Deanna L. Kelly

Deanna L. Kelly, PharmD, BCPP is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine and Affiliate Professor in the School of Pharmacy. She holds the Dr. William and Carol Carpenter Professorship in Psychiatry for Mental Illness Research and serves as Director and Chief of the Treatment Research Program at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center (MPRC).

Dr. Kelly received her Bachelor of Science and Doctorate in Pharmacy at Duquesne University, completed psychiatric pharmacy practice residency training at the University of Maryland in 1997, and became board certified in psychiatric pharmacy practice in 1998. Her educational background includes:

• Duquesne University, Mylan School of Pharmacy (Magna Cum Laude), B.S., Pharmacy, 1995
• Duquesne University, Mylan School of Pharmacy, Pharm.D., 1996
• University of Maryland Baltimore, Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice Residency, 1996-1997

With over 25 years of research experience, Dr. Kelly specializes in schizophrenia and severe mental illness, with particular focus on antipsychotic medication, women's health issues, clozapine, inflammation, immune dysfunction, and the relationship between gluten sensitivity and psychiatric symptoms. Her research has explored innovative treatment approaches including minocycline as an adjunct therapy, gluten-free diets for patients with elevated antigliadin antibodies, and novel monitoring technologies for clozapine. Dr. Kelly has been instrumental in developing point-of-care testing devices to improve clozapine management and patient outcomes.

Dr. Kelly's extensive publication record includes over 220 peer-reviewed articles, 19 books and book chapters, and more than 250 scientific presentations. Her recent work demonstrates a strong focus on translational research bridging basic science discoveries with clinical applications, particularly in the areas of immune dysfunction in schizophrenia, novel monitoring technologies for antipsychotic medications, and innovative treatment approaches for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Her significant contributions to the field have been recognized with prestigious awards including:

• Maltz Prize for Innovative and Promising Schizophrenia Research (2017)
• NIMH R37 MERIT Award (2020)
• Inaugural MPower Professorship Award (2021)
• Outstanding Mentor Recognition Award (2021)

As a mentor and leader, Dr. Kelly has received recognition for her guidance of junior researchers and clinicians. She has served as Past President of the College of Psychiatric & Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP) and is a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). She currently serves as a clozapine content expert for the American Psychiatric Association SMI Adviser. Her expertise has been featured in major media outlets including the New York Times, Women's Day Magazine, and Vice Media.

At the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Dr. Kelly leads the Treatment Research Program, which focuses on developing and testing novel interventions for schizophrenia and severe mental illness. Her work has significantly advanced understanding of clozapine utilization, inflammatory pathways in schizophrenia, and the relationship between immune function and psychiatric symptoms.