Koroshetz to present Fields Lecture Nov. 13
The Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston welcomes Walter Koroshetz, MD, senior advisor to the Dana Foundation and former director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to present the 2026 William S. Fields Lecture.
Koroshetz’s lecture, “Neuroscience and Neurology: Where Are We Going? How to Get There Faster,” begins at noon Friday, Nov. 13, in MSB 3.001. The event is accredited for continuing medical education (CME).
Koroshetz served as director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke from 2015 to 2026, overseeing the federal government’s largest neuroscience research portfolio. He joined the institute in 2007 as deputy director and played a leading role in several major national research initiatives aimed at advancing the understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.
During his tenure, Koroshetz co-led the National Institutes of Health’s Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, which seeks to accelerate the development and application of technologies to better understand brain function. He also helped lead research programs focused on traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chronic pain, and addiction.
In March 2026, Koroshetz joined the Dana Foundation as a senior advisor, supporting collaborations in neuroscience research funding and programs for early-career scientists. His work emphasizes translating scientific discoveries into meaningful improvements in human health while addressing the ethical and societal implications of emerging neurotechnologies.
Before joining the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Koroshetz served as vice chair of neurology and director of stroke and neurointensive care services at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was also a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, where he led neurology residency training from 1990 to 2007. His early clinical and laboratory research focused on Huntington’s disease, including pioneering work in presymptomatic genetic testing.
In recognition of his contributions to neuroscience and neuroethics, Koroshetz received the International Neuroethics Society’s Steven E. Hyman Award for Distinguished Service in 2020.
The annual William S. Fields Lecture Series honors the founder of the Department of Neurology, William S. Fields, MD, who established the department in 1972 with just six faculty members. The department has since grown into a comprehensive center for neurological research, education, and patient care.
For more information about the lecture, contact Lucila Garza at [email protected].