2019)
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Chairman’s Annual Award for Excellence Across Multiple Missions, Stanford Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2018)
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Eva King Killam Research Award for Outstanding Translational Research Contributions, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2017)
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A.E. Bennett Research Award for Outstanding Contributions to Clinical/Translational Research, Society for Biological Psychiatry (SOBP) (2017)
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Gerald R. Klerman Award Honorable Mention for outstanding clinical research achievement, Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF/NARSAD) (2017)
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Harold Amos Medical Faculty Development Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2015)
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Neuropsychopharmacology Editor's Award for Tranformative Original Report (NEATOR) Award, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2014)
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Robins/Guze Award, American Psychopathological Association (2014)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Deputy Editor, The American Journal of Psychiatry (2019 - Present)
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Council on Research Member, American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2020 - Present)
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Scientific Council Member, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2020 - Present)
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Scientific And Clinical Advisory Board Member, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) (2018 - Present)
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Editorial Board Member, Neuropsychopharmacology Journal (2018 - Present)
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Vice Chairperson, Council on Research, American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2016 - 2020)
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Co-Chair, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Research Symposium (2018 - 2020)
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Advisory Board Member, Stanford Center for Cognitive and Neurobiological Imaging (CNI) (2018 - Present)
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Scientific Advisory Board Member, Orchard OCD Research Foundation (2018 - Present)
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Director, Executive Board of the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders (ICOCS) (2015 - 2019)
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Scientific Program Committee, American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2016 - 2019)
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Chair, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) Minority Task Force (2017 - 2018)
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Co-Chair, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) Minority Task Force (2016 - 2017)
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Chair, OCD Practice Guidelines Work Group, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) (2015 - 2016)
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Secretary General, American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry (2012 - 2014)
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Laughlin Fellow, American College of Psychiatrists (2007 - 2009)
Professional Education
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Residency: Columbia Presbyterian Pediatric Residency Program (2008) NY
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Internship: Columbia Presbyterian Pediatric Residency Program (2005) NY
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PhD Training: Harvard Medical School (2004) MA
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Fellowship: Columbia University (2011) NY
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Board Certification: American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychiatry (2009)
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BS, Harvard University, Computer Science (1996)
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PhD, Harvard Medical School, Neuroscience (2004)
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MD, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Health Sciences and Technology (2004)
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Medical Education: Harvard Medical School (2004) MA
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Residency, Columbia University-NYSPI, Psychiatry (2008)
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Board Certification, Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2009)