Gustavo Turecki, M.D., Ph.D.

Gustavo Turecki MD PhD is a clinician scientist whose work focuses on understanding brain molecular changes that occur in major depression and molecular processes that explain treatment response. In addition, his work aims to elucidate the neurobiologicalogical basis of the suicidal brain. Dr. Turecki is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at McGill University. He is the Director of the McGill Group for Suicide Studies, the co-director of the Douglas Bell-Canada Brain Bank, and the director of the FRQS Réseau québécois sur le suicide, les troubles de l'humeur et les troubles associés (Quebec Network on Suicide, Mood Disorders and Related Disorders).

Dr. Turecki has conducted pioneering research which has led to our understanding of how traumatic life experiences impact brain gene function and increase long-term risk for suicide by epigenetically regulating critical genes involved in stress responses and behavioral development. He has authored over 330 publications, including research articles in leading peer-reviewed journals such as Nature Neuroscience, Nature Medicine, and Lancet. His work has been cited over 18,000 times and his contributions to the field have been recognized through 25 awards. He also serves, or has served, in the advisory boards of several scientific journals, and national or international scientific institutes/organizations.

Dr. Turecki is also an engaged clinician and heads the Depressive Disorders Program at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, where he treats patients with refractory major depressive disorder.