JSMF - Susan M. Fitzpatrick, Biography

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Susan M. Fitzpatrick, Vice President

Susan Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. is Vice President with the James S. McDonnell Foundation - one of a limited number of international grantmakers supporting university-based research in the biological and behavioral sciences. The Vice President oversees all Foundation grantmaking ($17.8 Million in 2006) in the 21st Century Science Initiative. Fitzpatrick directed the James S. McDonnell Foundation Centennial Fellowship Program, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founder’s birth. Ten $1,000,000 research grants were awarded to early career scientists and scholars working in human genetics, human cognition, astrophysics and cosmology, global and complex systems, and the history and philosophy of science. 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.

Fitzpatrick received her B.S. summa cum laude from St. John’s University (1978) and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Neurology from Cornell University Medical College (1984). She was awarded the Julian Rachele Award for her thesis research. 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 reorganization. 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 Vice President in 2001. Fitzpatrick is an adjunct associate professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis), teaching neuroscience.

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	Home > About us > Who We Are > Susan M. Fitzpatrick, Vice President

	Susan M. Fitzpatrick, Vice President Susan Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. is Vice President with the James S. McDonnell Foundation - one of a limited number of international grantmakers supporting university-based research in the biological and behavioral sciences. The Vice President oversees all Foundation grantmaking ($17.8 Million in 2006) in the 21st Century Science Initiative. Fitzpatrick directed the James S. McDonnell Foundation Centennial Fellowship Program, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founder’s birth. Ten $1,000,000 research grants were awarded to early career scientists and scholars working in human genetics, human cognition, astrophysics and cosmology, global and complex systems, and the history and philosophy of science. 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. Fitzpatrick received her B.S. summa cum laude from St. John’s University (1978) and her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Neurology from Cornell University Medical College (1984). She was awarded the Julian Rachele Award for her thesis research. 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 reorganization. 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 Vice President in 2001. Fitzpatrick is an adjunct associate professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis), teaching neuroscience. Publications