Derek M. Novacek

Biography

Derek M. Novacek, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, with an affiliated appointment in the Department of Psychology and core faculty status in the Center for Biomarker and Biobehavioral Research. He also serves as Staff Psychologist in the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, where he holds positions as Affiliate Investigator at the Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy and Affiliate Researcher at the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans.

Novacek completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Emory University in 2019, followed by an APA-accredited internship at UCLA's Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior and a postdoctoral fellowship at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System's Desert Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center. His research focuses on psychological and physical health outcomes among individuals with serious mental illness and homelessness, with particular attention to racial disparities and sociocultural factors. He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles and serves as Principal Investigator on a VA Career Development Award examining chronic stress, inflammation, and resilience in recently housed Black and White Veterans.

Novacek is a licensed psychologist in California, Michigan, and Iowa, and has received recognition including the Early Career Award from the Schizophrenia International Research Society and the Michael Irwin Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Publication Award from the PsychoNeuroImmunology Research Society. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Psychopathology and Clinical Science and has provided peer review for numerous journals in psychology and psychiatry. Novacek is a member of several professional organizations including the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, American Psychological Association, and Society for Research in Psychopathology.

Education

• PhD in Clinical Psychology, Emory University, 2019
• MA in Clinical Psychology, Emory University, 2015
• BA in Psychology, University of Notre Dame, 2013

Distinctions

• Honorable Mention, Minority Fellowship Program in Psychology, 2017
• Michael Irwin Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Publication Award, 2021
• Mental Health and COVID-19 Working Group, 2021
• Early Career Award, 2023
• Bowman Center Scholars Network, 2022
• Editor's Best of 2022, 2023
• Distinguished Contribution Poster Presentation Award, 2016
• Mark McLeod Award for Contributions to College Student Mental Health, 2018
• Stephen Nowicki Award for Teaching and Mentoring in Clinical Psychology, 2018
• Award for Contributions to the Integration of Science and Clinical Practice, 2017