Introduction to the McGovern Institute
In 2000, Patrick J. McGovern ’59 and Lore Harp McGovern made an extraordinary gift to establish the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, driven by their deep curiosity about the human mind and their belief in the power of science to change lives. Their $350 million pledge began with a simple yet audacious vision: to understand the human brain in all its complexity, and to leverage that understanding for the betterment of humanity.
The Founding of the Institute
Twenty-five years later, the McGovern Institute stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, continuing to shape our understanding of the brain and improve the quality of life for people worldwide.
In the Beginning
“This is, by any measure, a truly historic moment for MIT,” said MIT’s 15th president, Charles M. Vest, during his opening remarks at an event in 2000 to celebrate the McGovern gift agreement. “The creation of the McGovern Institute will launch one of the most profound and important scientific ventures of this century in what surely will be a cornerstone of MIT scientific contributions from the decades ahead.” Vest tapped Phillip A. Sharp, MIT Institute professor emeritus of biology and Nobel laureate, to lead the institute, and appointed six MIT professors — Emilio Bizzi, Martha Constantine-Paton, Ann Graybiel PhD ’71, H. Robert Horvitz ’68, Nancy Kanwisher ’80, PhD ’86, and Tomaso Poggio — to represent its founding faculty.
A Quarter Century of Innovation
On April 11, 2025, the McGovern Institute celebrated its 25th anniversary with a half-day symposium featuring presentations by MIT Institute Professor Robert Langer, alumni speakers from various McGovern labs, and Desimone, who is in his 20th year as director of the institute. Desimone highlighted the institute’s recent discoveries, including the development of the CRISPR genome-editing system, which has culminated in the world’s first CRISPR gene therapy approved for humans — a remarkable achievement that is ushering in a new era of transformative medicine.
Synergy and Open Science
“I am often asked what makes us different from other neuroscience institutes and programs around the world,” says Desimone. “My answer is simple. At the McGovern Institute, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Many discoveries at the McGovern Institute have depended on collaborations across multiple labs, ranging from biological engineering to human brain imaging and artificial intelligence.
The McGovern Legacy
Hundreds of scientific papers have emerged from McGovern labs over the past 25 years, but most faculty would argue that it’s the people — the young researchers — that truly define the McGovern Institute. Award-winning faculty often attract the brightest young minds, but many McGovern faculty also serve as mentors, creating a diverse and vibrant scientific community that is setting the global standard for brain research and its applications.
Conclusion
Looking to the future, the McGovern community is more committed than ever to unraveling the mysteries of the brain and making a meaningful difference in lives of individuals at a global scale. “By promoting team science, open communication, and cross-discipline partnerships,” says institute co-founder Lore Harp McGovern, “our culture demonstrates how individual expertise can be amplified through collective effort. I am honored to be the co-founder of this incredible institution — onward to the next 25 years!”
FAQs
Q: What is the McGovern Institute for Brain Research?
A: The McGovern Institute for Brain Research is a research institute at MIT that aims to understand the human brain and its functions.
Q: Who founded the McGovern Institute?
A: The McGovern Institute was founded by Patrick J. McGovern ’59 and Lore Harp McGovern.
Q: What is the main goal of the McGovern Institute?
A: The main goal of the McGovern Institute is to understand the human brain in all its complexity and to leverage that understanding for the betterment of humanity.
Q: What are some of the notable discoveries made by the McGovern Institute?
A: Some of the notable discoveries made by the McGovern Institute include the development of the CRISPR genome-editing system and the creation of a prosthetic limb fully controlled by the body’s nervous system.
Q: How does the McGovern Institute approach brain research?
A: The McGovern Institute approaches brain research through interdisciplinary collaboration, open science, and a focus on mentoring young researchers.
