Nov 3, 2024: [NEWS] Dr. Takao Hensch, IRCN Director, received The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon for foreign nationals

Nov 6, 2024

On November 3, 2024, Dr. Takao Hensch, IRCN Director (Professor at Harvard University’s Center for Brain Science and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, as well as at Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School), was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. This prestigious honor, part of Japan’s Autumn 2024 Decorations, was awarded for outstanding contributions to the promotion of scientific exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.

Dr. Hensch has pioneered research on ‘Critical Periods in Brain Development and their Clinical Applications,’ a field in which he has made significant contributions with broad implications beyond academia.

This award not only recognizes Dr. Hensch’s scientific achievements but also symbolizes his globalization of Japan’s research ecosystem, with promising advances in collaboration on the horizon.

[PROFILE]
After receiving his PhD from UCSF (1996), Hensch helped to launch the RIKEN BSI before returning to Harvard in 2006. Currently, he is Joint Professor of Neurology (HMS) and Molecular Cellular Biology (FAS), and has served as Director of IRCN, Director of the NIMH Silvio Conte Center for Mental Health Research, and Co-Director of the CIFAR Child Brain Development network. He has received several honors including the Young Investigator Award in both Japan (Tsukahara Prize, 2001) and the US (2005), the NIH Director's Pioneer Award (2007), and the Mortimer D. Sackler Prize (2016), and serves as Chief Editor of Frontiers in Neural Circuits.