Led by Lisa R. Fortuna, MD, MPH, MDiv, Professor and Chair, the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UC Riverside is a leader in research on mental health, addiction, and neurological care. Faculty conduct studies that range from digital health and trauma-focused interventions to substance use disorder education, immigrant and refugee mental health, and child development, as well as neuropsychology, substance use policy, geriatric psychiatry, medical education, narrative medicine, community models of mutual aid and medical humanities.

Our work is supported by federal and foundation funding and emphasizes translation from science to practice. Through partnerships with schools, pediatric practices, promotoras, and community-based organizations, the department generates impactful knowledge and expands access to care for children, youth, and families across the Inland Empire and beyond.

CREER Center (Community Responsive and Engaged Equity Research) The Community Responsive and Engaged Equity Research (CREER) Center is the research hub of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UC Riverside School of Medicine. CREER advances science by embedding community partnership into every stage of research, from design to dissemination. Its NIH- and foundation-funded research portfolio includes digital mental health interventions co-designed with youth, promotora-led models for prevention and navigation, and community-driven approaches addressing housing, food security, and cultural wellness. CREER also provides infrastructure for training, mentorship, and school-linked clinical program development, ensuring sustainability and impact in the Inland Empire and beyond through community partnered research. CREER leads innovative research projects that bridge science, culture, and lived experience. 

Currently Funded CREER Studies: