Impact Grants support innovative, forward-thinking U-M investigators who are interested in accelerating mental health research. The 2023-24 Impact Grant recipients include:  

Eisenberg Translational Research Award, $100,000

  • Recipient: Emily Mower Provost, Ph.D., professor and associate chair for graduate affairs, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, principal investigator
  • Project title: Measuring Emotions from Speech Using Smartwatches to Detect Variation in Mood
  • Research description: The goal of this project is to create a new smartwatch-based emotion measurement tool that will improve mood symptom severity measurement beyond what is possible with ecological momentary assessment (EMA). 

Oscar Stern Award for Depression Research, $100,000

  • Recipients: Addie Weaver, Ph.D., MPA, associate professor, School of Social Work, co-principal investigator; and  Joseph A. Himle, Ph.D., Howard V. Brabson Collegiate Professor and associate dean for faculty affairs, School of Social Work, co-principal investigator
  • Project title: Mental Health Can’t Wait: Developing and Testing a Technology-Assisted, Entertaining CBT for Depression Designed By and For High School Students
  • Research description: This project will support the development and evaluation of a new version of Entertain Me Well (EMW) designed specifically for and by high school-aged youth. EMW is an entertaining, evidence-supported, technology-assisted, 8-session cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) developed for adults with depression. EMW uses a character-driven storyline, presented as episodes in each session, to illustrate CBT principles and model skills that users apply in their own lives. 

Jack L. Berman, M.D. and Barbara A. Berman, Ph.D. Depression Research Award, $95,443

  • Recipients: Jeff Bohnen, clinical research associate, Department of Neurology, and MBA/M.D. candidate 2024, co-principal investigator; and Prabesh Kanel, M.S., Ph.D., research investigator, Department of Radiology, co-principal investigator
  • Project title: Could Ketogenic Interventions Represent a Breakthrough in Bipolar Disorder? A Pilot Clinical Trial with Functional Neuroimaging and Metabolic Biomarker Correlates
  • Research description: This project aims to study the effects of a ketogenic diet and a supplement known as ketone ester on people with bipolar disorder. This combination is believed to have positive effects on the body by creating more energy in cells and reducing inflammation, as well as being more accessible for patients to maintain over time. It may also affect brain activity and chemicals related to mood. By studying brain scans (neuroimages) and how the body processes energy (metabolic correlates), we hope to understand more about the mechanisms by which bipolar disorder works and how this diet and supplement combination could relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for those living with bipolar disorder.