In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to an upcoming UCLA Alumni Town Hall session highlighting the work of the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge.
Established in 2012, the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge unites leaders in science and scholarship to understand, prevent and treat depression, one of the world's greatest health obstacles.
Featuring a panel of UCLA Depression Grand Challenge leaders and moderated by UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors member Devon Dickau ’07, MBA ’15, this Town Hall will:
Inform attendees about the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge and its mission
Review the current state of depression and mental health research
Discuss initiatives in support of our students and campus community
RSVP today and plan to attend this important Town Hall to learn about the work being done to treat depression and how alumni and members of the UCLA community can support the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge's efforts.
Michelle Popowitz, J.D., M.P.H., began working at UCLA in 2001 in the School of Dentistry administration. She was recruited to work for the vice chancellor for research and creative activities (ORCA) in 2011. In April 2012, she and a colleague started a pilot program to catalyze team research on campus that blossomed into the campuswide UCLA Grand Challenges initiative which now consists of two Grand Challenges. In her role as the administrative lead, Popowitz is involved with all strategic and operational matters related to the Depression Grand Challenge, including strategic planning, budget, fund management, various operations, fundraising, governance, intellectual property, partnerships and communications.
Michelle Craske, Ph.D.
Co-Director, UCLA Depression Grand Challenge
Michelle G. Craske, Ph.D., is professor of psychology, and of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, Kevin Love Fund centennial chair, director of the Anxiety and Depression Research Center, and associate director of the Staglin Family Music Center for Behavioral and Brain Health at UCLA. She is also co-director of the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge. As part of the DGC, she developed the STAND program for screening, tracking and treating anxiety and depression.
Nelson Freimer, M.D.
Director, UCLA Depression Grand Challenge
Nelson B. Freimer, M.D., is the Maggie G. Gilbert Endowed Chair and distinguished professor of psychiatry and human genetics at UCLA. He is the founding director of the UCLA Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics and of the UCLA Neuroscience Genomics Core. He also leads the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge. Within the DGC he is the Principal Investigator of the UCLA-Apple Digital Mental Health Study.
Devon Dickau ’07, MBA ’15
UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors
Devon Dickau is a mission-driven, entrepreneurial leader with experience driving large-scale social impact and transformational change in the corporate, entertainment, nonprofit and education sectors. Currently, Dickau is the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offerings leader for Deloitte Consulting, where he co-leads a $50 Million plus consulting practice and advises Fortune 500 organizations on DEI, social justice and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. Dickau is a sought-after strategist, executive advisor, author, speaker and facilitator in areas of corporate purpose, sustainability, DEI, talent strategy, leadership, culture, analytics and the future of work, primarily focused on media and technology clients.
