What really IS depression? What does depression research entail? How does research work, who benefits from it, why is participation so important, and how can we progress it even further? If you’ve ever wondered how research studies are conducted, this episode is for you! Episode 5 features special guests Dr. Manish Jha, Dr. Geoffrey Obel, and Dr. DeWanda Harris Trimiar in discussion about research study protocols, diversity in participation, safety and privacy, and community research design.

Dr. Manish Jha serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry in the CDRC, and has the endowed title of the O’Donnell Brain Institute Clinical Neuroscience Scholar. Dr. Jha is conducting clinical research that aims to identify the biological mechanisms of depression, anxiety and substance use disorders to inform the development of novel treatments. In addition to his research and educational activities, Dr. Jha maintains an active clinical practice focusing on evidence-based interventions for difficulty-to-treat depressive and anxiety disorders.

Dr. Geoffrey Obel has been advancing research and knowledge in public health for over 10 years, working with organizations to develop policies, procedures and programs that facilitate improved public health outcomes. Now, he serves as a National Project Director for the Innovative Development Research Engagement Manual (I-DREM) at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, working to increase recruitment and retention of diverse populations in Randomized Clinical Trials and Non-Experimental Studies.

Dr. DeWanda Harris Trimiar has her bachelor’s in social work, a master’s in Human Service Counseling, and a PhD in Counseling & Psychological Studies with a concentration in Research. She currently serves as a Research Patient Navigator and Recruitment and Retention Specialist for the Texas Node of the National Institute of Drug Abuse’s Clinical Trials Network. Here, Dr. Trimiar helps identify areas of interest for clinical trials, acts as a liaison for participants, and serves as Program Director for the RMIST study, developing the protocol and aiding in understanding of the science supporting the research.

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Contact us at DecodingDepressionPodcast@UTSouthwestern.edu

Learn more about the CDRC:

www.utsouthwestern.edu/labs/trivedi

www.utsouthwestern.edu/cdrc