Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior

Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Name	Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
Established	2004
Parent	University of California, Los Angeles
Affiliation	UCLA Health
Director	Kelsey C. Martin
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States

Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior is a premier interdisciplinary research and clinical center dedicated to understanding the complexities of the human brain and advancing treatments for neurological disorders and psychiatric illnesses. Established in 2004 through a transformative gift from philanthropists Jane Semel and Terry Semel, the institute is an integral component of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and UCLA Health. It serves as the central hub for integrating pioneering neuroscience research with comprehensive clinical care and innovative educational programs, operating within the broader ecosystem of the UCLA Brain Research Institute.

History and establishment

The institute was formally founded in 2004 following a landmark $25 million donation from Jane Semel and Terry Semel, the former chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. and Yahoo!. This philanthropic investment was designed to unify and elevate the diverse neuroscience and psychiatry efforts across the University of California, Los Angeles campus. The creation of the institute built upon a long legacy of excellence in these fields at UCLA, which included foundational work by pioneers like John Liebeskind in pain research and the establishment of the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital in 1959. The gift catalyzed the physical and programmatic integration of previously dispersed departments and centers, fostering a new era of collaborative, interdisciplinary investigation into the biological basis of behavior.

Organizational structure and divisions

The Semel Institute is organizationally structured under the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and is closely aligned with UCLA Health for clinical operations. It houses several major academic departments, including the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the UCLA Department of Neurology. The institute encompasses numerous specialized research centers and programs, such as the UCLA Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, the UCLA Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program, and the UCLA Depression Research and Clinic Program. It also includes the UCLA Child & Adolescent Mood Disorders Program and the UCLA Anxiety and Depression Research Center. Administrative leadership is provided by a director, with oversight from deans of the medical school and executives of UCLA Health.

Research focus and programs

Research at the institute spans the full spectrum of neuroscience, from molecular and genetic studies to systems-level neuroimaging and human behavior. Major research initiatives are focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Key programs leverage advanced technologies like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at the UCLA Ahmanson-Lovelace Brain Mapping Center and genomic sequencing. The institute is also a national leader in translational research, rapidly moving discoveries from laboratory benches, such as those in the UCLA Brain Research Institute, into clinical trials and novel therapeutic interventions.

Clinical services and patient care

The institute provides a comprehensive array of outpatient and inpatient clinical services through the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital and various specialty clinics. These services offer state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders at the UCLA Eating Disorders Program, substance use disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Clinical care is deeply integrated with research, allowing patients access to cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials. The institute's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA is a flagship facility providing acute psychiatric care and is a core training site for fellows and residents.

Education and training

As part of a major academic medical center, the Semel Institute is deeply committed to educating the next generation of scientists and clinicians. It offers extensive training programs, including residency and fellowship positions in psychiatry, neurology, and neuropsychology through the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The institute also provides training for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers in neuroscience through the UCLA Brain Research Institute and supports educational outreach to the community. Its faculty are integral to teaching medical students, graduate students in programs like the UCLA Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, and practicing professionals through continuing medical education.

Notable faculty and achievements

The institute has been home to many distinguished researchers and clinicians who have made seminal contributions to the field. Notable faculty have included Peter Whybrow, an expert on bipolar disorder; Michael Fanselow, known for his work on the neurobiology of fear; and Carrie Bearden, a leading researcher in the genetics of schizophrenia. Achievements originating from the institute include pioneering the use of cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD, major discoveries in the neurocircuitry of addiction, and leadership in national consortia like the NIH-funded Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Faculty have received prestigious honors such as the National Academy of Medicine membership and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation awards.

Category:University of California, Los Angeles Category:Medical and health organizations based in California Category:Neuroscience research institutes in the United States