Advancing autism research at U.Va.'s Brain Institute

Last semester the Foundation announced, after an extensive national search, that the holder of the Harrison-Wood Jefferson Scholars Foundation Professorship would be held by internationally renowned neuroscientist Kevin Pelphrey. Professor Pelphrey began work at the University this fall and was recently featured in UVA Today for the work he is doing to advance autism research.

Pelphrey is the second faculty member to be recruited through the Foundation’s Chaired Professorship Program, which was launched in 2012. Through the program, the Foundation has established a series of $5 million professorships designed to help attract to U.Va. some of the world’s most outstanding teachers and researchers. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $50 million for this effort and has established partnerships with the College of Arts & Sciences, the Darden School of Business, the Law School, and the School of Medicine.