SPOTLIGHT
The T. Boone Pickens Foundation focuses grants to organizations that operate in its core giving categories (see “About TBPF”). The current partner spotlight is The University of Texas at Dallas Center for BrainHealth, a cutting-edge facility with a unique mission: To unite brain research and brain therapies in an active partnership to build healthy minds and restore health to injured and diseased minds.
No other institution in America has undertaken this dual mission. The Center, a scientific institute of UTD, is dedicated to understanding the brain’s ability to restore or protect healthy function, protect the brain through preventive measures for people of all ages and healing the brain through treatments that regenerate brain function.
The Pickens Foundation has donated $5 million to the center to fund educational and research initiatives in the area of brain science.
“You can’t help but be impressed by the research going on at the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth and their commitment to lead the way nationally in this very important field,” Pickens said in announcing the gift. “Top to bottom, I think they are putting in place the team that will lead to new breakthroughs in autism, attention deficit disorder, Alzheimer’s and other significant brain issues.”
Pickens says he believes brain research is one of the keys to quality of life now and for future generations.
“We are deeply grateful for Mr. Pickens’ generosity and for the confidence he has placed in UT Dallas’ ability to create breakthrough results in brain science,” says UT Dallas President David E. Daniel. “His gift enhances our ability to link advanced brain imaging technology with ground-breaking cognitive treatments.”
Center for BrainHealth director Dr. Sandra Chapman calls the Pickens gift “transformational — its impact will be far reaching and provide hope to thousands of children and adults and their families.”
The donations are funding:
- The T. Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair in Clinical Brain Science. In August, the Center announced that Dr. Denise Cortis Park, a talented scientist in the booming field of cognitive research of the aging, is joining UTD in January to direct the Healthy Mind Laboratory.
- The T. Boone Pickens Virtual Learning Center: a one-of-a-kind computer learning facility that will employ software programs for interactive learning. The center will house leading-edge programs that seek to potentially “re-wire” the brains of children and adults with various brain diseases, as well as serve as a learning center for healthy seniors to engage in brain-related education and training.
- Center for BrainHealth facilities and research programs: Completion of improvements to the Center for BrainHealth site and facility, located on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas, and program support for clinical research and treatment.
For more information visit www.centerforbrainhealth.org or call 214-905-3007.
