News
Semel In the News: August 2025
Semel Faculty and Researchers are well-known in their fields. See below for a selection of recent articles highlighting their work and expertise.
CNN- The Hobby That’s Costing Young Men Tens of Thousands of Dollars
Interview with Dr. Timothy Fong, co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship and professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/23/business/sports-gambling-risk-young-men
Smithsonian Magazine- The Mere Sight of Someone Sick Triggers an Immune Response, Study Suggests
Expert commentary from Dr. Michael R. Irwin, Norman Cousins professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral science and director of the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-mere-sight-of-someone-sick-triggers-an-immune-response-study-suggests-180987086/
ABC News- Autism diagnoses happening earlier for boys but many girls still wait years, analysis finds
Expert commentary from Dr. Catherine Lord, the George Tarjan Distinguished professor of psychiatry at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/autism-diagnoses-happening-earlier-boys-girls-wait-years/story?id=124586710
Additional coverage: Yahoo! News and Aol
NPR- This virus seems like it’s no longer a problem. It’s still a threat
Expert commentary from Dr. Ziva Cooper, director of the UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids and associate professor at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/08/14/g-s1-82460/mpox-virus-emergency
Additional coverage: KGOU and 271 others
USA Today- She thought it was just another energy drink. It took half her bodyweight and sent her to rehab
Expert commentary from Dr. Timothy Fong, co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship and professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/08/06/kratom-7oh-addiction-fda/85451305007/
Additional coverage: Yahoo! News and 35 others
CNN News Source- Mental and physical health is more connected than we might have imagined
Features Dr. Anne Saltzman, cardiac psychologist at UCLA Health. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ktRXQ8IsUo&t=1s
The Economic Times- Kratom addiction alarm grows in US as RFK Jr targets 7-OH: What is it and how can it impact your health?
Features Dr. Timothy Fong, co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program, director of the UCLA Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship and professor of psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-kratom-addiction-alarms-grows-in-us-as-rfk-jr-targets-7-oh-what-is-it-and-how-can-it-impact-your-health/articleshow/123145885.cms
Psychiatry Online- Veteran Voices and Visions Groups Offer Insight, Support, Recovery
Features Dr. Ippolytos Kalofonos, assistant professor-in-residence of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine. https://www.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.pn.2025.08.8.3
Aol.- 7 Ways to Soothe Your Nighttime Anxiety
Continued expert commentary from Dr. Michael G. Wetter, clinical psychologist and director of psychology in the division of adolescent and young adult medicine. https://www.aol.com/7-ways-soothe-nighttime-anxiety-133412178.html
iHeartRadio- Why do we sleep and dream?
Features Dr. Gina Poe, professor and director of Brain Research Institute in the Department of Integrative Biology & Physiology and Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-daniel-and-kellys-extraord-29862087/episode/why-do-we-sleep-and-dream-290293793/
PsyPost- Birth control pills reduce the brain’s functional individuality
Features research led by Dr. Nicole Petersen, assistant professor in residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. https://www.psypost.org/birth-control-pills-reduce-the-brains-functional-individuality/
The Knot- Autism Wedding Planning: Here’s How to Make Your Event Sensory-Friendly
Expert commentary by Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson, clinical professor and director of UCLA’s Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills. https://www.theknot.com/content/sensory-friendly-wedding
Conservative Review- Grief is a killer: New study details the toll a loved one’s death can take
Features Dr. George Slavich, director of the UCLA Health Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research, and professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA. https://www.conservativereview.com/grief-is-a-killer-new-study-details-the-toll-a-loved-one-s-death-can-take-2673853956.html
Health Digest- When You Feel Homesick, This Is What Happens To Your Body
Expert commentary from Dr. Jack Feldman, neuroscientist and professor of neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. https://www.healthdigest.com/1923800/what-happens-to-your-body-feel-homesick/