John A. Sweeney, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Psychology. He serves as Director of the Center for Cognitive Medicine and Director at the Psychotic Disorders Program in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Sweeney is a clinical investigator with interest in autism and schizophrenia. His autism interests are focused on investigating brain anatomy and neurophysiological disturbances that cause the disorder, and in the familial transmission of the disorder. His schizophrenia work focuses on longitudinal treatment studies of first episode psychosis. Prior to moving to UIC, he directed the clinical neuropsychology services at Cornell University Medical College and at the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently a standing member of the NIH study section that evaluates grant applications related to the neuroscience of mental disorders. His personal research program has been continuously funded by NIH since 1984. He is a clinical cognitive neuroscientist with particular expertise in using fMRI to understand brain mechanisms regulating the attentional systems and control of voluntary behavior, and in investigating pharmacological effects on functional brain systems in neuropsychiatric disorders. He has extensive research experience in psychopathology research, and maintains active interdisciplinary research efforts with colleagues in neurology and radiology. His clinical service is in programs that provide diagnostic evaluations of individuals with autism spectrum disorders, and in the evaluation and treatment of individuals presenting with their first episode of psychotic disorders.