Joshua A. Gordon is an American neuroscientist and psychiatrist who served as the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 2016 to June 2024.[1] He is also a senior in the Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI).[2]
Joshua A. Gordon | |
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| Born | November 16, 1970 |
| Alma mater | University of California Harvard University |
| Known for | Research on oxytocin and vasopressin, as well as their impact on social behavior |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | National Institute of Mental Health Emory University |
Early life and education
editJoshua A. Gordon was born in 1970 in New York City. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Harvard University in 1991. He then pursued his medical degree at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), graduating in 1997.[1]
Career
editGordon obtained a doctorate in neuroscience from UCSF in 2000.[citation needed] His studies were about neural origins of anxiety disorders. He later served as a faculty member at Columbia University and the University of Washington,[failed verification] continuing with his focus on the neurobiology of mental illnesses.[3]
In 2016, Gordon was appointed as Director of NIMH to replace Thomas Insel. He oversees the research agenda for NIMH which aims at providing understanding and solutions to different forms of mental illnesses including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.[1]
Research and contributions
editGordon's studies have helped in understanding the neurobiological factors contributing to anxiety and depression.[4] He has utilized various techniques such as optogenetics and modeling to examine the neural pathways involved in these disorders.[5][6] He has campaigned for more financial resources for mental health investigations and has been an activist against the social isolation of people with mental health problems.[7][8][9][4]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Statement on the departure of National Institute of Mental Health Director Dr. Joshua Gordon". National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2024-02-28. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Neuroscientist Joshua Gordon Named NIMH Director". Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "NIMH Director Joshua Gordon Elected to Rank of AAAS Fellow - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)". www.nimh.nih.gov. 2017-11-20. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ a b "NIMH director discusses progress, opportunities for research during visit at Ohio State". The Ohio State University. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ Zagorski, Nick (2023-06-28). "NIMH Director Outlines Current, Future Priorities". Psychiatric News. 58 (07). doi:10.1176/appi.pn.2023.07.7.54. ISSN 0033-2704.
- ^ "NIH names Dr. Joshua Gordon director of the National Institute of Mental Health". National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Joshua Gordon Appointed Chair of Psychiatry at Columbia University". Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D." Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D. | Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. 2017-04-03. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
- ^ "I am NIMH: Q&A with Dr. Joshua A. Gordon - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)". www.nimh.nih.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-15.