Q4 | 2016 Front row: Daniel Jr. and Heather Branch (with baby Waverly), Dan and Stacey Branch; Back row: Catherine Branch, Charles Branch, Terrell and Spencer Branch, Sarah Branch 2016 LEGACY AWARD HONORS DAN BRANCH “Dan Branch is a focused, knowledgeable uniter,” said Debbie Francis, Center for BrainHealth® advisory board chair. “He listens as well as leads, which is a pretty rare quality. Because of his leadership and advocacy on education, tremendous growth and innovation have occurred across the state.” On November 14, the Center for BrainHealth, This landmark legislation encouraged private research universities and inspired them to be part of The University of Texas at Dallas, giving to public emerging research universities, greater than they would have been otherwise.” presented Dan Branch with its highest honor, including UT Dallas, by matching private gifts the Legacy Award, given to individuals whose with state funds. Since 2009, more than $290 Dr. Richard Benson, president of UT Dallas, who vision and dedication enable the Center for million in state funds has matched more than was inaugurated into office last month, said, BrainHealth and its Brain Performance Institute™ $370 million in private gifts for research. These "Even a relative newcomer to this state can see to empower people of all ages to unlock their gifts and appropriations, along with National the tremendous impact Dan Branch has made brain potential. Research University Fund distributions of more on education in Texas. He was visionary in his than $105 million, represent a total investment efforts, and his work will continue to transform “Dan is a healer,” said Harlan Crow. “He can in Texas emerging research universities of $770 education and the economy of Texas for advocate strong principles but in a way million. As a result of House Bill 51, UT Dallas decades to come." that makes people want to embrace those has received over $80 million in state matches principles and follow his leadership.” on over $100 million in private gifts for research. “I am most grateful to the UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth for its outstanding work and Dan Branch’s desire to help others was instilled “The Tier One legislation may well be the most this gracious honor,” said Dan Branch. “Family in him in early childhood. He was raised in a important, transformative and wildly successful members, generous donors, academic leaders family who committed themselves to bettering legislation in Texas, relative to public higher and legislative colleagues are the real heroes the world both at home and abroad. Fueled education, in our lifetime," said Dr. David who inspired and supported my efforts to by his firm faith and his family, Dan Branch Daniel, deputy chancellor of The University advance education, innovation and scientific dedicated himself to a life of service, first in the of Texas System, who was president of UT research in Texas.” legal realm and then the political arena. Dallas when the Tier One legislation took effect. "Dan Branch's legacy will last decades, Because of Mr. Branch’s efforts, the Center for As a state representative from Dallas and probably generations, because it changed the BrainHealth and its Brain Performance Institute Chairman of the Texas House Committee game, not just for UT Dallas and the Center are achieving research and scientific discovery on Higher Education, Rep. Branch authored for BrainHealth, but for all public research milestones that were scarcely imaginable 10 House Bill 51, the “Tier One universities” law. universities in Texas. He changed the culture of years ago. 03 04 06 Friends of BrainHealth Award Q & A with Dr. Ian Robertson Stimulating Brain Funding to New Scientists The Stress Test Research Collaborations • Through our far-reaching research and programming, more than LETTER FROM 60,000 people have been impacted by our efforts, improving their brains' health and unlocking brain potential. the Chief Director Much of this monumental expansion has been made possible by your generous philanthropic funding, steadfast support and dedication to The past 10 years of brain science spreading the mission and message of the Center for BrainHealth and its have been remarkable. But the Brain Performance Institute™. Our work has just begun. incredible paradox of studying the brain is that the more we learn, We are embarking on a transformative paradigm shift to impact brain the more we need to discover. health today. With a positive, proactive and preventive approach, we are When I reflect on the last 10 years focused on building brain reserve and capitalizing on proven outcomes at the Center for BrainHealth®, we that harness the potential of the most complex human organ. We are have made enormous strides: uncovering commonalities that capitalize on the brain’s dynamic capacity to be strengthened in health and repaired after brain injury and disease, • We have attracted talented new faculty members – experts in and our efforts are complementary to those of our medical colleagues. brain imaging, addiction, computational psychiatry research, aging, In the next 10 years, we will launch major initiatives with collaborators neuroengineering and big data analytics. around the world, both within the fields of cognitive science and • We have published more than 200 peer-reviewed research papers. neuroscience and with our medical peers, to develop a measurable • We continue to expand a diverse portfolio of funding from the indicator of brain health and encourage and empower individuals to put National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, the state of their brain health at the top of their priority list. Texas and more. • We have launched new, collaborative studies with universities Our audacious goal: to double brain performance by 2027. We have across the U.S. the scientific evidence and roadmap to continue to make extraordinary • We have catapulted our efforts for delivery of scientifically based breakthroughs in brain health. Your continued support will be the programs through the launch of the Brain Performance Institute and economic driver, over the next 10 years, to pave the highway to develop recently welcomed an accomplished new executive director, Leanne and deliver brain health solutions to improve the world around us. Young, to lead its team. PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE HAS NEW DIRECTOR Leanne Young has joined the Center for BrainHealth® at The University of Texas at Dallas as executive director of its Brain Performance Institute™. A nationally recognized expert Young recently completed all the in blast injury research, Young requirements for a PhD in cognitive “I am fascinated by the brain,” Young previously worked with the neuroscience at UT Dallas. said. “The field of neuroscience is Department of Defense’s While studying under Dr. Daniel on the cusp of making dramatic Combating Terrorism Technology Krawczyk, Young combined her breakthroughs in brain research Support Office, the Office of Naval past career goals with a dual focus that will revolutionize brain Research, the Medical Research and on social neuroscience and virtual Materiel Command, and Defense reality-based characterization and health, and I am thrilled to Advanced Research Projects treatment of functional impairment be part of furthering the Agency (DARPA) on a variety of associated with traumatic brain UT System and Chancellor projects related to characterizing injuries. Her degree will be McRaven’s Quantum Leap and preventing traumatic brain awarded in December. efforts on brain research by injuries in a blast environment. “Leanne is one of the most capable developing and delivering Before joining the Brain and talented colleagues I have brain science innovations Performance Institute, Young ran worked with at any level,” said to enhance how people a division of Applied Research Krawczyk, associate professor think, work and live. Associates Inc. and helped of cognitive neuroscience and When people treat their establish human vulnerability cognitive psychology in the School as a core business area for that of Behavioral and Brain Sciences brains the way they do company. With support from and Debbie and Jim Francis chair. their bodies, in terms of DARPA, she directed the first “She combines a unique set of exercise, training and clinical trials of blast-induced brain business skills with her insatiable a focus on prevention injuries, and, in partnership with curiosity about the brain. Most of and health, lives will the Office of Naval Research, she all, she has a tremendous passion led the development of a computer for people and helping make life be changed.” model for planning the medical better for those struggling with Leanne Young brings leadership, neuroscience and engineering experience to enhancing how response to a blast attack on a ship. disease or injury." people think, work and live. BRAIN PERFORMANCE INSTITUTE™ BUILDING UPDATE December 2016 – On the Center for BrainHealth® campus, Brain Performance Institute building walls and stairs are installed. Below is a view of the Center from the new building and a view from the first floor looking upward. From left: Dr. Kihwan Han, Erin Venza, Dr. Wing Ting To and David Martinez received Distinguished New Scientist Awards from the Friends of BrainHealth. FRIENDS OF BRAINHEALTH AWARD FUNDING TO NEW SCIENTISTS The Friends of BrainHealth, a circle of donors Scientist award for his proposal to investigate method for quantifying concussion-related supporting the Center for BrainHealth® at The a method for quantifying brain change after deficits to help survivors maximize recovery University of Texas at Dallas, awarded four cognitive training in individuals with traumatic with targeted cognitive training. $25,000 Distinguished New Scientist Awards brain injury. Erin Venza, a clinician in Dr. at the annual Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Chapman’s lab, was awarded the Linda and Joel Twelve graduate students, doctoral candidates Selection Luncheon on October 19 at the Robuck Distinguished New Scientist award to and postdoctoral fellows at the Center for Dallas Country Club. The four scientists will use continue to investigate longitudinal outcomes BrainHealth competed for the awards.