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The UTHealth Houston Neuroscience Research Center (NRC) is a university-wide center where diverse and multidisciplinary research is conducted to further the understanding of the brain and brain disorders. Established in 1992, the NRC serves as an “umbrella organization,” which brings together neuroscience researchers within UTHealth to promote research, education and outreach.

Whether conducting cellular research in laboratories or clinical trials in patient care settings, the work of NRC researchers may someday contribute to preventing and treating such devastating disorders as:

John H. Byrne, Ph.D.,Director, Neuroscience Research Center
  • Dementias resulting from Alzheimer’s disease and stroke
  • Mental retardation and other learning disabilities
  • Mental illnesses, including schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness
  • Alcoholism and other substance abuse problems
  • Inability to process knowledge due to factors such as aging and head trauma
  • Disabilities due to disorders of the developing nervous system

More than 300 faculty hold NRC appointments, and are on the faculties of the McGovern Medical School, School of Public Health, Cizik School of Nursing, School of Dentistry, and School of Biomedical Informatics. Departments with significant NRC research activities within McGovern Medical School include Neurobiology and Anatomy, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging.

NRC activities are guided by an executive committee representing the six schools of UTHealth Houston. Members include: Jennifer Beauchamp, John Byrne, Linda Ewing-Cobbs, Amy Franklin, Michael Jacobs, Louis McCullough, Kevin Morano, Vuvi Nguyen, Joy Schmitz, Jair Soares, Nitin Tandon and Susan Tortolero Emery.

John H. Byrne, Ph.D.
Director, Neuroscience Research Center

John H. Byrne, Ph.D.,Director, Neuroscience Research Center