Umair Bhutto honored with National Network of Depression Centers Young Investigator Award

Umair Bhutto, a PGY-3 resident physician in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, has been named a recipient of the prestigious National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) Young Investigator Travel Award. Bhutto is one of only 10 early-career researchers and clinicians nationwide selected for the 2026 honor, which recognizes rising stars in psychiatric research and clinical care.

The award provides travel assistance funding to support Bhutto’s attendance at the upcoming NNDC Annual Meeting, taking place October 19-20 in Austin, Texas. The conference brings together leading scientists, academic psychiatrists and clinical experts from top institutions across the country to share groundbreaking research and collaborate on advances in mood disorders treatment.

While at the meeting, Bhutto will participate in an exciting Mentorship Networking Session designed to facilitate the development of new mentor-mentee relationships across NNDC sites. This opportunity allows him to engage with senior mentors and discuss topics such as career development, publishing, leadership, clinical care and research. Overall, the award offers him a key opportunity to network with top scholars in academic psychiatry and represent the department on a national stage.

"I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the NNDC," said Bhutto. "The opportunity to collaborate with and learn from leading investigators in our field is invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for the continued support and mentorship from our department as I pursue my academic and clinical goals."

The NNDC is a non-profit network of top academic medical centers dedicated to developing and applying scientific solutions to improve the lives of those affected by depression and bipolar disorder.