Dr. Mark Millan is a distinguished neuroscientist whose pioneering work has significantly advanced our understanding of brain function and psychiatric disorders. Currently serving as a Visiting Professor in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow, he maintains an active research profile while also holding an Honorary Research Fellow position in the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health. Born in Edinburgh, he completed his foundational education at Cambridge University, earning B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in Natural Sciences from Gonville and Caius College before retraining in neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry. His distinguished career spans several decades, beginning with fundamental research on pain and stress mechanisms at the Max Planck Institute from 1978 to 1987, followed by leadership roles at the Institut de Recherche de Servier in Paris where he served as Director of the Psychopharmacology Division from 1993.
Dr. Millan's groundbreaking research has fundamentally shaped modern approaches to treating psychiatric and neurological conditions, particularly through his work on depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. His early investigations into pain mechanisms and endogenous opioids at the Max Planck Institute earned him the prestigious international Serturner Prize for Pain Research, establishing his reputation as an innovative thinker in neuroscience. At Servier, he directed transformative drug discovery programs that bridged basic neuroscience with clinical applications, leading to novel therapeutic approaches for central nervous system disorders. His recent work includes significant contributions to understanding anxiety disorders, particularly through his research on agomelatine's distinctive mechanism of action for treating generalized anxiety disorder, demonstrating his continued influence in psychopharmacology.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Dr. Millan has cultivated a unique interdisciplinary perspective that connects neuroscience with ecological systems, developing innovative network-driven concepts that link brain organization to complex natural systems like coral reefs. His holistic approach to neuroscience extends to examining convergent cognitive mechanisms across species, including human, avian, and cetacean cognition, which has enriched our understanding of social behavior and language evolution. Driven by his passion for biodiversity conservation, he has documented local ecosystems outside Paris, using these observations to advocate for environmental protection through public talks and exhibitions. As he continues his academic work at the University of Glasgow, Dr. Millan remains committed to advancing integrative approaches that connect neuroscience with broader ecological and evolutionary contexts, inspiring a new generation of researchers to adopt more holistic perspectives on brain health and function.
