Supporting innovation and discovery in the prevention and treatment of depression
Through generous donor support, the Depression Center proudly fosters the work of promising early-career investigators through various scholar award programs. These funds critically advance the exploration of the origins and development of depressive illness. They also help drive the translation of discoveries into clinical applications and best practices to improve the care of those struggling with depression and other related illnesses. In supporting a new generation of investigators, we strive to reach breakthroughs in research and treatment that can improve the quality of life for those living with depression or even help prevent the disease from surfacing in the first place.
Todd Ouida Clinical Scholars Award
Established in 2002, the Todd Ouida Clinical Scholar Awards are designed to further the work of outstanding young researchers working in childhood anxiety and depression. Such funds provide powerful leverage in helping young investigators achieve successes that will enable them to become eligible for additional funding from public entities (such as the National Institutes of Health) further on in their careers. The award, along with the Todd Ouida Annual Lecture in Childhood Anxiety and Depression, honors the memory of Todd Ouida, a U-M alumnus and promising young professional who had triumphed over childhood anxiety but lost his life in the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks.
Rachel Upjohn Clinical Scholars
The goal of this award, established in 1998, is to train a new generation of clinical investigators focusing their research on depressive illnesses. The Rachel Upjohn Clinical Scholars program offers support to those young researchers who have chosen to devote a major part of their research efforts toward the study of depression. The fund, which honors Rachel Mary Upjohn Meader, has supported the work of nearly 50 scholars since its inception. Mrs. Meader and her husband Edwin were among the most ardent supporters of the mission and work of the Depression Center during their lifetimes.
Jack L. Berman, M.D. and Barbara A. Berman, Ph.D. Depression Research Fund
The Berman Research Fund supports junior investigators seeking pilot or seed funding for innovative research projects in the area of depressive illness. The fund is intended to promote innovation by allowing researchers to take risks to explore new areas of research, and to help investigators obtain preliminary results that will assist them in obtaining funding from government and other sources. The funded projects may be in neurobiologic research, psychosocial research, genetics, neuroimaging, or similar fields. The Bermans, U-M alumni and staunch supporters of the U-M Medical School, established the research fund in 2005 in recognition of Barbara’s parents’ lifelong devotion to the field of mental health.
