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Help us celebrate 50 years of the Semel Institute. Learn more

About Us

Leadership Team

  • Helena Hansen, MD, PhD

    Interim Director, Semel Institute | Interim Chair, Department of Psychiatry
  • Patricia Lester, MD

    Nathanson Family Professor and Executive Vice Chair Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
  • Mirella Dapretto, PhD

    Associate Director, Semel Institute
  • Monica Rodriguez

    Chief Operating Officer, Semel Institute
  • Amy Ragsdale

    Chief Administrative Officer, Semel Institute

Academic Leadership

Associate Chair for Academic Affairs
Tara Peris, PhD

Vice Chair, Community Engagement
TBD

Vice Chair, Education
Katrina DeBonis, MD

Vice Chair, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Eraka Bath, MD

Vice Chair, Faculty Development
Michael Green, PhD

Vice Chair, Research
Tara Peris, PhD

Clinical Leadership

CMO Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital
Erick Cheung, MD

NPBHS Medical Director
Michael Gitlin, MD

Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs
Erick Cheung, MD

Associate Vice Chair, Clinical Affairs
Jessica Jeffrey, MD, MPH, MBA

Vice Chair, UCLA VA Greater Los Angeles Health Care System
Barry Guze, MD

Vice Chair, UCLA Kern County Medical Center
Mohammed Molla, MD

Vice Chair, UCLA Olive View
Alex Kopelowicz, MD

Vice Chair, Harbor-UCLA
Michael Makhinson, MD

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee (EC), comprised of academic leaders from the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Institute, represents our strong commitment to shared governance. This body increases faculty involvement in decision making and administration and ensures representation of diverse interests. Through this committee, we are better able to serve our faculty, staff, and community. The EC participates in decisions regarding the programs, resources, and activities of the academic unit. During regular meetings, the EC considers major decisions related to planning, coordinating, implementing, and revising programs, as well as resources and space. The EC is chaired by a faculty member selected by the Institute and Department Chair, with members of the EC selected to represent the diversity of faculty, programs, and activities of the Department and Institute, with additional members serving ex officio. Members will serve 2 to 3-year terms.

Current EC Membership

Mirella Dapretto – Chair
Eraka Bath
Erick Cheung
Steve Cohen
Chris Colwell
Katrina DeBonis
Christopher Evans
Jonathan Flint
Nelson Friemer
Michael Gitlin

Helena Hansen
Patricia Lester
Steve Marder
Jeanne Miranda
Tara Peris
Monica Rodriguez
Tom Strouse
April Thames
Amy Ragsdale