Who We Are
The Geriatric Neuropsychology Research Program (GNRP), located in the Western Psychiatric Hospital’s Oxford Building within the Department of Psychiatry, is directed by Meryl Butters, Ph.D., along with Andrea Weinstein, Ph.D., and Swathi Gujral, Ph.D. Our group is involved in 15-20 funded research studies. Studies led by Drs. Butters, Weinstein, and/or Gujral focus on cognitive aging, mood disorders, and interventions to prevent cognitive decline. We also provide a neuropsychological assessment service for numerous studies evaluating cognition across a range of adult populations within the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Our team includes research specialists who conduct comprehensive adult clinical neuropsychology assessments in-person and virtually; research coordinators who oversee studies conducted within our program, and senior research administrators who manage lab operations such as grants administration, clinical training, interventions, employee professional development, and data management. The GNRP maintains a full library of neuropsychological tasks including traditional paper and pencil tests, computerized tests, and cutting-edge mobile cognitive assessments. Our staff members regularly train research staff to conduct neuropsychological assessments within and outside of the University of Pittsburgh, with regular monitoring of neuropsychological data quality and integrity via inter-rater reliability assessment.
Misson Statement
Our research lab conducts methodologically rigorous geriatric neuropsychological research with the goal of understanding who is at risk for cognitive impairment and how to optimize cognitive and emotional aging. We seek to be an inclusive and safe space for all staff and participants. We value diversity and are committed to rectifying longstanding inequities within research and academia.
