Dr. Nestler traces his interest in science back to an unusual home laboratory in the basement of his family's house in Nassau County, Long Island. Guided by his father, a high school biology teacher in the New York City public school system, he learned how to design and carry out experiments. These projects later became award-winning science fair entries and set the stage for an academic path through Yale University, where he earned BA, PhD, and MD degrees while training under Dr. Greengard.
Building a New Field in Molecular Psychiatry
His decision to name his research group at Yale Medical School "The Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry" turned out to be remarkably forward-thinking. At a time when applying molecular biology to psychiatric questions was still considered bold, Dr. Nestler and colleague Dr. Ron Duman recognized that the field was ready for a new scientific direction. The name reflected genuine ambition. Within a few years, he was appointed Founding Director of the Division of Molecular Psychiatry at Yale, a role made possible when the sitting Director, Dr. George Heninger, voluntarily stepped aside. Dr. Nestler often recalls this moment as an example of generosity that he has tried to extend to younger scientists throughout his career.
Read Full Article Here
