Daniel graduated from San Diego State University with a masters in statistics and from UC Berkeley with a bachelors in sociology. While in college Daniel started Active Minds at Berkeley, an antistigma organization, and pioneered a course, Understanding Depression, on the subject of major depression. After graduating, Daniel helped create Ending The Silence at NAMI San Diego – a mental health education program to middle and high school students. Daniel also conducted clinical interviews and assisted with research at the VA Medical Center’s Anxiety Disorders Clinic for three years. Daniel’s passions lie in providing support to youth and adults facing mental health challenges, improving access to care, and promoting an open dialogue about mental health. Daniel enjoys swing dancing, live music, and reading about science and technology.
Daniel is the recipient of The Leadership Award (2011), awarded by the Cal Alumni Association. Established in 1934, The Leadership Award is a merit-based scholarship that recognizes Cal students who demonstrate innovative, motivational leadership impacting their academic, work, or community environments.
Research Publications
Espejo EP, Castriotta N, Bessonov D, Kawamura M, Werdowatz E, Ayers CR. Transdiagnostic Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in a Sample of Veterans. Dec 2014 [in review]
Carmassi C, Akiskal HS, Bessonov D, Massimetti G, Calderani E, Stratta P, Rossi A, Dell’Osso L. Gender differences in DSM-5 versus DSM-IV-TR PTSD prevalence and criteria comparison among 512 survivors to the L’Aquila earthquake. J Affect Disord. 160:55-61, 2014.
Ristić-Ignjatović D, Hinić D, Bessonov D, Akiskal HS, Akiskal KK, Ristić B. Towards validation of the short TEMPS-A in non-clinical adult population in Serbia. J Affect Disord. 164:43-9, 2014.
Xu G, Lu W, Ouyang H, Dang Y, Guo Y, Miao G, Bessonov D, Akiskal KK, Akiskal HS, Lin K. Association of affective temperaments measured by TEMPS-a with cognitive deficits in patients with bipolar disorder. J Affect Disord. 161:109-15, 2014.
Carta MG, Moro MF, Lorefice L, Picardi A, Trincas G, Fenu G, Cocco E, Floris F, Bessonov D, Akiskal HS, Marrosu MG. Multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorders: the burden of comorbidity and its consequences on quality of life. J Affect Disord. 167:192-7, 2014.
Lin K, Xu G, Lu W, Ouyang H, Dang Y, Lorenzo-Seva U, Guo Y, Bessonov D, Akiskal HS, So KF, Lee TM. Neuropsychological performance in melancholic, atypical and undifferentiated major depression during depressed and remitted states: a prospective longitudinal study. J Affect Disord. 168:184-91, 2014.
Leung CM, Mak AD, Xiang YT, Lee S, Yan CT, Leung T, Bessonov D, Akiskal KK, Akiskal HS. Psychometric properties of the Hong Kong Chinese (Cantonese) TEMPS-A in medical students. J Affect Disord. 170C:23-29, 2014.
You may find Daniel’s most recent publications on ResearchGate.net