Research Area Specialist Associate
Division of Neurobehavioral Research, Department of Psychiatry
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Period of Service
December 2009 - March 2016
Research Projects
Alcohol Binging: Disruptions in Impulse Control and 5-HT as 
Underlying Mechanisms (R01-AA018124)
Binge Drinking: Individual Differences in Capacity to Alter Drinking Patterns (R01-AA014988).
Consequences of Adolescent Substance Use on the Development of Impulse Control (R01-DA026868)
Relating Brain Maturation to Impulse Control and Substance Use Involvement (R01-DA033997)
David completed an intensive training in human alcohol research as part of a NIAAA Research Supplement
to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research.
After the NRLC
David went on to pursue a position in data analysis with our sister institution University Health System
Selected Publications/Presentations with the NRLC
Clinical and social/environmental characteristics in a community sample of children with and without family histories of Substance Use Disorder in the San Antonio area: A descriptive study
Ryan, S. R., Acheson, A., Charles, N. E., Lake, S. L., Hernandez, D. L., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2016)
Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 25, 327-339.
Reward impulsivity and rapid progression of puberty in boys at increased risk for substance use problems
Hernandez, D. L., Mathias, C. W., Charles, N. E., Liang, Y., Acheson, A., Lake, S. L., Ryan, S. R., and Dougherty, D. M. (2015).
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 39s1, 98a
At-risk preadolescents who initiate early adolescent substance use have increased attentional impulsivity but no differences in sensation-seeking
Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, June).
Poster presented at the 24th annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, San Antonio, TX.
At-risk preadolescents who initiate early adolescent substance use have increased attentional impulsivity but no differences in sensation seeking
Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Mathias, C. W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, June).
Poster presented at the 37th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Bellevue, Washington.
A description of familial and environmental characteristics among children at risk for substance use
Ryan, S. R., Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. C., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W. and Dougherty, D. M. (2014, August).
Poster accepted for presentation at the 122nd annual meetings of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC
Children with Family Histories of Alcohol Use Disorders Show a Difference in Delay Discounting and Behavioral Functioning.
Hernandez, D. L., Charles, N. E., Acheson, A., Mathias, C. W., and Dougherty, D. M. (2013, June)
Poster presented at the 1st annual UTHSCSA Psychiatry Resident Research and Quality Improvement Day, San Antonio, TX
Children with family histories of alcohol use disorders show a difference in delay discounting and behavioral function
Hernandez, D.L.,Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June)
Poster presented at the 36th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, Orlando, FL
Children with family histories of alcohol and other drug use disorders show increased discounting of delayed rewards
Acheson, A., Hernandez, D.L., Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June)
Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA
Hispanic children at risk for developing alcohol and drug use disorders have increased externalizing behaviors
Ford, A.N., Hernandez, D.L., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June)
Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA
Children with family histories of alcohol and other drug use disorders experience increased childhood adversity
Hernandez, D.L., Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., Acheson, A., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, June)
Poster presented at the 35th annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, San Francisco, CA
Children with a family history of alcohol and other drug use disorders show increased discounting of delayed monetary rewards
Acheson, A., Hernandez D.L, Ford, A.N., Charles, N.E., Mathias, C.W., and Dougherty, D.M. (2012, February).
Poster presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the Texas Research Society on Alcoholism, College Station, TX
Increased discounting of delayed rewards in children at risk for developing future alcohol and other drug use disorders
Hernandez, D.L., Paley, A.M., Acheson, A., Mathias, C.W., Richard, D.M., and Dougherty, D.M. (2011).
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 35, 105a.
Relationships between stress and impulsivity in children at-risk for developing alcohol and other drug use disorders
Paley, A.M., Hernandez, D.L., Acheson, A., Mathias, C.W., Richard, D. M., and Dougherty, D.M. (2011)
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 35, 154a.
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