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"People struggling with addiction are frequently judged rather than helped. I chose this field to challenge that stigma, to listen to their stories, and to provide the medical and emotional support they deserve." 

Nassima Ait-Daoud Tiouririne, MD, took to heart UVA Health’s strategic plan goal of Belonging for All, well before joining UVA Heath. Born and raised in Algiers, the capital and largest city of Algeria — as far back as she can remember, she expressed an interest in medicine and healthcare. Even in childhood, even for the smallest creatures. “I was always drawn to it. I loved mending things, and one of my favorite solo activities was building little clinics for injured insects,” she recalls.

She also grew up with a global outlook — fluently speaking Arabic, French, and English, and also speaking some Berber aka Amazigh, the language of the Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa.

Shift in Trajectory

Dr. Ait-Daoud earned her undergraduate degree and MD, and completed her first residency in psychiatry, from University of Algiers. Then she headed west with her husband — also a University of Algiers School of Medicine alum and now a UVA Health anesthesiologist and OB/GYN: Mohamed Tiouririne, MD.

“Moving to the United States wasn’t originally my plan — it was my husband who pursued an opportunity to specialize in a different medical field and participate in research,” Dr. Ait-Daoud explains. “I came with him and in the process, my entire trajectory shifted in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It opened new doors for me — ultimately shaping my career and passion in ways I never expected.”

She completed her second residency in psychiatry at UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Ait-Daoud says she found both psychiatry residencies very helpful — they were different enough that they give her different perspectives in the field. She also completed fellowships at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. 

“Since I did two residencies in psychiatry, I am obviously very dedicated to the field. Psychiatry offers a profound opportunity to explore the complexities of human behavior and the mind. I’ve always been drawn to understanding what drives people’s actions, emotions, and struggles. By uncovering these underlying factors — I can provide more personalized, compassionate, and effective care.”

Cutting Edge Science

The board-certified psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist joined UVA School of Medicine faculty in 2005, and her roles in Charlottesville have been growing ever since:

For two decades, Dr. Ait-Daoud has served as a Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at UVA School of Medicine, teaching undergraduate and medical students, residents, and fellows.

In the UVA Health Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences: since 2016, Dr. Ait-Daoud has served as Associate Director, Psychiatry Residency Program; since 2018, Addiction Medicine Fellowship Director.

Since 2005, she has served as Director, Center for Leading Edge Addiction Research (CLEAR) outpatient psychiatry services. “At CLEAR, I have a wonderful team of researchers and community specialists working to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact, ensuring cutting edge science translates into meaningful change for individuals and communities struggling with substance use disorders.”

She adds, “Mental health is the foundation of overall well-being — yet it is often misunderstood or overlooked.”

Dr. Ait-Daoud also has served, since 2013, as Medical Director of UVA Health Ambulatory Psychiatry and of the Office-Based Addiction Treatment (OBAT) Services, providing outpatient medication-assisted treatment and supportive therapy to help reduce drug use and related physical and mental consequences.

Respect and Hope

Her expertise lies in the pharmacological treatment of alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders. Dr. Ait-Daoud’s special interests include medication development for the treatment of addictions, and understanding what’s behind drug cravings associated with treatment response. She sees patients privately and with residents in the Division of Outpatient Psychiatry.

Dr. Ait-Daoud’s research focuses on the development of medications and other treatment for addictions, and linking clinical psychopharmacological research with biochemical studies to understand addiction associated with craving and treatment response. The impact of her work is felt far and wide. She is a principal investigator on multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded projects and a co-investigator on many other NIH-funded grants.

Since July 2024, Dr. Ait-Daoud has been leading the SmART (street medicine, access, reduction, and treatment) program to improve opioid-use disorder care at The Haven, a day shelter and housing resource center. The partnership offers medical care, medications, counseling, mental health support, case management, social services, follow-up care, and harm reduction to community members experiencing housing instability and poverty. 

“We aim to deliver integrated and compassionate care to individuals experiencing opioid-use disorder who are otherwise unhoused and unable to seek care,” describes Dr. Ait-Daoud.

“People struggling with addiction are frequently judged rather than helped,” she explains. “I chose this field to challenge that stigma, to listen to their stories, and to provide the medical and emotional support they deserve. Addiction is a treatable condition, and every person in recovery deserves respect and hope.”

Learn more from Dr. Ait-Daou in:

• Research in Motion video on the use of focused ultrasound to target the insular cortex of the brain to assess its role in cocaine craving.
• Virginia Hospital and Health Association’s Patients Come First podcast on substance abuse disorder, addiction research, and clinical trials.
• Washington Post article: “Ultrasound Technology Is Used in Many Ways. Addiction Is the Next Frontier”