In Memoriam to a Colleague: Patricia Goldman-Rakic PhD
World-renowned neuroscientist Patricia S. Goldman-Rakic, a pioneer in the area of memory function and professor of neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry and psychology at the School of Medicine, died on July 31, 2003. She was a CTNA investigator who contributed to the understanding of translational research in alcoholism.
Professor Goldman-Rakic's research paved the way for scientists to understand the neurobiological basis of normal behavior and of disease. She brought a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the frontal lobe, a region of the brain once viewed as inaccessible to rigorous scientific analysis. She was the first to discover and describe the order and structure of this brain region, which is responsible for the highest level of cognitive functions.
Among her seminal discoveries was the demonstration that cells in the prefrontal cortex are dedicated to specific memory tasks. Dr. Goldman-Rakic's recent research at Yale focused on the role of signaling molecules and their involvement in a number of brain disorders and cognitive deficits. In the 1970's, she found that the loss of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex produced profound working memory deficits. This study changed the view of neuropsychiatry, and helped provide a rational basis for understanding the symptoms of mental illness and the effects of psychoactive medications. More recently, she discovered and sought to understand how a brief period of amphetamine abuse in early adolescence or early adulthood can produce long-lasting cognitive deficits.

In Memoriam: Lyn Pilowsky PhD

We pay tribute to our colleague, Lyn Pilowsky, who died on July 16, 2007. She was on the faculty of King’s College, University of London, UK. Her research interests were in probing novel targets for CNS drug discovery with in vivo receptor methods: investigating the neuropharmacology of psychiatric illness and other neuropsychiatric disorders with in vivo receptor SPET measurement; improving methods for analysis and interpretation of functional images and functional magnetic resonance imaging; a specialist knowledge of prescribing and researching novel antipsychotic drugs.

The note she had written for the King’s College website reveals her attitude about research and mentoring PhD students:

I came to King’s in 1990, and began my own PhD research programme supported by the MRC. This was extremely productive and I found the collegiate atmosphere at the Institute of Psychiatry made the period of my PhD exceptionally happy and rewarding. I was lucky to have been mentored and supervised by superb academic leaders and also to have access to all the teaching programmes that King’s provides. As proof of this, after 15 years I am still here. I have noticed that as time has gone on, the opportunities for students to socialise together and to work with outside partners has increased. In my own field, the job opportunities have dramatically improved as molecular imaging of the brain in mental illness has become a crucial step in new drug discovery. The new Centre for Psychosis Research, of which my section is part, is filled with smart, friendly people who are working on exciting leading edge projects. The ethos is supportive, encouraging and fun. We are very lucky to have research partners in centres of excellence involved in brain imaging studies.

	Anissa Abi-Dargham, M.D. Assoc. Prof. Psychiatry, Columbia University, Project PI, 212-568-6171, aa324@columbia.edu			Graeme Mason, Ph.D. Asst. Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ School of Medicine, Project PI 203-737-1478, graeme.mason@yale.edu
	Joyce Cramer, B.S. Assoc. Research Scientist, Yale Univ. School of Medicine CTNA Assistant Director, 203-937-3894 joyce.cramer@yale.edu			Diana Martinez MD, Ass. Prof. Psychiatry, Columbia Univ, Project Co-PI, 212-543-6628, dm437@columbia.edu
	Joel Gelernter, M.D. Prof. Psychiatry,Yale Univ. School of Medicine, Project PI, 203-932-5711, ext 3599, joel.gelernter@yale.edu			Daniel Mathalon, M.D., Ph.D. Asst Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ School of Medicine Pilot PI, 203-932-5711, ext.5539,daniel.mathalon@yale.edu
	Patricia Goldman-Rakic, Ph.D. Prof. Neurobiology, Neurology,Psychiatry, Yale Univ. School of Medicine, Pilot PI , 203-785-4808, patricia.goldman-rakic@yale.edu			Marc Potenza, M.D., Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ. School of Medicine, Pilot PI, 203-974-7356, marc.potenza@yale.edu
	Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Ph.D., Asssoc. Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ. School of Medicine, Project PI, 203-974-7595, suchitra.krishnan-sarin@yale.edu			Stephanie O'Malley, Ph.D. Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ. School of Medicine, Scientific Director, Clinical Core, 203-974-7591, stephanie.omalley@yale.edu
	John H. Krystal, M.D., Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ. School of Medicine, CTNA Director, 203-974-7538, john.krystal@yale.edu			Ismene Petrakis, M.D., Assoc. Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ School of Medicine, Project PI, 932-5711, ext. 2244, ismene.petrakis@yale.edu
	Ronald S. Duman, M.D., PhD., Prof. Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Yale Univ School of Medicine, Pilot PI, 209-974-7726, ronald.duman@yale.edu			Godfrey Pearlson, M.D., Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ School of Medicine, Pilot PI, 860-545-7757, godfrey.pearlson@yale.edu
	Brian P. Pittman, M.S., Statistician, Yale Univ School of Medicine, brian.pittman@yale.eduu			William R. Corbin, PhD, Asst.Prof. Psychology, Yale Univ, Pilot-PI, 203-432-1107, william.corbin@yale.edu
	Patrick Allen , PhD, Asst.Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ School of Medicine, Pilot 5, 203-974-7763, patrick.allen@yale.edu			Ralitza Gueorguieva, PhD, Assoc Research Scientist Epid/Public Health, Yale Univ, Biostatistician, 203-974-7529, ralitza.gueorguieva@yale.edu
	Jane Taylor, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Psychiatry, Yale Univ School of Medicine, Pilot-PI, 203-974-7727, jane.taylor@yale.edu			Vince Calhoun, Ph.D, Asst Clin Prof Psychiatry, Yale Univ, Co-Pilot PI, 860-545-7768. vince.calhoun@yale.edu

Research Facilities

Abraham Ribicoff Research Facilities
Connecticut Mental Health Center
34 Park St.
New Haven, CT 06519

VA Connecticut Healthcare System
950 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516-2770

Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center
The Institute of Living - Hartford Hospital
200 Retreat Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

Neuroimaging Center
Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center
New York State Psychiatric Institute, Unit 31
1051 Riverside Dr.
New York, NY 10032