This year, MnDRIVE Brain Conditions proudly celebrates a milestone that is both meaningful and symbolic—our 13th birthday, our golden birthday!
For thirteen years, MnDRIVE Brain Conditions has united researchers, clinicians, engineers, industry partners, students, staff, and community members around one shared vision: transforming the future of brain health through innovation, collaboration, and discovery.
What began as an ambitious investment by the State of Minnesota has grown into one of the nation's leading interdisciplinary brain research initiatives. Today, our community continues to push the boundaries of neuroscience, advancing discoveries that improve lives for people living with epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, depression, OCD, tics and tourettes, stroke, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, addiction, and countless other neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Thirteen Years of Impact
Every breakthrough begins with curiosity.
Every innovation begins with collaboration.
Every life changed begins with someone who dared to ask, "What if we could do better?"
For the past thirteen years, MnDRIVE Brain Conditions has empowered scientists to pursue bold ideas, supported the next generation of neuroscience leaders through fellowship programs, invested in cutting-edge research infrastructure, and accelerated discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic.
Together, we have:
- Supported groundbreaking neuromodulation research.
- Invested in world-class research facilities and shared research core resources.
- Trained future leaders in neuroscience through graduate, postdoctoral, faculty, and clinical fellowships.
- Fostered collaborations across disciplines and institutions.
- Strengthened partnerships with patients, families, advocacy organizations, industry, and communities throughout Minnesota.
- Advanced technologies that are changing how we understand, diagnose, and treat disorders of the brain.
Behind every publication, every grant, every new technology, and every scientific milestone are passionate people dedicated to making tomorrow better than today.
Our Greatest Achievement Is Our People
The true strength of MnDRIVE Brain Conditions has never been found solely in laboratories or technology.
It is found in the people.
The visionary faculty who challenge conventional thinking.
The students who bring fresh ideas and boundless curiosity.
The fellows whose careers are just beginning.
The clinicians who translate discoveries into better patient care.
The staff who keep every program initative moving forward.
The community partners and advocates who remind us why this work matters.
Together, this extraordinary network has created something far greater than any single project. It has built a collaborative ecosystem where innovation thrives.
Looking Toward the Next Thirteen Years
A golden birthday is more than a celebration of the past. It is an opportunity to imagine the future. The challenges facing brain health remain among the most complex in medicine and science. Yet the pace of discovery has never been greater.
Emerging technologies in artificial intelligence, precision medicine, neuroengineering, brain stimulation, advanced imaging, and computational neuroscience are opening doors that once seemed impossible. MnDRIVE Brain Conditions is committed to remaining at the forefront of these advances by bringing together diverse expertise, supporting bold ideas, and creating opportunities for discoveries that improve lives across Minnesota and around the world.
The next chapter promises to be even more transformative.
Thank You
As we celebrate our golden birthday, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped shape this remarkable journey.
Thank you to our MnDRIVE Brain Conditions Chair, Dr. Jerrold Vitek as well as a HUGE thank you goes out to Dr. Timothy Ebner (our 1st MnDRIVE Chair).
Thank you to our MnDRIVE Brain Conditions Steering Committee.
Thank you to Karrie Molitor our program manager.
Thank you to our neuromodulation researchers.
Thank you to our neuromodulation scholars and fellows.
Thank you to our amazing program staff.
Thank you to our three research cores.
Thank you to Dr. Dori Henderson (early years program manager) who helped launch the program and all the hard administrative work involved.
Thank you to our collaborators.
Thank you to our clinical partners.
Thank you to our industry supporters.
Thank you to our community organizations and advocacy partners.
And most importantly, thank you to the patients and families who inspire us every day to continue pursuing better treatments, new technologies, and hope for the future. Because of you, thirteen years have become a legacy of discovery.
We continue to build together, the best is still ahead. Here's to thirteen years of innovation! Here's to our golden birthday! Here's to the discoveries yet to come!
