Rita Shaughnessy

Rita Shaughnessy, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. Her clinical practice focuses on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. She is board-certified in psychiatry and serves as director of outpatient programs.

Education:

• MD - University of Illinois, Chicago (1989)
• PhD - University of Illinois, Chicago (1980)
• BA - Governors State University (1974)

Rita Shaughnessy's research centers on schizophrenia, particularly its etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment-resistant forms. She collaborates on genomic studies exploring rare genetic mutations in severe cases and addresses ethical, legal, and social implications of translational psychiatric genomics. Her work also includes pharmacological research on hyponatremia and tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia.

Scientific Grants:

• Co-Investigator: "The Genomics of Treatment-Resistant Psychotic Symptoms" (NIMH)
• Collaborator: "Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications of Translational Psychiatric Genomics Research" (NIH)
• Collaborator: "The Genetics of Highly Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia" (NIMH)
• Co-Investigator: "Genetic Dissection of the Heterogeneity of Schizophrenia" (NIMH, Under Review)

She also holds leadership roles in clinical trials related to valbenazine and lixivaptan for tardive dyskinesia and hyponatremia, funded by Neurocrine Biosciences.