Michael and Vikki Price’s generous $25 million gift to Rockefeller University launched the Price Family Center for the Social Brain, a pioneering hub devoted to understanding how and why we connect.
Led by neuroscientist Vanessa Ruta, the center explores the neuronal, cellular, and molecular circuits that drive social behavior—and how this knowledge can be transformed into diagnostics and treatments for disorders such as autism, depression, and schizophrenia.
From its earliest days, the center has embraced bold, interdisciplinary science. Collaborations span species and methods, from mapping the brain wiring of ants to decoding primate social memory.
A recent joint symposium with Columbia University’s Zuckerman Institute brought researchers together to share breakthroughs in vocal learning, mate choice, and the genetic and hormonal forces that shape our interactions.
At the heart of this mission is the Price Fellows Program, nurturing a new generation of scientists and seeding high-risk, high-reward projects across Rockefeller’s labs.
The center is also developing cutting-edge tools to precisely track and analyze social behaviors—data that could one day help unlock therapies for some of the most challenging brain disorders.
The Price’s vision is clear: by illuminating the social brain, we can better understand the human brain itself—and, ultimately, improve lives.