Susan M. Fitzpatrick, Vice President
Susan Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. is Vice President of the James S. McDonnell Foundation. The McDonnell Foundation is one of a limited number of international grantmakers supporting university-based research in the biological and behavioral sciences through foundation-initiated programs via competitive, peer-review proposal processes.
Initiated in 2000, the Foundation’s ongoing grantmaking is accomplished via the 21st Century Science Initiative. This flexibly structured initiative supports research and collaborative activities in three program areas: Understanding Human Cognition, Studying Complex Systems, and Brain Cancer Research. The new initiative builds on prior Foundation programs in Cognitive Studies for Educational Practice, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research, the Eastern European Science Initiative, the McDonnell-Pew Program in Cognitive Neuroscience (a collaborative project with The Pew Charitable Trusts) and the JSMF special initiative awarding the $1 Million James S. McDonnell Centennial Fellowships. Fitzpatrick received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Neurology from Cornell University Medical College (1984). After 5 years pursuing in vivo NMR spectroscopic studies of brain metabolism in the Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics at Yale University, Fitzpatrick shifted her career to non-profit administration.
Fitzpatrick was the Associate Executive Director of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (1989-1992), a comprehensive basic science and applied science research center focused on restoring neurological function to persons with spinal cord injury. Her responsibilities included all public outreach and educational efforts and she served as the scientific liaison to the development, fundraising, and public relations staff. As Executive Director of the Brain Trauma Foundation (1992-1993), Fitzpatrick guided the Foundation through a re-organization. BTF is now a leader in advancing the acute care of patients with traumatic brain injury. Fitzpatrick joined the James S. McDonnell Foundation in 1993 as the Foundation’s first Program Officer. She was promoted to Program Director in 1997 and to Vice President in 2000. Fitzpatrick is an adjunct associate professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis), teaching neuroscience. Fitzpatrick lectures and writes on issues concerning the role of private philanthropy in the support of scientific research and on issues related to the public understanding of science.
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