McGovern Institute for Brain Research
Encyclopedia
The McGovern Institute for Brain Research is a research institute within MIT. Its mission is to understand how the brain works and to discover new ways to prevent or treat brain disorders. The institute was founded in 2000 by Patrick McGovern and Lore Harp McGovern with a gift to MIT that is expected to total $350M over 20 years.
The director is Robert Desimone
, formerly director of intramural research at the National Institute for Mental Health. The 16 current faculty members include a Nobel laureate (H. Robert Horvitz
), a winner of the US National Medal of Science (Ann Graybiel
) and 5 members of the US National Academy of Sciences (Desimone, Horvitz and Graybiel, along with Emilio Bizzi
and Nancy Kanwisher
). The founding director (2000-2004) was Phillip Sharp, also a Nobel Laureate.
The McGovern Institute conducts research into all aspects of brain function, including perception, cognition and action. It also conducts clinical and translational research on a wide range of brain disorders.
The Institute’s core facilities include the Martinos Imaging Center, which provides neuroimaging technologies for human and animal research, including MRI and EEG
. A magnetoencephalography
(MEG) scanner is scheduled to be installed in 2010.
The McGovern Institute occupies approximately 85,000 sq ft (net) within the MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences Complex. This building, which was completed in 2005, also houses the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and is among the largest neuroscience research buildings in the world. The building was designed by Indian architect Charles Correa
in collaboration with the Boston-based firm Goody, Clancy & Associates, Inc
. It is one of the most distinctive landmarks on the MIT campus, notable especially for the railroad that runs through the center of the building.
The director is Robert Desimone
Robert Desimone
Robert Desimone is the director of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT. Prior to joining the McGovern Institute in 2004, he was the director of intramural research at the National Institute of Mental Health...
, formerly director of intramural research at the National Institute for Mental Health. The 16 current faculty members include a Nobel laureate (H. Robert Horvitz
H. Robert Horvitz
Howard Robert Horvitz is an American biologist best known for his research on the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans.-Life:Horvitz did his undergraduate studies at MIT in 1968, where he joined Alpha Epsilon Pi...
), a winner of the US National Medal of Science (Ann Graybiel
Ann Graybiel
Ann Martin Graybiel is a neuroscientist at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT. She is a MIT Institute Professor and a faculty member in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences...
) and 5 members of the US National Academy of Sciences (Desimone, Horvitz and Graybiel, along with Emilio Bizzi
Emilio Bizzi
Emilio Bizzi is a neuroscientist and Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is an investigator of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research and a faculty member in the department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences. He received his MD from the University of Rome in 1958...
and Nancy Kanwisher
Nancy Kanwisher
Nancy Kanwisher is a Professor in the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT. She studies the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying human visual perception and cognition. Her work investigates object recognition, visual attention, and perceptual awareness, as well as response selection,...
). The founding director (2000-2004) was Phillip Sharp, also a Nobel Laureate.
The McGovern Institute conducts research into all aspects of brain function, including perception, cognition and action. It also conducts clinical and translational research on a wide range of brain disorders.
The Institute’s core facilities include the Martinos Imaging Center, which provides neuroimaging technologies for human and animal research, including MRI and EEG
EEG
EEG commonly refers to electroencephalography, a measurement of the electrical activity of the brain.EEG may also refer to:* Emperor Entertainment Group, a Hong Kong-based entertainment company...
. A magnetoencephalography
Magnetoencephalography
Magnetoencephalography is a technique for mapping brain activity by recording magnetic fields produced by electrical currents occurring naturally in the brain, using arrays of SQUIDs...
(MEG) scanner is scheduled to be installed in 2010.
The McGovern Institute occupies approximately 85,000 sq ft (net) within the MIT Brain and Cognitive Sciences Complex. This building, which was completed in 2005, also houses the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
Picower Institute for Learning and Memory
The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory is, along with the McGovern Institute for Brain Research and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, one of the three neuroscience groups at MIT...
and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and is among the largest neuroscience research buildings in the world. The building was designed by Indian architect Charles Correa
Charles Correa
Charles Correa is an Indian architect, planner and activist.-Early life:Charles Correa was born in Hyderabad, India...
in collaboration with the Boston-based firm Goody, Clancy & Associates, Inc
Goody, Clancy & Associates, Inc
Hamilton Goody Architects is a firm founded in the 1950s by MIT faculty members Marvin Goody and Richard Hamilton...
. It is one of the most distinctive landmarks on the MIT campus, notable especially for the railroad that runs through the center of the building.