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NEWS ALERT
Harvard Medical School Office of Public Affairs
Dr. Michael Greenberg Named Chair of Neurobiology
Dr. Michael Greenberg
BOSTON, Mass. (June 26, 2008)—Dean Jeffrey Flier has announced that Michael Greenberg will become the next chair of the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, effective Sept. 1, 2008. As chair, he will also hold the Nathan Marsh Pusey Professorship.
"A renowned molecular neurobiologist and award-winning teacher, Dr. Greenberg is uniquely suited to lead the department at a time when the understanding of the nervous system at a molecular, cellular, and physiological level will begin to have substantial influence on the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disease," Dean Flier said. "He will play a critical leadership role in fostering the academic vision for the department, while at the same time helping HMS take the lead in the broader, Harvard-wide neuroscience effort."
Dr. Greenberg's own research has expanded understanding of the molecular basis of the major events in neural development, the neural responses to injury and disease, and the potential for intervention, treatment, or cure. His research also has explored the molecular biology and genetics of autism spectrum disorders. He is a professor in the HMS Department of Neurobiology and directs the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Children’s Hospital Boston.
As a leading member of the strategic advisory group on biomedical research, he was instrumental in drafting the group’s initial report for neuroscience. A key recommendation is to drive the development and implementation of a Harvard-wide program in the field, whose goal is to bring the University neuroscience community together for collaboration and intellectual interaction. In his role as department chair, Dr. Greenberg will be a core adviser to Dean Flier in this effort, which will increase opportunities for basic neuroscientists to have more impact on human disease.
“I am excited and extremely honored to be entrusted with the leadership of this distinguished department, and look forward to working with my talented colleagues during this promising and exciting time for neuroscience,” Dr. Greenberg said.
“Michael Greenberg is an ideal choice to carry on the great tradition of HMS neurobiology leadership,” said Steven Hyman, Harvard University Provost and Professor of Neurobiology. “In addition to being a brilliant and productive scientist and leader in the field, he is also a great mentor and a collaborative and generous human being. I couldn’t be more pleased by his selection.”
Dr. Greenberg earned his BA from Wesleyan University and his PhD from The Rockefeller University, followed by postdoctoral training in biochemistry at Rockefeller and in molecular biology at New York University Medical Center. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the National Academy of Sciences, and has won numerous prizes for his investigations. In 2006, he received the Medical School’s A. Clifford Barger Award for Excellence in Mentoring, a prize given annually to faculty members who have established a long-term commitment to fostering strong mentoring relationships with students, trainees, and junior faculty.
CONTACT:
Judith Montminy
public_affairs@hms.harvard.edu
617-432-0442
Harvard Medical School has more than 7,500 full-time faculty working in 11 academic departments located at the School's Boston campus or in one of 47 hospital-based clinical departments at 18 Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutes. Those affiliates include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance, Children's Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Forsyth Institute, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Hebrew SeniorLife, Joslin Diabetes Center, Judge Baker Children's Center, Immune Disease Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Massachusetts General Hospital, McLean Hospital, Mount Auburn Hospital, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and VA Boston Healthcare System.