NAMI Scientific Advisory Council, 2025–2026
NAMI’s Scientific Advisory Council unites leading scientists, clinicians, and advocates to ensure that cutting-edge research and lived experience together shape the future of mental health care.
Together, some of the nation’s most respected scientists, researchers, and clinical practitioners will provide expert guidance to strengthen NAMI’s role at the intersection of research, science, and lived experience.
This volunteer group of thought leaders helps ensure that the latest scientific advances will continue to drive NAMI’s work, giving those with lived experience an even stronger voice in mental health and brain science.
The Scientific Advisory Council supports NAMI in:
- Increasing NAMI’s impact on science and promoting lived experience in the design, execution, and presentation of research.
- Providing expert review of NAMI content to keep our community informed with accurate, up-to-date scientific information.
- Identifying opportunities for NAMI’s involvement in external research, including strengthening our research promotion strategy and advocacy.
In forming this remarkable Scientific Advisory Council, NAMI is doubling down on providing the best science and research to serve families as well as our peers. These prominent thinkers and researchers have a broad range of expertise that will help us further improve our educational materials and advocacy – on topics ranging from A.I.’s role in mental health, to schizophrenia research, program evaluation, mood disorders, early intervention, crisis care, and more.”
Ken Duckworth, M.D., NAMI’s chief medical officer
Advisors
Margie Balfour, MD
Robert O. Cotes, MD
Lisa Dixon, M.D., M.P.H.
Robert K. Heinssen, Ph.D., ABPP
Eboneé T. Johnson, Ph.D.
Matcheri Keshavan, MD
Andrew A. Nierenberg, MD
Oladunni Oluwoye, PhD
Carolyn Rekerdres, MD
Altha Stewart, MD
John Torous, MD, MBI
Members of the Scientific Advisory Council serve as volunteers for terms of one, two, or three years.
Specific questions for NAMI’s Office & Research can be submitted to [email protected]