This story appears in the March 2026 issue of Utah Business. Subscribe.
My dad founded Huntsman Cancer Institute, which has made incredible discoveries for cancer research using its access to the Utah Population Database — the only place in the world with this data!
This database links multi-generational family histories with the Utah Cancer Registry and other health records, allowing researchers to spot large, high-risk pedigrees and perform genetic studies to identify or trace inherited cancer or mental health risks. We’ve been able to make groundbreaking discoveries because of our access to the database, including the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which have been identified as tumor suppressor genes. We’ve also had breakthrough discoveries in colon cancer and melanoma.
Before my dad passed, he challenged us to “Find the cancer” of our generation. So, we put our sights on mental health and created the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI). We are changing the way the world treats and cures mental health disorders through research and care.
As the CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, I have learned so much from the leaders, researchers, clinicians, therapists and staff at HMHI. I have also learned that the insidious combination of stigma, lack of resources and policy issues continues to prevent so many from receiving the help they need. The effort needs fresh thinking!
What the Translational Research Building will provide
Set to open in early 2027, the Translational Research Building (TRB) is a one-of-a-kind building that will house a unique blend of groundbreaking research, clinical trials, opportunities for collaboration, community engagement and public policy efforts.
By radically rethinking what a research facility can be, this new 180,000 sq ft research building is going to help change that and will help the HMHI continue innovating in focused studies around addiction, autism, child development, mood disorders and suicide prevention.
Funded by public and private partnerships, the TRB will house wet and dry labs, a vivarium, a 7-Tesla MRI and advanced AI labs. Most importantly, the outcomes of the work in this building will benefit innovative programs as varied as crisis lines, mobile outreach, programs like Teenscope and Kidstar for youth, and the Optimal Aging Program for older adults facing challenges such as anxiety and depression. The TRB will also help foster further collaboration with national and international scientists, and its breathtaking views and café will be open to the public, helping to end the stigma around mental health.
What makes the combination of all these efforts under one roof so exciting is the ability to coordinate across all areas of mental health. By having world-renowned research, clinical trials, policy groups and back-end logistics together, Utah will continue to be at the forefront of innovation around mental health.
Ongoing stigma and recent drastic reductions in federal research funding for mental health have made it imperative that we come together again. Providing for those in our community who struggle with access to care must be bolstered by open dialogue, stigma erasure, financial support, collaborations and partnerships within the Utah business community. Only by working together will we be able to support the potential of this incredible facility and lifesaving work.
About Christena Huntsman Durham
Christena Huntsman Durham is the director, executive VP, and vice chair of the Huntsman Family Foundation. The Huntsman family carries their parents’ legacy and continues to support the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. In 2019, Christena and her siblings gave a historic gift of $150 million to create the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah.
Christena serves as the CEO of the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, which supports the Institute. She is deeply committed to advancing mental health and substance use disorder research. She is a strong advocate for public and private partnerships in tackling policy and healthcare reform, and innovative, community-based solutions to mental health challenges.
In addition to her leadership roles in mental health philanthropy, Christena works tirelessly to find solutions for individuals with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness and families suffering from domestic violence. She is an active board member of several organizations, including the National Ability Center, Catholic Community Services, The Road Home, the Jon M. Huntsman Community Shelter Trust, the Moran Eye Center, and the 2034 Utah Olympic and Paralympic Games Impact and Legacy steering committee.
A lifelong athlete, Christena never misses a morning workout and is always up for a good competition. She’s also known for her expert baking skills as well as her love of reading and travel. Christena and her husband, Rick Durham, her first childhood sweetheart at age 10, share seven children and sixteen beloved grandchildren.