Paul E. Croarkin

Paul E. Croarkin, D.O., M.S., is Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Pediatrics, and Professor of Pharmacology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He holds joint faculty appointments as Consultant in the Department of Psychiatry & Psychology and the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, chairs the Division of Pediatric Research, and since 2022 serves as the Ervin A. and Margaret C. Mueller Director of the Mayo Clinic Children’s Research Center.

Education & Training

• Master of Science in Clinical Science – UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (2011)
• Chief Fellow & Fellow – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, UT Southwestern (2007)
• Chief Resident & Resident – General Psychiatry Residency, Naval Medical Center San Diego (2002)
• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine – University of North Texas Health Science Center (1998)
• Bachelor of Science in Biology – Southwest Missouri State University (1993)

Research Focus & Interests

Dr. Croarkin’s research program centers on the neurobiology, classification, and optimal treatment of mood disorders in children and adolescents. His work integrates advanced neurostimulation techniques—particularly repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)—with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to probe GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in early-onset depression. He leads multi-site randomized controlled trials examining the efficacy and mechanisms of high-frequency rTMS in adolescents with major depressive disorder, and he oversees the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Biobank, a longitudinal genomic cohort study of youth bipolar disorder.

Collectively, his publications reveal a translational pipeline that moves from neurochemical imaging biomarkers to precision neuromodulation therapies, emphasizing personalized interventions that target underlying pathophysiology rather than symptom clusters alone.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• 2024 “Speed Demon Award” – Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• 2024 Top Reviewer (#2) – American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
• 2022 Klingenstein Third Generation Foundation Award for Research in Depression or Suicide
• 2018 Outstanding Mentor Award – AACAP & NIDA
• 2014 Gerald L. Klerman Young Investigator Award – Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• 2008 & 2013 NARSAD Young Investigator Awards – Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

Grants, Leadership & Mentorship

Dr. Croarkin has been continuously funded by the NIH (NIMH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award, 2014) and national foundations. He directs the Children’s Research Center at Mayo Clinic and chairs the Pediatric Research Committee, fostering interdisciplinary child mental-health research across departments. His mentorship portfolio includes postdoctoral fellows, clinical scholars, and junior faculty in psychiatry, psychology, and translational neuroscience.

Laboratories & Teams

Under his direction, the Children’s Research Center houses integrated teams for clinical trials, neuroimaging, and genetics. Collaborative projects span the Mayo Clinic Departments of Psychiatry & Psychology, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, and the Center for Individualized Medicine, positioning the center as a national hub for pediatric mood-disorder research.