Dr. Mark Townsend is Professor of Psychiatry and Vice Chair for General Psychiatry at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans (LSUHSC). He is the medical director for psychiatry at the Interim LSU Public Hospital, LSUHSC's principle teaching hospital and a Tulane affiliate. His research interests include psychosocial and biological interventions for individuals with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as well as instructional methods in medical education. He has authored or co-authored more than seventy-five journal articles, book chapters, and edited volumes. He also serves as the Director of Medical Student Education in Psychiatry for the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans. Additionally, he has conducted more than 50 clinical research studies. Dr. Townsend holds a BA and an MS from the University of Chicago. He received his MD from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.