Danielle Marie Dick is an American Professor known for being one of the top experts in how genes and environment plays a great role in the human lifespan in order to explore the pathways that can influence addiction.

Born in Germany to American parents, she grew up living in different countries. Her father was an Air Force pilot so the family travelled a lot. Danielle Dick went to school in different countries. She and her siblings were born in different countries.

After high school, she attended the University of Virginia having no plans as to what she wanted to do in life and what he profession would be. She ultimately decided to be a part of the pre-med classes and later took a psychology class. She found the subject fascinating - particularly about addictions work and other similar behaviors. She received Her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Biology.

She continued to study, and in 1997 attended Indiana University Bloomington where she completed her PHD research and dissertation.

After completing her post doctoral work, she became the Assistant professor at Washington University.

She is now a Professor in Psychology, African American Studies, and Human and Molecular Genetics at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Her research examines genetic contributions to substance use and mental health outcomes, and how the importance of genetic predispositions changes in different environments.

She has received millions of dollars of grant funding from the National Institutes of Health and won numerous national and international awards for her research.

She founded and directs the College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute and runs a study called Spit for Science with nearly 10,000 college students taking part.

On a Sunday in October 2015, Dr. Dick was feeling under the weather and reconsidered going to her appointment with Massage Envy until she decided that having a massage would help her relax. During her message session, the masseuse sexually assaulted her.

Massage therapist, Daeshawn Bullard, the masseuse who assaulted Dr. Dick, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after a legal battle that lasted more than a year.

She is now suing Massage Envy.