Norcliffe Foundation Center for Integrative Brain Research
A Better Understanding of Neuronal Functions to Treat Brain-Related Diseases
At the Norcliffe Foundation Center for Integrative Brain Research, our team of scientists engages in multidisciplinary research to set the stage for innovative, comprehensive approaches aimed at curing, managing and preventing pediatric neurological disorders. We integrate knowledge from the genetic, molecular, cellular, network and behavioral levels into the clinic. This insight allows our researchers to gain a deep mechanistic understanding of a wide spectrum of brain-related diseases, including autism, brain tumors, mitochondrial diseases and epilepsy. Multilevel integration forms the basis for precision medicine that targets the various causes of a neurological disease in a personalized manner.
Collaborating to Cure Neurological Disorders
Solving neurological problems requires the cross-disciplinary expertise of basic scientists and clinicians. The overarching goal of our center is to bring together geneticists, molecular biologists, engineers, neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists and other specialists to develop innovative and personalized solutions to pediatric neurological disorders. Together, we develop cutting-edge technologies to prevent, treat and potentially cure pediatric neurological and associated disorders.
Our clinical faculty are renowned experts in their fields who lead or participate in clinical trials for neurologic disorder treatment. Our neuroscience leaders head up numerous national clinical research networks and pediatric neurological steering committees, helping develop guidelines for neurosurgical or neurologic disorder treatment.
Faculty members who have been recognized by national organizations for their work and dedication include:
- Edward Novotny, MD: Awarded the Epilepsy Foundation Washington Arthur A. Ward Jr. Achievement in Epilepsy Award in 2025
- Franck Kalume, PhD: Presented with an award by parents of children with Dravet Syndrome at the Dravet Foundation Europe Conference and the Annual Patient and Family Reunion in 2024
- Philip G. Morgan, MD, and Margaret M. Sedensky, MD: Awarded the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Excellence in Research Award in 2023
- Kathleen Millen, PhD: Earned the Javits Neuroscience Award in 2021
Neuroscience That Discovers and Treats the Cause
Our researchers unravel the mechanisms of neurological, developmental, psychiatric, autonomic and metabolic disorders through state-of-the-art technology. For instance, in partnership with the University of Washington, we identify the causes of brain injury using customized, next-generation gene sequencing. And with quantitative multiplex immunoprecipitation, Stephen Smith, PhD, is mapping how proteins interact with each other to understand which mutations cause malfunction.
Knowledge gleaned through our research enables us to develop effective prevention methods as well as personalized treatments and cures for pediatric neurological and associated disorders.
One billion people in the world are suffering from neurological disorders. I’ve seen firsthand how devastating these disorders can be. These families need cures, and I know we can find them. But the brain is exceedingly complex, and one person or one approach cannot solve these problems. The vision of this research center is to bring together different people with wide-ranging expertise to offer a personalized approach to treat neurological disorders based on the principle of precision medicine.
— Nino Ramirez, PhD, director of the Norcliffe Foundation Center for Integrative Brain Research
Featured Research
Our diverse neuroscience researchers play a pivotal role in the rapid evolution of neuroscience research. We lead genetic and molecular discoveries in a number of pediatric diseases and conditions — including neurological, developmental, psychiatric, autonomic and metabolic disorders. We then translate this research to clinical care.