معرفی
Brian Kavanaugh is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University's Alpert Medical School and a pediatric neuropsychologist at Bradley Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital. Board-certified in clinical neuropsychology with pediatric subspecialty certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology, he directs research at the intersection of neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders in youth.
His educational trajectory includes a BA from Loyola University (2009), PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University New England (2014), followed by pediatric neuropsychology fellowship training at E. P. Bradley Hospital and Brown University (2014-2016).
Dr. Kavanaugh's research pioneers brain-based interventions for childhood neuropsychiatric disorders using multimodal neuroimaging (MRI), electrophysiology (EEG), and neuromodulation (TMS). His work targets executive dysfunction across diagnostic boundaries, with particular emphasis on oscillatory dynamics in working memory, genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (ASH1L, SLC13A5, Christianson syndrome), and trauma-related neurocognitive sequelae. He actively develops translational approaches to modulate neural circuits underlying cognitive deficits.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals dominant research streams: 1) Neural oscillation biomarkers for cognitive deficits in ADHD and depression, 2) Lifespan phenotyping of rare genetic disorders, 3) Sex-specific neurodevelopmental manifestations, and 4) TMS treatment optimization using neurophysiological predictors. His work consistently bridges basic neuroscience with clinical intervention.
Scientific recognition includes:
- NIMH K23 Career Development Award
- Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Award
Current research funding spans NIMH, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, The Carol Peterson Foundation, and the COBRE Center for Neuromodulation. While specific advisees aren't documented in source materials, his leadership in the COBRE Center involves mentoring junior investigators in pediatric neuromodulation. Collaborative networks include neurologists, geneticists, and psychiatrists across Brown's clinical ecosystem.
Dr. Kavanaugh operates within the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, leveraging institutional resources at Bradley Hospital's Pediatric Neuropsychology Service and the COBRE Center for Neuromodulation. His team integrates clinical assessment with advanced neurophysiological methods to develop circuit-targeted interventions for youth with complex neuropsychiatric presentations.
