Lieber Institute for Brain Development

Lieber Institute for Brain Development Translating genetic insights into next generation treatments. LIBD partners with academic, pharmaceutical, foundation, and government agencies world-wide.

The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) was established in 2010 through the historic gift of Constance & Stephen Lieber and Milton & Tamar Maltz as an independent, not-for-profit medical research institute with end-to-end capabilities under one roof. LIBD translates genetic insights into breakthrough treatments utilizing unparalleled resources in human brain tissue and human cell lines to understand the developmental origins of schizophrenia and related brain disorders. Affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, LIBD is led by Dr. Daniel Weinberger, formerly the head of the Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program at the National Institute of Mental Health, and includes a world-class team of scientists with over 200 years’ cumulative experience and 2,500 published scientific papers. The Institute is committed to a collaborative approach and invests in building research networks and partnerships to accelerate scientific discovery.

The future of science is here!On October 24th, five of our incredible Lieber Institute graduate students—Beau Oster, Suh...
11/17/2025

The future of science is here!

On October 24th, five of our incredible Lieber Institute graduate students—Beau Oster, Suhaas Adiraju, Megan Masi, Julia Johnston, and Zehra Husaini—were honored at the 12th Annual Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Graduate Coating Ceremony.

This moment marks more than a milestone; it’s a powerful step forward. Receiving their white lab coats means these students have advanced to candidacy and are officially pledging themselves to a career of rigor, integrity, and discovery.

From brain research to real-world breakthroughs, these future scientists are leading the way. And we couldn’t be prouder to have them as part of the Lieber team.

Here’s to the next generation of researchers who are ready to make a difference.

11/17/2025

Dr. Alison Pritchard wants treatments that work, and so do we. She chose to donate her husband's brain to our research and joined the thousands of other families that have made our repository so successful. Her contribution fuels the work we do and allows us an unprecedented look at what is physically happening to a brain suffering from mental disorders.

What about your support? How does it support the Lieber Institute? As a non-profit, we rely heavily on consistent support to ensure that our labs have the highest standard of technology. Our researchers deserve ample access to supplies and resources needed for their work. And without support, we risk having to limit our search for more answers and better treatments. The same treatments that Dr. Pritchard believes we are capable of finding.

You can find Alison's full story on our page, and you can learn more about how you can also support our Institute by going to our website or using the link in our comments. Thank you for believing in us.L

11/13/2025

Curious about some of the work that goes on in the lab? Ever wondered how we can get so much information from such a tiny sample? Dr. Anandita Rajpurohit takes us through one of the processes!

You can watch the full video on our YouTube page, along with other videos highlighting our scientists and our donor families. You can find the link in our comments!

In one of the largest studies of its kind, Lieber scientists studied brain tissue from individuals diagnosed with PTSD, ...
11/11/2025

In one of the largest studies of its kind, Lieber scientists studied brain tissue from individuals diagnosed with PTSD, many of whom were veterans. What they found helps explain why PTSD can feel so hard to escape.

The research showed that PTSD may involve problems with immune system signaling in the brain and changes in GABAergic neurons, the brain cells that help calm down fear and regulate emotions. These findings bring us one step closer to targeted treatments, not just for PTSD, but for related conditions like depression and anxiety that often occur alongside it.

🧠 At Lieber, we’re working every day to better understand brain disorders and to support the people who live with them. Science is the way we are able to serve.

**If you are a Veteran requiring crisis support, please call 988 and then press "1" to speak with a responder qualified to support Veterans.**

We are so proud to celebrate Dr. Roberta Passiatore, who served as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Giulio Pergola’s lab...
11/10/2025

We are so proud to celebrate Dr. Roberta Passiatore, who served as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Giulio Pergola’s lab before beginning a new chapter as a Researcher at the University of California, Irvine this fall! 🌟

During her time at Lieber, Roberta dedicated her work to understanding how genetics and environment interact to shape the human brain, and how those interactions influence risk for psychiatric disorders. Her research helped us better understand gene expression and brain function, using advanced MRI techniques to explore how our biology and experiences make each of us unique.

With expertise spanning psychology, neuroscience, and bioinformatics, Roberta’s curiosity and commitment to discovery made a lasting impression on our entire team. Her passion for uncovering new treatment opportunities that can improve lives embodies the spirit of Lieber’s mission. Though we miss her presence at the Institute, we’re incredibly proud to see her continuing to advance neuroscience at UC Irvine. The future of brain research is brighter because of scientists like her. ❤️

Congratulations, Dr. Passiatore! You’ll always be part of the Lieber family!

Check out the link in our comments to learn more about the Noel Drury, M.D. Institute for Translational Depression Discoveries where Dr. Passiatore is now dedicating her expertise!

11/10/2025

"So, I do talk to Matt sometimes in my head. Mainly about our daughter."

Dr. Alison Prichard made a decision rooted in love. After the loss of her husband, she chose to support the Lieber Institute, not just as a tribute to his life, but as a way for his presence to continue in the lives of others. Through her gift, he lives on in the pursuit of answers, healing, and hope.

She’s not alone. Thousands of families have given in moments of deep grief with a deeper belief in a future where mental illness is better understood, and lives are changed.

And when YOU support Lieber, you become part of that story. You help ensure our scientists and labs have the resources to keep moving forward.

🧠 Learn more about the work we’re doing—and the people who make it possible—at www.libd.org or right here on our page.

11/05/2025

🧠 Big discoveries can come from the smallest places. 🧠

In a recent study led by the team at Lieber - including Dr. Kristen Maynard - researchers uncovered a surprising clue in the search to better understand schizophrenia inside one of the brain’s tiniest regions, the habenula.

About the size of a grain of rice, the habenula plays a huge role in how we process mood, motivation, and reward, functions that often go off track in serious mental illness. Lieber scientists created the first-ever detailed cell map of this miniature brain region and discovered more than 170 genes behaving differently in people with schizophrenia.

This isn’t just a scientific milestone. It’s a step toward better treatments, ones that go beyond traditional approaches and offer new hope to millions of people affected by psychiatric disorders.

As Dr. Maynard shares in this clip, this work isn’t just about understanding the brain; it’s about changing lives.
And it’s made possible thanks to the supporters who believe in a future where science serves everyone.

Heena Divecha, a student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, recently passed her doctoral board exam for...
11/03/2025

Heena Divecha, a student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, recently passed her doctoral board exam for the Neuroscience Training Program and successfully advanced to PhD candidacy! This is an incredible accomplishment, although we can't say we are too surprised. Heena has already shown an incredible aptitude for this area of science!

Below is a picture of Heena alongside Dr. Kristen Maynard after she presented her poster at the Gordon Research Conferences - GRC this summer.

10/27/2025

We are not just studying the brain; we are actively building pathways to better treatments, potential cures, and even prevention. While the past fifteen years have been full of trailblazing energy, we are only getting started.

Go to our page to see more of our work in action!

💡 What if one discovery could help many?At Lieber, we’re not chasing quick fixes; we’re building smarter ones. Instead o...
10/22/2025

💡 What if one discovery could help many?

At Lieber, we’re not chasing quick fixes; we’re building smarter ones. Instead of targeting just one disease, our scientists are developing treatments that can improve brain function across multiple conditions, helping people think more clearly, stay focused, and better manage impulsivity.

This approach has the power to impact millions living with mental health and neurological challenges. When we focus on how the brain truly works, we unlock solutions that go further, reach more people, and offer real hope.

🧠 Breakthroughs start here.

10/20/2025

Got a kid who’s obsessed with animal documentaries? Don’t be surprised if that curiosity turns into a career in neuroscience someday. Just ask Dr. Giulio Pergola, who grew up glued to nature shows and is now an internationally respected neuroscientist!

What started as a love for animal behavior grew into a passion for tackling the ultimate challenge: understanding human behavior and improving lives with that knowledge.

At Lieber, our scientists come from all kinds of backgrounds and interests, but they’re united by one mission: to better understand the brain so we can improve the human experience.

Sometimes, a childhood curiosity isn’t just a phase; it’s the first step toward changing the world.

10/17/2025

At Lieber, we believe science should be shared, not siloed.

In a field where many institutions hold tight to their findings, Dr. Leonardo Collado-Torres reminds us why we choose to do things differently. Our data doesn’t sit on a shelf. It’s made available to researchers around the world, fueling discoveries far beyond our walls.

When you support Lieber, you’re not just backing one research team; you’re helping countless scientists and innovators access the tools they need to understand the brain and improve mental health care for everyone.

🌍 Your support becomes a ripple effect.
🧠 Your generosity becomes shared discovery.

Learn more about how your gift reaches further than you think by going to our webpage!

Address

855 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 300
Baltimore, MD
21205

Telephone

+14109551000

Website

https://lieberbraintrust.donorsupport.co/page/braintrust

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The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) was established in 2010 through the historic gift of Constance & Stephen Lieber and Milton & Tamar Maltz as an independent, not-for-profit medical research institute with end-to-end capabilities under one roof. LIBD translates genetic insights into breakthrough treatments utilizing unparalleled resources in human brain tissue and human cell lines to understand the developmental origins of schizophrenia and related brain disorders. Affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, LIBD is led by Dr. Daniel Weinberger, formerly the head of the Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program at the National Institute of Mental Health, and includes a world-class team of scientists with over 200 years’ cumulative experience and 2,500 published scientific papers. LIBD partners with academic, pharmaceutical, foundation, and government agencies world-wide. The Institute is committed to a collaborative approach and invests in building research networks and partnerships to accelerate scientific discovery.