The University of California, Irvine has announced a $57.75 million gift from the estate of Audrey Steele Burnand in support of research into the causes of and treatment for depression.

The bequest will help fund the creation of the Noel Drury M.D. Depression Research Center—a campuswide center—and the UCI-managed Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. Named after a former Newport Beach psychiatrist, the Drury M.D. Depression Research Center will conduct innovative research in myriad areas—from biology and the health sciences to engineering, psychological science, and the social sciences. More than $55 million of what is believed to be the largest philanthropic gift to a U.S. university in support of research solely focused on depression is earmarked for advancing depression research at UCI. The remainder will provide perpetual support to the Desert Research Center.

In addition, the university’s research centers for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (UCI MIND), behavior and learning (the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory and the Conte Center @ UCI), and integrative health (the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute) may benefit from Burnand’s gift.

“This is an opportunity for UCI to make an enormous contribution toward helping the millions of people who directly and indirectly suffer from the effects of depression, which has become a major mental health crisis that can lead to job loss, social relationship breakdowns, drug abuse, and suicide,” said Frank LaFerla, dean of the School of Biological Sciences. “Through the discoveries made at this outstanding new research center, we look forward to becoming a global scientific leader in uncovering the underpinnings of depression and helping those who need it most.”

“This is a truly transformative gift from a longtime and great supporter of our vital work,” said UCI chancellor Howard Gillman. “Audrey Steele Burnand’s legacy will enable us to create a world-class research center that builds upon UCI’s historical excellence in the neurosciences to make life better for millions of people.”

(Photo credit: UCI/Steve Zylius)