Dr. Christof Koch

Paul Allen’s Institute for Brain Science has named Dr. Christof Koch — a 25-year veteran of the California Institute of Technology — to the post of chief scientific officer. Koch is a recognized expert in the fields of biophysics, neural computation and neural systems. In his new role at the Seattle non-profit, Koch will oversee the Allen Institute’s research departments and help shape new initiatives.

“The Allen Institute has had a truly transformational impact on neuroscience research,” said Dr. Koch in a statement. “From my years as a scientific advisor to the Institute, I know what goes into delivering on its big science programs. I am honored and excited to join the team and help move these remarkable efforts toward systems-level neuroscience.”

Koch plans to move to Seattle for the new job, but he will maintain an office and lab at CalTech where he will work part time.

Koch most recently served as the Lois and Victor Troendle Professor of Cognitive & Behavioral Biology at CalTech, and among his interests is the study of systems biology.

That also happens to be a key interest of another CalTech vet who has settled in Seattle, Dr. Leroy Hood, founder of the Institute of Systems Biology. (I’d presume by this time CalTech is getting tired of Seattle stealing some of the university’s brightest minds).

Founded in 2004 with a $100 million gift from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the Allen Institute is developing online public gene maps of the brain which are used in academic research.

John Cook is co-founder of GeekWire. Follow on Twitter: @geekwirenews.

 

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