Directors

The Center is led by co-directors Dr. J. John Mann and Dr. Randy P. Auerbach.

J. John Mann, MD

Dr. Mann received his medical degree from the University of Melbourne, and then completed his internship and residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He was trained in psychiatry and internal medicine and has a doctorate in neurochemistry. Currently, Dr. Mann is The Paul Janssen Professor of Translational Neuroscience (in psychiatry and in radiology) and co-director of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression at Columbia University. He also serves as director of the Molecular Imaging and Neuropathology Division at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He is a past president of the Society of Biological Psychiatry, the International Academy of Suicide Research, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dr. Mann is also a distinguished life fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology. Using functional brain imaging, neurochemistry, and molecular genetics, Dr. Mann’s research investigates the etiology of depression and suicide. He has published over 850 peer-reviewed papers and edited 11 books about the biology and treatment of mood disorders, suicidal behavior, and other psychiatric disorders. Dr. Mann has received numerous research and teaching awards, including the American Suicide Foundation Research Award, the New York State Office of Mental Health Research Award, the Klerman Senior Investigator Award from the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association, the Morselli Medal from the International Academy of Suicide Research, and the Mood Disorders Research Award from the American College of Psychiatrists.

Contact

Email: jjm@columbia.edu

Phone: 646-774-7553

Office Address: 1051 Riverside Drive, Suite 2917, Box 42, New York, NY 10032

Randy P. Auerbach, PhD, ABPP

After completing his undergraduate degree at Cornell University, Dr. Auerbach received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from McGill University and completed his clinical training at McLean Hospital–Harvard Medical School. Presently, Dr. Auerbach is an associate professor at Columbia University, and he serves as co-director of the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Depression at Columbia University and co-director for the WHO, World Mental Health International College Student Initiative. Broadly, Dr. Auerbach’s research aims to identify mechanisms, using a multimodal approach (e.g., experience sampling, passive sensing, EEG, MRI), that lead to depression onset and facilitate the transition from suicidal thinking to behaviors. This work has highlighted several promising phenotypes and biological markers that lead to the emergence of depression symptoms and suicidal behaviors, many of which may be important treatment targets. To date, Dr. Auerbach has published over 160 peer-reviewed manuscripts, and his research is funded through grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Tommy Fuss Fund, and the Dana Foundation. He is the recipient of a number of awards including, the David Shakow Early Career Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions in Clinical Psychology and the Richard Abidin Early Career Award.

Contact

Email: rpa2009@cumc.columbia.edu

Phone: 646-774-5745

Office Address: 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032