Katherine Keyes Appointed Director of the Susan Lasker Brody Center for Population Mental Health

Katherine Keyes, PhD, a leader in psychiatric epidemiology and population mental health research, was appointed as the inaugural director of the Susan Lasker Brody Center for Population Mental Health and the Susan Lasker Brody Professor of Population Mental Health.

Keyes’ leadership will make a difference “at a time when mental health continues to rise as a public health priority,” Interim Dean Kathleen Sikkema, PhD, wrote in an announcement. “With an extraordinary record of research, administrative, and mentorship excellence, Dr. Keyes brings the necessary vision and expertise needed to guide the Brody Center at this formative moment,” she added.

Established in 2024 through the generosity of the Susan Brody Revocable Trust, the Center honors Susan Lasker Brody, MPH ’97—an esteemed alumna and former member of Columbia Mailman School’s Board of Advisors. The Center, launched in 2025, is dedicated to generating evidence-based, population-wide approaches to improving mental health and reducing inequities across the life course.

As director, Keyes will be responsible for shaping the Center’s vision, strategic priorities, and long-term impact. She will lead the development of innovative research initiatives; foster interdisciplinary collaboration across Columbia Mailman; build educational opportunities in mental health, and position the Center as a national and global leader in population mental health. A central component of her role will be collaboratively recruiting, mentoring, and supporting faculty whose work advances the Center’s mission and strengthens a collaborative intellectual community.

Keyes’ scholarship has helped shape the understanding of life-course trends in mental and substance use disorders, suicide, and the social and structural determinants of mental health.

She serves as Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Epidemiology and is the director of the Psychiatric Epidemiology Training Program, supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. She has served in numerous leadership roles at Columbia and beyond and is widely recognized for her commitment to mentorship and education. She is the recipient of the Mailman School’s 2025 Dean’s Excellence in Mentoring Award and the Society for Epidemiologic Research’s Carol J. Rowland Hogue Mid-Career Award, among other honors.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the Susan Lasker Brody Center for Population Mental Health,” said Keyes. “In partnership with our exceptional faculty leading mental health research across the school, we will endeavor to fulfill Susan’s vision for the Center to improve mental health and prevent psychiatric disorders, promote resilience and mental well-being, and foster a society where community, connection, and belongingness are prioritized as critical to health.”