Ira Lesser

Ira Lesser is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine. His academic career has focused on psychiatric research with an emphasis on depression treatment and ethnic/racial disparities in mental health diagnosis and care.

Dr. Lesser's research interests primarily center around:

• Depression treatment outcomes across different ethnic and racial groups
• Antidepressant medication response and efficacy
• Cultural factors in psychiatric diagnosis and treatment
• Mental health services research
• Psychiatric aspects of geriatric care
• Religiosity and mental health treatment outcomes

Analysis of Dr. Lesser's publication record from 2002-2017 reveals a strong focus on ethnic and racial differences in depression diagnosis and treatment. His work frequently examines how cultural factors influence clinical assessment and antidepressant response, with numerous publications stemming from large clinical trials such as CO-MED and STAR*D. His research spans both clinical psychiatry and health services aspects of mental healthcare delivery, with particular attention to socioeconomic factors, insurance status, and treatment adherence in diverse patient populations.

Dr. Lesser has served as Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded research projects:

• "Ethnicity and the Diagnosis of Affective Illness" (NIH R01MH068795, 2005-2010)
• "Ethnic Variations in Antidepressant Response" (NIH R01MH062421, 2001-2008)
• "BRAIN LESIONS AND COGNITION IN LATE-ONSET DEPRESSION" (NIH R01MH043960, 1991-1995)

His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions, with frequent co-authorship with researchers from UCSD, UC Davis, and other UC campuses. Dr. Lesser has contributed to numerous large-scale clinical trials examining depression treatment, including the Combining Medications to Enhance Depression Outcomes (CO-MED) study and the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial, where he investigated treatment outcomes across diverse demographic groups. His additional affiliation with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (as indicated by his email address) demonstrates his commitment to public sector mental healthcare delivery.