About The Fisher Center Foundation

In 1995, philanthropists Zachary Fisher and David Rockefeller joined forces to build the Fisher Center laboratory at The Rockefeller University. The two men raised $5 million to begin construction on what would become one of the largest and best-equipped scientific facilities for Alzheimer's research in the country.

Nobel Laureate Directs Research
A blue-ribbon search committee unanimously recommended world-renowned neuroscientist Paul Greengard, Ph.D. to be founding director of the Fisher Center. Dr. Greengard revolutionized our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis by which nerve cells communicate with one another, discoveries that earned him the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He and his research group at The Rockefeller University have also made fundamental contributions to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease, as well as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, drug abuse and other brain disorders.

Dr. Greengard has assembled a team of 60 scientists a dozen countries to help us understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease and develop novel approaches to its prevention, early detection and treatment. A scientific advisory board comprised of several of the world's foremost Alzheimer's disease researchers and chaired by internationally recognized neurologist and cell biologist Samuel E. Gandy, M.D., Ph.D., interacts regularly with Center scientists to facilitate the exchange of scientific information and theory.

To learn more about the pioneering work and scientific achievements of the Fisher Center, click here.

A Model for Public-Private Collaboration
Former First Lady and current U.S. Senator from New York Hillary Rodham Clinton, a supporter of the Foundation from its inception, attended the opening ceremonies. "What we have with this extraordinary collaboration is an example of what we need throughout our society -- the ability of the government and the private citizens to work together to bring to the table the best scientific minds in our country to attack the most troubling disease that afflicts us," Senator Clinton said.

The Fisher Center Foundation was established for purposes that are exclusively charitable, scientific and educational. Among these are generating support from the public for its charitable programs and activities. Supporters include individuals, corporations, foundations, charitable organizations, and governmental and quasi-governmental organizations. This support is primarily directed toward research to be conducted at The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research at The Rockefeller University in New York City, as well as related research facilities throughout the U.S. and abroad.

For example, the Fisher Alzheimer's Disease Education and Resources Program at the New York University School of Medicine focuses on the care of people suffering from Alzheimer's. Led by nationally recognized Alzheimer's care expert Barry Reisberg, M.D., investigators have developed a new approach to Alzheimer's care that addresses the basic mechanisms of the disease, resulting in new techniques for managing the disease. At The University of Genoa, Italy, researchers under the direction of neuroscientist Fabio Benfenati, Ph.D., are investigating the mechanisms by which nerve cells in the brain communicate, with the goal of enabling healthy cells to compensate for cells that have died in Alzheimer's and related diseases.

The Board of Trustees of the Fisher Center Foundation is comprised of well-known and highly respected community and business leaders, as well as world-renowned scientists dedicated to the cause of combating Alzheimer's disease. A scientific advisory board made up of eight scientists distinguished in the field of Alzheimer's disease counsels the Foundation's Board regarding research projects and expenditures.

The Foundation, which is housed on the world-famous Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, hosts numerous events throughout the year, including forums for exchange of scientific information about Alzheimer's disease, educational conferences and fund-raising events. The Foundation has underwritten the production of an important new documentary entitled "Alzheimer's: Is There Hope?", which has been airing on public television stations since November 2002.

A singular genuine belief drives the mission and activities of the Fisher Center Foundation: that the scourge of Alzheimer's disease can and will be eliminated with the cooperation of the world's scientific community and the dedication of the pioneering scientists at the Fisher Center.