ORI Scientist Emeritus, Peter M. Lewinsohn, Ph.D., a highly respected and influential scientist in the field of the etiology, prevention and treatment of depression, passed in December 2022. Dr. Lewinsohn was a prolific scientist, strong mentor, and a wonderful colleague. His absence is keenly felt.

Peter M. Lewinsohn received his Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University in 1955. His initial research activities were focused on psychosomatic issues, assessment, the measurement of improvement, and hallucinations and delusions. Starting in 1964, Dr. Lewinsohn’s research interests began to focus on the topic of depression, which became central to all of his continuing research. Dr. Lewinsohn began a long association with the University of Oregon in 1965. After retiring from the UO, Lewinsohn joined ORI as a Senior Scientist.

While at ORI, Dr. Lewinsohn developed one the largest and most comprehensive studies that encompassed children, adolescents, and adults (the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project). From this study, he made key discoveries related to the etiology of depression across the lifespan. He created the Coping with Depression Course which has been translated into many languages and used around the world. This approach is embodied in Behavioral Activation, a widely used and highly effective treatment of depression.

Dr. Lewinsohn’s later research included (a) the role of family history of mental disorder in the transmission of mental disorder across generations, (b) factors which influence the course of mental disorder from childhood-adolescence to young adulthood, (c) clinical significance of subthreshold disorders, (d) clinical predictors of chronic depression and anxiety and, (e) intergenerational risk factors and consequences of obesity.

Dr. Lewinsohn’s groundbreaking research on depression had a profound influence on the understanding and treatment of depression, and his important legacy continues through the depression research done here at ORI and around the world.