Brian A Coffman

Brian A Coffman is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, serving as Director of the Clinical Neurophysiology Research Laboratory and Director of Research at the UPMC Brain Mapping Center. His work focuses on neural circuit mechanisms in psychiatric disorders through advanced neuroimaging and stimulation techniques.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Experimental Psychology, University of New Mexico
• MS in Psychology, University of New Mexico
• Psychiatry training, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Dr. Coffman's research centers on auditory neurophysiology in schizophrenia, non-invasive brain stimulation applications, and cognitive dysfunction in psychosis. He employs MEG/EEG to investigate sensory processing deficits in schizophrenia and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), with significant contributions to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for cognitive enhancement. His methodology expertise includes specialized MEG analysis techniques for psychiatric populations.

His publication record (2012-2020) reveals consistent focus on neural biomarkers for psychosis and FASD, with increasing emphasis on therapeutic applications of tDCS. Key trends include the development of objective electrophysiological measures for cognitive deficits and translation of stimulation protocols from healthy populations to clinical disorders.

Professional recognition includes:

• Young Investigator Award from EEG & Clinical Neuroscience Society
• Strick Prize for Best Research Paper from Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition

As Director of Research at UPMC Brain Mapping Center and leader of the Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, Dr. Coffman oversees multiple NIH-funded projects investigating neural circuit dysfunction. He actively mentors trainees in statistical methods and neuroimaging analysis while contributing to interventional psychiatry initiatives including the Department's new Center for Neural Circuit-Based Technology Interventions.

His laboratory operations focus on integrating neurophysiological assessment with circuit-based interventions, positioning his team at the forefront of translational neuroscience within Pitt Psychiatry's expanding interventional psychiatry program.