New director named for National Institute of Mental Health

Joshua A. Gordon, MD, PhD, has been selected as the new director of the National Institute of Mental Health.

National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, announced the choice, saying Gordon is expected to assume the role in September.

“Josh is a visionary psychiatrist and neuroscientist with deep experience in mental health research and practice.  He is exceptionally well qualified to lead the NIMH research agenda to improve mental health and treatments for mental illnesses,” Collins said. “We’re thrilled to have him join the NIH leadership team.”

Gordon currently serves as an associate professor of psychiatry at Columbia University in New York City, a position he’s held since 2004, and as a research psychiatrist at New York State Psychiatric Institute. He earned his degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of California San Francisco Medical School. He’s also been a member of Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s Depression Task Force since 2012.

He takes over for acting director Bruce Cuthbert, PhD.

“I want to recognize and thank NIMH Acting Director Bruce Cuthbert, Ph.D., for his exemplary leadership of the NIMH over the past several months,” Collins said.

Collins had been in charge since November, when longtime director Thomas Insel, MD, stepped down after 13 years at the helm.