Dr. Michael E. Thase is a distinguished psychiatrist and internationally recognized authority in mood disorder treatment whose career has significantly shaped contemporary approaches to clinical psychopharmacology. He currently serves as Professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Section, maintaining dual appointments at both the university and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A 1979 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Dr. Thase completed his psychiatric training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he served as Chief of the Division of Academic Adult Psychiatry before joining Penn in 2007. His transition to Philadelphia marked the culmination of over two decades of clinical and research leadership that established him as a preeminent figure in psychiatric therapeutics.
Dr. Thase's groundbreaking research has profoundly influenced the understanding and treatment of depression and bipolar disorders through his extensive work on treatment-resistant depression and differential therapeutics. He has conducted seminal studies on novel antidepressants and cognitive behavior therapy, serving as one of the principal architects of the landmark STAR*D and STEP-BD studies that have redefined clinical practice guidelines worldwide. With over 900 scientific publications and 17 books to his name, his contributions span from evaluating ketamine-like drugs to investigating the predictive value of pharmacogenomics for antidepressant therapy. His rigorous clinical trials have established critical frameworks for understanding treatment response patterns and developing personalized approaches to mood disorder management that are now standard practice in psychiatric care.
Beyond his research achievements, Dr. Thase has been instrumental in advancing psychiatric education and clinical practice through his leadership roles in major professional organizations. He serves as a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and was elected to Penn Medicine's Academy of Master Clinicians in 2019, an honor bestowed upon only 2% of the medical faculty. His current research focuses on improving and sustaining the outcomes of neuromodulation strategies with cognitive behavioral therapy, continuing his lifelong commitment to translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice. As a former President of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology and member of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Dr. Thase remains a central figure in shaping the future direction of psychiatric research and therapeutic innovation.
