Dr. Francisco Moreno is a professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson and the associate vice president for student engagement and career advancement at the U of A Health Sciences. During his tenure in the Department of Psychiatry, he previously served as director for inpatient, outpatient, residency and research programs, executive vice chair, and interim department head. He has a special interest in working with the underserved and has established clinical, educational and research collaborations to decrease the gap of mental health services in Arizona.
Dr. Moreno grew up in Sonora, Mexico, and attended medical school at the University of Baja California, Mexicali. He completed his residency in general adult psychiatry, fellowship training in neuropsychopharmacology and post-fellowship training in quantitative genetics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson. His research into the biology and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders is geared to improve our understanding of the brain basis for mental illness and the underlying mechanism of action of antidepressant/antianxiety drugs and treatment resistance.
As part of his academic efforts, he serves as the corresponding principal investigator for the NIH Precision Medicine Initiative’s “All of Us Research Program;” a multiple principal investigator for Az-PRIDE, an NIH-NHLBI grant to enhance the research skill and academic advancement of early career faculty from disadvantaged backgrounds; and the principal investigator and director of “Arizona HOPE,” a HRSA Health Career Opportunities Program that works with community and academic partners throughout Arizona to improve student readiness to join and succeed in health professions and health sciences programs.
U of A Health Sciences Office of Student Engagement and Career Advancement
Moreno, through his research collaborations, utilizes various research methodologies, including molecular, biochemical, electrophysiological and behavioral correlates of mood and anxiety. As a pioneer in clinical research with psychedelic agents for two decades, Moreno is involved in research to improve our ability to help individuals with difficult-to-treat mood and anxiety disorders. His work is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, the Health Resources and Services Administration, private foundations, and collaborations with industry. He has supervised and mentored many interdisciplinary students, psychiatry residents, research fellows and junior faculty.