Mind First Foundation

The Mind First Foundation was founded by Harvard Medical School-affiliated scientists, innovators and leaders in genetics, personal genomics, and mental health epidemiology. Mind First works closely with the Personal Genome Project at HMS, focusing on mental health in the PGP. The Mind First founders group includes HMS Professor of Genetics and founder of the Personal Genome Project Dr. George Church, Personal Genome Project director Dr. Preston Estep, project coordinator Alex Hoekstra and HMS Professor and World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Co-Director Dr. Ron Kessler. The founders of the Mind First Foundation believe that mental traits are highly complex and depend on both biology and environment. They have pioneered a revolutionary research model with greater promise to discover the underlying causes of mental illnesses and serious dysfunction, and ultimately to develop more successful treatments.

March 2013