Assistant Professor M. Pilar Trelles, M.D., has been selected to receive the LPG Clinician Scholar Award – a new award from the Lifespan Physician Group that recognizes a clinician who has made significant scholarly contributions through their clinical work. 

“I am deeply honored to be recognized with the LPG Clinician Scholar Award,” said Trelles, who is also the associate training director (research and scholarship) of Brown’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship and Triple Board Program. “My research and scholarly work have been dedicated to improving clinical outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families by identifying ways to bridge scientific advancement to everyday clinical practice. This award embodies the mission of my clinical and research work.”

A child and adolescent psychiatrist at Bradley Hospital, Trelles specializes in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). Her postdoctoral training focused on the use of genetics to advance therapeutics in NDDs.

“I am acutely aware of the large gap between – one – what is known about the biological and genetic basis of NDDs, and – two – evidence-based practices and community care of affected individuals,” Trelles said. “As such, I have used my background to improve outcomes in children with NDDs from under-resourced and under-served groups.”

Trelles has drawn on community and stakeholder engagement to research healthcare disparities and pockets of need in minority children with NDDs both nationally and internationally. Most recently, she has designed and implemented research projects centered on improving diversity in ASD genomic research and exploring the use of telehealth platforms as a way to address healthcare disparities in NDDs. 

The LPG Clinician Scholar Award is one of six new academic awards created by the Lifespan Physician Group this year to recognize outstanding members among the group’s more than 870 healthcare providers.