Our Mission…

…To solve the mystery of such brain disorders as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, autism, addiction, and Alzheimer’s through scientific research on genetic and environmental causes

About Gray Matters at Columbia

Gray Matters at Columbia is a research fellowship fund within Columbia University Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry under the leadership of Chairman Jeffrey A. Lieberman, MD.  Each spring the Gray Matters at Columbia Fellowship is awarded to a young scientist exhibiting outstanding performance in the genetics of brain disorders.  The chosen fellow benefits from the multidisciplinary expertise of a peerless team of clinicians and scientists that includes two Nobel laureates. Gray Matters at Columbia was inspired by a mother who lost her son to suicide after a long and difficult struggle with schizophrenia, and is a memorial to those who have been lost and a sign of hope to all who struggle with brain disorders.

Spring Benefit Luncheon

On Tuesday, May 11, journalist Paula Zahn joined Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D. and returning Mistress of Ceremonies Donna Hanover at the Gray Matters at Columbia Spring Benefit Luncheon at The Plaza Hotel. Underwriters for the event were Charlotte Ford, Patricia Rosenwald and Patricia Cayne, with corporate support provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. In her remarks, special guest speaker Ms. Zahn highlighted the needless stigma that still challenges individuals and families that live with mental illness, noting that education is the most important tool in changing public perception. Ms. Zahn spoke about the critical work being done at Columbia Psychiatry by its large and impressive team of physicians, scientists and researchers, and the hope it gives her for the future of mental health care. Keynote speaker Jeffrey Lieberman,MD,Chairman of Psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, said“the Gray Matters at Columbia fellows represent our hopes for the future of psychiatric medicine. We are fortunate and proud to have them on our team."

Get Involved

Gray Matters at Columbia exists as a result of the kindness, compassion, and generosity of its donors.

We encourage donors to get involved and see the impact of their contributions.   We invite you to visit and meet the scientists in person and hear directly from them about the current research projects and progress being made in treating brain disorders. 

Learn about the process of scientific discovery.  See PET, MRI, and CAT scans.  Find out how and why brain imaging often gives scientists the answers they seek and what role DNA samples play.  Discover how these leading edge scientists summarize the findings that lead to a better understanding of illness, treatment, and cures.

Find out how this research brings hope, eases the day-to-day coping ability of those who struggle with brain disorders, and gives freedom to some who might otherwise be a prisoner to their illness.

Memorialize a special someone lost to mental illness.  A donation made in a loved one’s name often helps families transcend their loss through the knowledge that they are helping someone else.

Giving Is Easy

To make a contribution, please click on the link above or contact Emily Carey: eac2149@columbia.edu, 212-543-5942.

Content compiled by Annette Swanstrom.