Samantha Friend

Samantha Friend is a seasoned clinical researcher and psychiatrist currently serving as the Director of Clinical Research at Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. since December 2023. Samantha has extensive experience, including roles as a Principal Investigator at San Diego VA Health Care System, where a $1.56M scientific research grant was secured, and as a Staff Psychiatrist providing treatment for veterans with PTSD. Additional experience includes completing a two-year fellowship focused on PTSD and related conditions, a comprehensive residency in Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, and a dual MD/PhD program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, specializing in Immunology. Educational qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego.