Deepti Chopra, MBBS, MPH
Department of Psychiatry, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Chopra
Deepti Chopra has been an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2017. She has been focusing on various aspects of psycho-oncology care with an interest in body image in oncology as well as the neuropsychiatric effects of cancer treatment. To develop these interests, she has been involved in various research projects, participated in various patient groups, and provided education on the above topics to various disciplines internally and externally. Dr. Chopra is engaged in numerous psycho-oncology endeavors at national-level organizations.
Dr. Chopra enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and trying different cuisines.
In the News
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Patient Safety Quality Officer, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2013 | Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, US, Psychosomatic Medicine, Fellowship in Psychosomatic Medicine |
| 2012 | University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, US, General Psychiatry Residency, Psychiatry |
| 2012 | East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, US, Epidemiology, MPH |
| 2006 | Grant Medical College, Mumbai, IN, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MBBS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2013 | Clinical Fellowship, Psychosomatic Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut |
| 2010-2012 | Medical Educator Track Designation, Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York |
| 2008-2012 | Clinical Residency, Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2016 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2015 | American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine |
| 2013 | American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, General Psychiatry |
| 2012 | Department of Public Health |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Patient Safety Quality Officer, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist, Hartford Hospital/ Institute of Living, Hartford, CT, 2013 - 2016
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Education Committee Division of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2023 | Outstanding Multidisciplinary Faculty Teaching Award, Breast Surgical Oncology (BSO) |
| 2022 | Top Doctors, Medicine and Doctors Magazine |
| 2017 | Best Poster Award (2nd Place), Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine Annual Meeting 2017 |
| 2011 | Harold Levy Award for Psychosomatic Medicine |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Neuropsychiatric Events Following High Dose Steroid Administration During Early Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment are More Frequent With Repeated Steroid Exposure. Invited. Division of Internal Medicine Research Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Body image in oncology. Invited. Body image in oncology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Neuropsychiatric profile by proxy measures in cancer patients receiving high dose steroids after immune checkpoint inhiitor therapy. Conference. Neuropsychiatric profile by proxy measures in cancer patients receiving high dose steroids after immune checkpoint inhiitor therapy. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Malignant catatonia in a patient after stem cell transplant and its complexities report from a single patient encounter. Invited. Malignant catatonia in a patient after stem cell transplant and its complexities report from a single patient encounter. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Body Image and Emotional Burden in Breast Cancer Patients. Conference. Body Image and Emotional Burden in Breast Cancer Patients. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. The Impact of Body Image Concerns on Psychiatric Symptoms in Cancer Patients. Conference. The Impact of Body Image Concerns on Psychiatric Symptoms in Cancer Patients. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Endorsing “Physical Appearance” Problems on the Distress Thermometer Problems Significantly Increases Magnitude of Depression, Anxiety and Distress in Cancer Patients. Conference. Endorsing “Physical Appearance” Problems on the Distress Thermometer Problems Significantly Increases Magnitude of Depression, Anxiety and Distress in Cancer Patients. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Validation of Artificial Intelligence based Delirium Prediction tool using Electronic Health Records. Invited. American Delirium Society Conference. Nashville, Tennessee, US.
- 2024. Associations among BMI and patient-reported body image dissatisfaction during immediate autologous breast reconstruction: A prospective longitudinal evaluation. Poster. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, Texas, US.
- 2023. Associations Among BMI and Patient-Reported Body Image Dissatisfaction After Breast Reconstruction. Poster. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Suicide Prevention Metrics Tracking Via Visual Interactive Dashboard: A Quality Improvement Initiative In A Tertiary Cancer Center. Poster. American Psychosocial Oncology Annual Meeting 2026, US.
- 2026. Interactive Dashboard for categorizing Psychiatry Consultations: A Quality Initiative. Poster. American Psychosocial Oncology Annual Meeting 2026, US.
- 2026. Cancer, Distress and Forecasting Suicide Risk. Poster. American Psychosocial Oncology Annual Meeting 2026. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2025. General Sessions: Friend and/or Foe? Corticosteroids for the C-L Psychiatrist. Conference. Academy of Consultation Liaison 2025 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. San Antonio, Texas, US.
- 2024. Psychiatry consult timing and length of stay (LOS) index: quality improvement project in hospitalized cancer patients. Conference. Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry annual meeting, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2024. Miami, FL, US.
- 2024. Garment-related patient-reported outcomes: comparison of autologous and implant-based breast reconstruction. Conference. 2024 Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting. Baltimore, Maryland, US.
- 2024. Neuropsychiatric Events Following High Dose Steroid Administration During Early Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment are More Frequent With Repeated Steroid Exposure. Conference. 21st Annual Conference of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Albuquerque, NM, US.
- 2019. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Clinical Recommendations and Information for the C-L Psychiatrist. Conference. Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Clinical Recommendations and Information for the C-L Psychiatrist. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2019. Body Image and Psychological distress in Head Neck Cancer and Gastrointestinal Cancer in an Ambulatory Psychiatric Oncology Clinic. Conference. Body Image and Psychological distress in Head Neck Cancer and Gastrointestinal Cancer in an Ambulatory Psychiatric Oncology Clinic. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2018. The incidence of depression and anxiety concurrent with body image concerns among 600 cancer patients. Conference. The incidence of depression and anxiety concurrent with body image concerns among 600 cancer patients. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2017. Cancer patients who endorse Physical Appearance Problems on the Distress Thermometer exhibit significant higher scores for Depression, Anxiety and Distress. Conference. Cancer patients who endorse Physical Appearance Problems on the Distress Thermometer exhibit significant higher scores for Depression, Anxiety and Distress. Palm Springs, CA, US.
- 2012. Multifaceted Peer Intervention: Experiences in Cigarette Smoking. Conference. Multifaceted Peer Intervention: Experiences in Cigarette Smoking. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2012. How to work with Interpreters?. Conference. How to work with Interpreters?. Buffalo, NY, US.
- 2009. Recognizing the Salient Features of Silent Strokes. Conference. Recognizing the Salient Features of Silent Strokes. Buffalo, NY, US.
Formal Peers
- 2013. Personality Disorders. Visiting. New Haven, CT, US.
- 2013. Understanding and Recognizing Personality Disorders. Visiting. New Haven, CT, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | Adaptable medical garment for breast cancer rehabilitation |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | FP00019770 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | Algorithms for rapid production of personalized recovery garments for breast cancer rehabilitation |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | FP00019773 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | Beyond Binders and Bookmarks: Deciphering Dr. Google to Enhance Patient-Provider Communication |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | FP00017774 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2023 |
| Title: | Method for assessing women's perceptions of their appearance in the context of breast cancer care |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIBIB |
| Role: | Other significant contributor |
| ID: | R21-EB031317 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- von Bubnoff F, Werner J, Hebach NR, Chopra DA, Schubert MC. Medical Mistrust in Online Cancer Communities: A Large-Scale Analysis Across 10 Cancer Entities. Psychooncology 34(6):e70180, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40448945.
- Fabian von Bubnoff, Johannes Werner, Nils R. Hebach, Chopra D, Marc Cicero Schubert. Medical Mistrust in Online Cancer Communities: A Large‐ Scale Analysis Across 10 Cancer Entities. Psycho-Oncology, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Chopra, DA, Shinn, EH, Teo, I, Bordes, MC, Reece, GP, Liu, J, Markey, MK, Weber, RS, Fingeret, MC. A cognitive behavioral therapy–based intervention to address body image in patients with facial cancers. Palliative and Supportive Care 22(5):1009-1016, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 36994832.
- Robbins-Welty GA, MD, MS, Tuck AN, MD, Marchant D, FRANZCP, Gleason A, FRANZCP, Key RG, MD, di Ciccone BBL, MD, Chopra DA, MBBS, Mojtahedzadeh M, MD, Fonseca F, MD, Amonoo HL, MD, DeSimone A, DO, McFarland AD, DO. Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor and Bleeding Risk PART 2: Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding, Malignancy, Pregnancy, and Surgical Considerations 40(10):42-45, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Robbins-Welty, GA, Tuck, AN, Marchant, D, Gleason, A, Key, RG, Lubrano di Ciccone, BB, Chopra, DA, Mojtahedzadeh, M, Fonseca, F, Amonoo, HL, DeSimone, A, McFarland, DC. Bleeding Risk With SSRIs PART 1. Psychiatric Times 40(9):35-39, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Robbins-Welty GA, MD, MS, Tuck AN, MD, Marchant D, FRANZCP, Gleason A, FRANZCP, Key RG, MD, di Ciccone BBL, MD, Chopra DA, MBBS, Mojtahedzadeh M, MD, Fonseca F, MD, Amonoo HL, MD, DeSimore A, DO, McFarland AD, DO. Bleeding Risk With SSRIs Part 1: Cardiocascular and Cerebrovascular Considerations 40(9), 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Wang H, Nicklaus K, Jewett E, Rehani E, Chen TA, Engelmann J, Bordes MC, Chopra D, Reece GP, Lee Z, Markey MK. Assessing saliency models of observersapos; visual attention on acquired facial differences, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Chopra, D, Shinn, E, Teo, I, Bordes, M C, Reece, G P, Liu, J, Markey, M K, Weber, R, Fingeret, M C. A cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention to address body image in patients with facial cancers: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Palliative & supportive care:1-8, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Wang, H, Nicklaus, KM, Jewett, E, Rehani, E, Chen, TA, Engelmann, JM, Bordes, MC, Chopra, DA, Reece, GP, Lee, Z, Markey, MK. Assessing saliency models of observers' visual attention on acquired facial differences. Journal of Medical Imaging 10:S11908, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37091297.
- Wang, H, Liu, J, Bordes, MC, Chopra, DA, Reece, GP, Markey, MK, Hoffman, AS. The role of psychosocial factors in patients’ recollections of breast reconstruction options discussed with their surgeons. Scientific reports 12(1), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35523931.
- Nicklaus, KM, Cheong, A, Sampathkumar, U, Liu, J, Chopra, DA, Hoffman, AS, Merchant, F, Hanson, SE, Markey, MK, Reece, GP. Breast Decisions. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open 10(11), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36348752.
- Nicklaus KM, Cheong A, Sampathkumar U, Jun, Chopra D, Hoffman, Merchant A, Hanson, Markey, Reece. Breast Decisions: Recommender System for Appearance Counseling about Breast Reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Nicklaus, KM, Gonzalez, XT, Sachdev, K, Liu, J, Chopra, DA, Hoffman, AS, Hanson, SE, Markey, MK, Reece, GP. What Does "dr. Google" Show Patients Searching for Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Photographs?. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open 10(5):E4331, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35702539.
- Wang, H, Liu, J, Bordes, MC, Chopra D, Reece, GP, Hoffman, AS. The role of psychosocial factors in patients’ recollections of breast reconstruction options discussed with their surgeons. Scientific Reports(12):7485, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Nicklaus, KM, Bui, T, Bordes, MC, Liu, J, Chopra, DA, Hoffman, AS, Reece, GP, Hanson, SE, Merchant, F, Markey, MK. Goldilocks Principle. Frontiers in Psychology 12, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34539505.
- Nicklaus KM, Bui T, Bordes MC, Liu J, Chopra D, , Hoffman AS, Reece GP, Hanson SE, Merchant FA, Markey MK. Goldilocks Principle: Preference for Change in Breast Size in Breast Cancer Reconstruction Patients. Frontiers in Psychology 12, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Chopra D, De La Garza R, Lacourt TE. Clinical relevance of a Body Image Scale cut point of 10 as an indicator of psychological distress in cancer patients: results from a psychiatric oncology clinic. Support Care in Cancer 29(1):231-237, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32342222.
- Zhang R, Tummala S, Chopra D. Thiamine deficiency in the outpatient psychiatric oncology setting: A case series. Palliative and Supportive Care, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33040773.
- Nicklaus KM, Bravo K, Liu C, Chopra D, Reece GP, Hanson SE, Markey MK. Undergarment needs after breast cancer surgery: a key survivorship consideration. Supportive Care in Cancer, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32215735.
- Chopra D, De La Garza R. Depressive, anxiety, and distress symptoms among cancer patients who endorse appearance problems. Palliative and Supportive Care:1-5. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30109833.
- Lacourt, T, Schubert, M, Siddiqui, B, Subudhi, S, Chopra D. Neuropsychiatric events following high-dose steroid administration during early immune checkpoint therapy are more frequent with extended steroid exposure. Support Care Cancer. Supportive Care Cancer 33(12):1031. PMID: 41205077.
Review Articles
- Vakili ST, Haywood D, PhD, Kirk D, Gopalakrishnan R, Sadeghi S, Guedes H, Tan CJ, Thamm C, Bernard R, Wong HC, Kuhn EP, Kwan JY, Lee SF, Hart NH, Paterson C, Chopra DA, Drury A, Zhang E, Dehkordi SR, Ashbury FD, Kotronoulas G, Chow E, Jefford M, Chan RJ, Fazelzad R, Raman S, Alkhaifi AM. Application of Artificial Intelligence in Symptom Monitoring in Adult Cancer Survivorship: A Systematic Review. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics 8, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Vakili, ST, Haywood, D, Kirk, D, Abdou, AM, Gopalakrishnan, R, Sadeghi, S, Guedes, H, Tan, CJ, Thamm, C, Bernard, R, Wong, HC, Kuhn, EP, Kwan, JY, Lee, SF, Hart, NH, Paterson, C, Chopra, DA, Drury, A, Zhang, E, Dehkordi, SR, Ashbury, FD, Kotronoulas, G, Chow, E, Jefford, M, Chan, RJ, Fazelzad, R, Raman, S, Alkhaifi, M. Application of Artificial Intelligence in Symptom Monitoring in Adult Cancer Survivorship. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics 8, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39621952.
- McFarland, DC, Merchant, D, Khandai, A, Mojtahedzadeh, M, Ghosn, O, Hirst, J, Amonoo, HL, Chopra, DA, Niazi, S, Brandstetter, J, Gleason, A, Key, G, di Ciccone, BL. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Bleeding Risk. Current Psychiatry Reports 25(3):113-124, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36708455.
Other Articles
- McFarland, D, Merchant, D, Khandai, A, Mojtahedzadeh, M, Ghosn, O, Hirst, J, Amonoo, H, Chopra, D, Niazi, S, Brandstetter, J, Gleason, A, Key, G, Ciccone D, B L Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) Bleeding Risk: Considerations for the Consult-Liaison Psychiatrist. Current psychiatry reports 25(3):113–124, 2023.
- Chopra D, Baile W Suicidal while receiving breast cancer treatment. Current Psychiatry 19(2):47-53, 2020.
- Shabih M, Martinez AD, Valentine AD, Chopra D Interactive Clinical Dashboard for Psychiatric Oncology Services at a Cancer Institution: A Quality Initiative. Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement 1(2).
Editorials
- Chopra D, Robb G. Body image: Integral aspect of psychosocial evaluation for patients undergoing breast reconstruction 00:1-2, 2020.
Abstracts
- Norman Ali, Lara Magnabosco, Josiah Halm, Maria Susan Gaeta, Tocara Soones, Chopra D, Heather Lin, Sandeep R. Pagali, Shant Ayanian. Validation of the Mayo Delirium Prediction tool in individuals with Cancer, 2025.
- Sachdev K, Nicklaus KM, Liu J, Chopra D, AubriHoffman, Reece G, Hanson S, Markey MK. What is “Dr.Google” Showing Patients About Breast Reconstruction?. Plastic Surgery Research Council Annual Meeting (May 2020). (This conference could not be held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an alternate format, e-Posters were distributed via Instagram in June 2020.), 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Cook M, Nicklaus KM, Bordes MC, Liu J, Engelmann J, Chopra D, Reece GP, Hanson SE, Markey MK. “Saliency Maps of Images of Facial Disfigurements from Head and Neck Cancer.”. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting (2019), 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Nicklaus KM, Callado E, Cho J, Bordes MC, Liu J, Chopra D, Engelmann JM, Reece GP, Hanson SE, Markey MK. “Investigating observer gaze patterns on facial disfigurements from head and neck cancer,”. Medical Image Perception Society (MIPS) XVIII Conference (2019), 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Nicklaus KM, Bordes MC, Liu J, Chopra D, Reece GP, Hanson SE, Markey MK. “Longitudinal satisfaction with information for breast reconstruction patients”. American Medical Informatics Association Annual Symposium (AMIA) (2019), 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Nicklaus KM, Bordes MC, Chopra D, Reece GP, Hanson SE, K Markey AM. “Appearance Counseling Needs of Breast Reconstruction Patients”. Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting (2019), 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Vakili S, Haywood D, Chopra D, Kirk D, Abdou A, Gopalakrishnan R, Sadeghi S, Guedes H, Tan C, Thamm C, Bernard R, Wong H, Kuhn E, Kwan J, Lee S, Hart N, Paterson C, Drury A, Zhang E, Dehkordi S, Ashbury F, Kotronoulas G, Chow E, Jefford M, Chan R, Fazelzad R, Raman S, Alkhaifi M. Application of Artificial Intelligence in Symptom Monitoring in Adult Cancer Survivorship: A Systematic Review. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer.
- Chopra D, Lacourt T. Effects of steroid exposure on neuropsychiatric events in cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitors. Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry 2024.
- Chopra D. Validation of the Mayo Delirium Prediction tool inindividuals with cancer. The Society of Hospital Medicine.
- Chopra D. Validation of the Mayo Delirium Prediction Tool in individuals with Cancer. American Geriatrics Society 2025 Annual Meeting.
Book Chapters
- Shinn, EH, Chopra, DA. Psychosocial considerations in head and neck cancer, 283-302, 2024.
Letters to the Editor
- Chopra D, Lacourt T. Depression is associated with higher body image concerns in cancer patients with either visible or non-visible tumors: Findings from a psychiatric oncology clinic. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 71: 130-131, 2021.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 26, 2026