CESAMH Fellowship
CESAMH Advanced Fellowship Program at VA San Diego Healthcare Systems (VASDHS), which is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), trains early career clinical researchers (physicians and psychologists) in the areas of the neurobiology and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other trauma-related conditions. CESAMH’s scope of research ranges from basic science, psychophysiology, and genetics through pharmacological and psychosocial interventions and their implementation. CESAMH’s strength in multidisciplinary, translational research provides an ideal setting to train talented physicians and psychologists to become highly productive clinical researchers and leaders in high priority areas of mental health.
The two-year, interprofessional CESAMH Advanced Fellowship is one of the 27 OAA-funded Advanced Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment that offers individualized, mentored research and clinical training. Fellows devote most of their time to patient-oriented research and educational activities and 25% to direct patient clinical care or health services projects. In collaboration with their mentors, Fellows will develop and implement a research project, publish and present findings, participate in grant writing, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery.
Psychology Applicants
CESAMH Advanced Fellowship in psychology is an APA accredited program*.
Qualifications for Psychologists: 1) U.S. citizenship; 2) Registration for the draft for males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered for the draft by age 26; 3) Completion of an APA-accredited doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology and an APA accredited professional psychology internship by September 1, 2026. Desirable qualifications include research experience and training in evidence-based practices, as well as career goals involving clinical, research, and leadership activities in university-affiliated VA or other medical center settings. The stipend for all first- year positions is currently $60,744 (first year) and $63,618 (second year) plus health, dental, and vision benefits with co-pay.
Link here for the Brochure: Advanced Fellowship Programs Brochure 
Application Process for Psychologists: Please submit a letter of interest (maximum 2 pages), CV or resume, and 3 letters of recommendation (including one from a research mentor). The letter of interest should include: a statement of interest; a summary of educational, research, and clinical experiences relevant to the specific area of interest; a summary of your training needs and goals for the residency; and a statement of your career goals.
Materials should be submitted via the APPA CAS by 11:59 PM EST (8:59 PST) pm November 17, 2025. We will conduct a virtual informational meeting on November 6, 2025, at 3:00 PST (zoom id: 553 207 8822). Applicants should be available for a virtual interview on December 5, 2025. Other interview dates may be possible. For more information, please see: Psychology Internship And Fellowship Programs | VA San Diego Health Care | Veterans Affairs
Physician Applicants
Qualifications for MD applicants: 1) Must have completed ACGME accredited residency training; and 2) Be board eligible or board certified, and have an active, unrestricted U.S. license to practice. International medical graduates must also have a current visa and an ECFMG certificate that is valid indefinitely. Applicants on a J-1 visa must have current ECFMG sponsorship as well. The VA funds Fellows’ stipends in amounts based on previously completed ACGME accredited residency training.
Application Process for MD applicants: Please send letter of interest, CV, and three letters of recommendation to:
Dhakshin Ramanathan, M.D.
CESAMH Physician Fellowship Director
VA San Diego Healthcare System 116A
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
San Diego, CA 92161
Dhakshin.Ramanathan@va.gov
CESAMH Selection Process
Selection is based on a holistic, comprehensive, merit-based review of each applicant’s training, professional accomplishments, and alignment with CESAMH’s goals. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all trainees; and therefore, we value a trainee cohort with a wide range of professional interests, training experiences, and perspectives relevant to the research of mental health conditions affecting a diverse Veteran population. Applicants are welcome to describe how their personal and professional experiences have shaped their interests in advancing high-quality, ethical, and responsive mental health research and care for Veterans. No applicant is advantaged or disadvantaged based on demographic characteristics or beliefs.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Questions related to the program's accreditation status should be directed at the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation.
CESAMH Advanced Post-Doctoral Fellows
Raine Triplett, M.D.
Dr. Triplett is a first-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health
AnnaLisa Wilson, M.D.
Dr. Wilson is a first-year MD Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health
Jessica Zakrzewski, M.D.
Dr. Zakrzewski is a first-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health
Matthew McCue, M.D.
Dr. McCue is a second-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health. His research interests include guilt, posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and suicide.
Jonathan Mishler, M.D.
Dr. Mishler is a first-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Data Science Fellow in the Neural Engineering and Translation Labs at the University of California, San Diego. His research focuses on using rodent animal models to develop a greater mechanistic insight into common treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders such as neurofeedback and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Kimberly Savin, M.D.
Dr. Savin is a second-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health. Her research and clinical interests are in behavioral sleep medicine and how sleep improvements impact cardiometabolic health. She completed her doctoral training at SDSU/UC San Diego, psychology internship at UCLA, and a postdoctoral residency in Behavioral Sleep Medicine and Primary Care Mental Health Integration at VA Sepulveda.
Joel Fishbein, Ph.D.
Dr. Fishbein is a third-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health.
Anaheed Shirazi, M.D.
Dr. Shirazi is a third-year MD Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral MD Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health.
Ashley Faytol, Ph.D.
Dr. Faytol is a third-year Advanced Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Stress and Mental Health.
