Poitras Center to fuel early careers of 50 young scientists dedicated to psychiatric disorders research

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Patricia and James Poitras ’63, longtime MIT supporters, have launched a fellowship program for graduate students and postdocs studying major mental illness, expanding their MIT philanthropy to directly support early-career scientists. The commitment establishes 50 two-year fellowships through the Poitras Center for Psychiatric Disorders Research at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research. Five fellowships will be awarded every year for the next decade, creating a long-term talent pipeline focused specifically on psychiatric disorders.

The $10 million gift is the latest in a series of philanthropic investments from the Poitras family to strengthen MIT’s capacity to address the growing burden of severe depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other complex psychiatric conditions. “Pat and Jim have remained steadfast in their decades-long commitment to bold research that can transform mental wellness,” says Robert Desimone, director of the McGovern Institute and head of the Poitras Center. “Their remarkable support of rising talent...

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