Joshua A. Gordon

Joshua A. Gordon
Born (1970-11-16) November 16, 1970 (age 53)
New York City, United States
Alma materUniversity of California
Harvard University
Known forResearch on oxytocin and vasopressin, as well as their impact on social behavior
Scientific career
InstitutionsNational Institute of Mental Health
Emory University

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 currently the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) and the Director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI).[2]

Early life and education

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Joshua A. Gordon was born in 1967 in New York City. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Washington University in 1989. He then pursued combined MD and PhD degrees at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), graduating in 1997.[1]

Career

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Gordon obtained a doctorate in neuroscience from UCSF in 1995 and a MD degree in 1997.[citation needed] During his PhD he characterized neural plasticity in the developing visual cortex of mice. He later served as a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University where his research focused on the neurobiology of mental illnesses.[3]

In 2016, Gordon was appointed as Director of NIMH to replace Thomas Insel. There he oversaw the research agenda for NIMH, one of the National Institutes of Health, and the largest founder of mental health research in the world.[1]

In 2024, Dr. Gordon returned to Columbia University to become the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and the Director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Research and contributions

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Gordon'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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Neuroscientist Joshua Gordon Named NIMH Director". Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ a b "NIMH director discusses progress, opportunities for research during visit at Ohio State". The Ohio State University. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  5. ^ Zagorski, Nick (2023-06-28). "NIMH Director Outlines Current, Future Priorities". Psychiatric News. 58 (7). doi:10.1176/appi.pn.2023.07.7.54. ISSN 0033-2704.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "Joshua Gordon Appointed Chair of Psychiatry at Columbia University". Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "I am NIMH: Q&A with Dr. Joshua A. Gordon - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)". www.nimh.nih.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-15.
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