Dr. Charles Raison is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine. He also serves as Clinical Director of the Mind-Body program and Co-Director of the Collaborative for Contemplative Studies at the University. Dr. Raison received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, MO, where he was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha and won the Missouri State Medical Association Award. He completed residency training at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital in Los Angele. Dr. Raison served as Director of Emergency Psychiatric services and Associate Director of consultation and evaluation services at UCLA prior to joining the faculty at Emory University. The recipient of several teaching awards, Dr. Raison receives research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His research focuses on bi-directional relationships between stress and immune systems, especially as these pertain to depression in the medically ill. His research ranges from immune system effects on central nervous system functioning to the application of compassion meditation as a strategy to prevent depressive symptoms in college students via reduction in stress-related inflammatory activity. In addition to his activities at Emory, Dr. Raison serves as the mental health expert for CNNhealth.com