Women in Science and Engineering at Yale (2020 Edition)

Irina Esterlis, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine Director, Molecular Imaging Program, NCPTSD, VA

Director, Mood, Anxiety, and Cognitive Sciences Division

Irina Esterlis is a clinical neuropsychologist and molecular imager and the focus of her work is to elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying severe mental illness and suicidality. Her group uses several imaging modalities, including PET, MRI, MRS, and EEG to help guide in precision medicine.

Image shows that individuals with depression (right) have lower synaptic density as compared to those who have never had depression (left). Photo credit: Irina Esterlis