Dr. Thomas Insel is a distinguished neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and national leader in mental health research and policy. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, a position he has held since 2017. Prior to his academic appointment at Stanford, Dr. Insel served as Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 2002 to 2015, where he significantly shaped the national research agenda for mental health. He subsequently led the Mental Health Team at Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) from 2015 to 2017, bridging technology and healthcare before embarking on entrepreneurial ventures in mental health.
Dr. Insel is internationally recognized for his pioneering research on oxytocin and vasopressin, two peptide hormones implicated in complex social behaviors such as parental care and attachment. His work has profoundly influenced the understanding of the neurobiological basis of mental disorders and has catalyzed new approaches to diagnosis and treatment. As NIMH Director, he championed the Research Domain Criteria framework, which reimagined mental disorders through biological dimensions rather than traditional diagnostic categories. His recent work focuses on translating neuroscience discoveries into practical applications, co-founding innovative mental health organizations including Mindstrong Health, Humanest Care, and Vanna Health to address the critical gap in mental healthcare delivery.
A member of the National Academy of Medicine since 2003, Dr. Insel has received numerous prestigious awards including the Joan and Stanford Alexander Award in Psychiatry for his significant contributions to research, education, and clinical service. He serves on multiple influential boards including the Steinberg Institute and Fountain House, and advises various mental health startups while continuing to shape mental health policy as a special advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom. Dr. Insel authored the influential book Healing Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health in 2022 and co-founded MindSite News, a non-profit digital publication focused on mental health issues. His ongoing work continues to transform the mental healthcare landscape through innovative integration of technology, clinical practice, and policy reform.
