Susan Fitzpatrick

Susan Fitzpatrick is President of the James S. McDonnell Foundation, one of a limited number of international grant makers supporting university-based research in the biological and behavioural sciences through foundation-initiated programs via competitive, peer-review proposal processes. Susan received her PhD in Biochemistry and Neurology from Cornell University Medical College (1984). After five years pursuing in vivo NMR spectroscopic studies of brain metabolism in the Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics at Yale University, her career shifted to non-profit administration. Susan 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), she guided the Foundation through a re-organization to become a leader in advancing the acute care of patients with traumatic brain injury. Joining the James S. McDonnell Foundation in 1993 as the Foundation's first Program Officer, she was later promoted to Program Director in 1997 and to Vice President in 2000. Susan is an adjunct associate professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy and the School of Occupational Therapy at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis). In addition to her board service with OBI, Susan also serves on the governing boards of the Association for Women in Science and the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Susan 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.