Olusola Ajilore

Dr. Olusola Ajilore is the endowed Center for Depression and Resilience Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) College of Medicine. He directs the Clinical Research Core in the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and leads the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program. His lab employs computational neuroimaging and digital biomarkers to study neuropsychiatric disorders.

Education:

• AB Biology, Harvard University (magna cum laude)
• MD/PhD Neuroscience, Stanford University
• Residency in Psychiatry, UCLA
• MS Clinical Research, Medical University of South Carolina

Ajilore's research focuses on three interconnected domains: 1) Neurobiological mechanisms of depression in aging populations using advanced MRI; 2) Digital mental health interventions including AI-powered tools; and 3) Vascular and inflammatory contributors to late-life depression. His work bridges computational neuroscience with clinical translation.

Analysis of his 372+ publications reveals consistent themes: neuroimaging biomarkers of depression recurrence, digital therapeutics for mood disorders, and mechanistic studies of stress pathways. Recent works increasingly address AI ethics, health disparities, and multi-modal intervention development.

Scientific Awards:

• UIC Faculty of the Year (2021, 2017)
• Advanced Research Institute in Geriatric Mental Health Scholar (2012)
• International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology Award (2011)
• American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Travel Award (2010)

He leads 39 active NIH grants including projects on:

• Digital interventions for comorbid obesity/depression (IGNITE)
• Voice-enabled AI psychotherapy (SPEAC)
• White matter integrity in depression recurrence
• Clemastine trials for late-life depression

As Associate Head for Faculty Development, he mentors junior researchers and teaches graduate courses in neuroscience and biomedical engineering.