Oct. 22, 2025

Contact Dr. Scott Gabriel at 608-796-3473 or segabriel@viterbo.edu

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The public is invited to learn about the biological causes and treatment of depression at the annual Viterbo University Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium Friday, Oct. 31.

“Molecular Mechanisms of the Development and Treatment of Depression” will feature morning presentations by three prominent experts in the field followed by an afternoon panel discussion.

“Each of our outstanding speakers are involved in unraveling the molecular basis of depression and exploring new approaches to intervene and treat this disease,” said Dr. Scott Gabriel, Viterbo science faculty member and coordinator of this year’s symposium. “All are welcome to join this important conversation and engage with our speakers and community on this timely and relevant topic.”

According to a report issued earlier this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a 60 percent increase in depression among US adolescents and adults over the past decade.

“Depression is an increasingly urgent public health concern, making the topic especially important,” said Michael Alfieri, dean of the Viterbo University College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences.

The presenters:

• Erika Forbes, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry, psychology, pediatrics, and clinical and translational science at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on the development, pathophysiology, and treatment of depression and related problems in youth, with special attention to the role of neural reward, dopamine, and positive affect systems as mechanisms.
• Dr. John Mantsch is the Florence J. Williams Professor and Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. His research, continuously funded by the NIH since 2003, focuses on the neurobiology of stress, motivated behavior, and addiction using preclinical models. Notably, his lab investigates for more effective interventions for stress-related disorders and addictions.
• Kathryn R. Cullen, MD, is a tenured professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Minnesota Medical School and serves as director of the division of child and adolescent mental health. She leads a robust, NIH-funded research program examining neurodevelopmental underpinnings of adolescent depression, non‑suicidal self‑injury, and suicide risk. Her lab explores novel interventions—neuromodulation, psychotherapy, pharmacology, and creative arts—to foster recovery and resilience.

The Agnes W.H. Tan Science Symposium was created through the generosity of the late Viterbo alumna Agnes Tan, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Viterbo in 1963 and a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1967. She enjoyed a long career in academic and applied health-related research as an assistant professor of biochemistry at the University of Minnesota and as a research chemist at Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis.

The symposium is free, but registration is required. For complete details and to register, visit www.viterbo.edu/tss.

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