Dr. Carpenter’s major research interest is severe mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. His approach to the care and study of patients encompasses a medical model integrating biological, psychological and social data pertinent to diagnosis, treatment and etiology. His work has led to fundamental contributions in psychopathology, assessment methodology, testing of new treatments and research ethics. His current research is on integrating animal, human and clinical models to develop novel therapeutics.

Dr. Carpenter began his research at the National Institute of Mental Health and then collaborated in the World Health Organization International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia. Dr. Carpenter gave expert testimony in the cases of U.S. v. John Hinckley and Rennie et al v. New Jersey. In 1989, he was a member of the State Department delegation to inspect the political use of psychiatry in the Soviet Union.