DAVID FITZPATRICK
CEO & SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR, MAX PLANCK FLORIDA INSTITUTE FOR NEUROSCIENCE, JUPITER
Max Planck, one of the world’s pre-eminent research institutions, operates its Florida branch with about 150 employees, more than 80 of whom are scientists at various career levels. Researchers at the institute work to understand how neurons in the brain are connected and how the connections work together to create memory, make decisions and interact with the world. A particular strength is the microscopy department, where “we are able to capture the activity of single neurons and individual synapses — the connections between neurons — and we are able to do this while the brain is functioning,” says Fitzpatrick, who became CEO in 2011.
| EDUCATION | Pennsylvania State University (BS), Duke University (Ph.D.) |
| CIVIC EFFORT | One of our major initiatives at MPFI is creating as many opportunities for young people to learn about careers in science as possible. In addition to our post-baccalaureate, undergrad and Ph.D. programs, we are also partnering with FAU to offer our training to a new-STEM focused high school on our shared campus. |
| SOMETHING SURPRISING | One of my favorite hobbies is nature photography, and I can imagine another life where I still studied how the world works, but through the lens of a camera, rather than that of a microscope. |