McGovern Institute for Brain Research

**About Us** The mission of the McGovern Institute is to understand the brain and to apply that knowledge to improve human health and well-being. To accomplish these goals, we study the brain at many levels, across multiple disciplines, and we collaborate with academic, clinical, and industry partners around the world to challenge and probe the unknown. The McGovern Institute was [established in 2000](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/about/our-history-and-major-accomplishments/) by technology entrepreneur [Lore Harp McGovern](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/profile/lore-harp-mcgovern/) and the late [Patrick J. McGovern](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/about/patrick-and-lore-harp-mcgovern/), former chairman of International Data Group (IDG). Our director is [Robert Desimone](https://mcgovern.mit.edu/message-from-the-director/), the Doris and Don Berkey Professor of Neuroscience at MIT and former head of intramural research at the National Institute of Mental Health. The McGovern Institute has grown from six founding faculty members to more than 20 distinguished investigators including one Nobel laureate and six members of the National Academy of Sciences.