Clinical trials and tribulations: perspectives on research career development.

e created the Journal’s “Focus on Early Career Psychiatrists” section to highlight work from investigators embarking on research careers for several reasons. Early career researchers face challenges unique to their career stage, and they often bring exciting and fresh ideas to important problems. Lessons in career development can be as interesting as the research itself. We invited the authors of the articles in this section to comment on their own experiences and to share their stories. Each was invited to address topics along a suggested template, including how long they have had an interest in their topic of research, what sparked their interest, what were the most important factors in their career development, and what obstacles, hurdles, or unplanned problems they have overcome. Ruud van Winkel, M.D., submitted a manuscript addressing the topic of metabolic effects of atypical antipsychotic medications, an area with important clinical ramifications for many patients. Tsafrir Loebl, M.D., completed a treatment study in the important area of substance abuse.