For Immediate Release:
December 15, 2000

CONTACT: Carole Gan,
UC Davis Health System
(916) 734-9040

UC DAVIS MIND INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES DIRECTOR

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute (M.I.N.D. stands for Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders) has selected Randi Hagerman -- an internationally recognized expert in fragile X syndrome -- as its first director.

Dr. Hagerman has more than 20 years of experience in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. The focus of her research is fragile X syndrome -- the most common inherited cause of mental retardation. Her research focuses on the correlation between an individual's molecular genotype, or genetic make-up, and their physical and behavioral characteristics. She also has a strong clinical and research interest in autism and has conducted research examining the association between autism and fragile X syndrome. She has presented her findings at national and international conferences and has authored dozens of journal articles. Her most recent book, Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment, was published by Oxford University Press in 1999.

"We are very fortunate to have Dr. Hagerman take the helm of the M.I.N.D. Institute," said Thomas Anders, executive associate dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine and interim director of the M.I.N.D. Institute. "Dr. Hagerman's scientific expertise and leadership abilities will be a major force guiding the Institute's growth over the next several years as it develops into a world-class clinical, research and teaching center for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders."

A native of California, Hagerman was born and raised in Berkeley and attended UC Davis as an undergraduate. After graduating as the valedictorian in the College of Letters and Science in 1971, she attended Stanford University School of Medicine where she completed her internship and residency in the pediatrics department. She also completed a fellowship at UC San Diego in ambulatory pediatrics and learning disabilities.

In 1980, Hagerman moved to Colorado with her family where she began work as associate director of the child development unit at The Children's Hospital in Denver. She currently holds the positions of professor of pediatrics and section head of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. At the children's hospital, she is a member of a multidisciplinary team that focuses on providing the best treatments possible for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Hagerman applied for her new position after visiting the M.I.N.D. Institute and realizing the tremendous potential of being part of a very unique and immensely talented group of parents, physicians, scientists and volunteers who are focused on tackling the mysteries of neurodevelopmental disorders.

"This institute is a wonderful opportunity to intensify research and clinical work in neurodevelopmental disorders,""Hagerman says. "My goal is to combine basic research and clinical studies to find better treatments and eventually a cure for these disorders. I also hope we can expand awareness of these problems in our society and in our schools so that new treatments can be widely disseminated."

Founded in 1998 as a unique interdisciplinary organization to study neurodevelopmental disorders, the M.I.N.D. Institute is a collaboration of parents, community leaders, researchers, clinicians and volunteers. In joining resources from UC Davis and the University of California system, the institute aims to unravel the problems of neurodevelopmental disorders such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, autism and Asperger's syndrome. By focusing on research, treatment and education simultaneously, the institute hopes to meet this challenge.

Hagerman will move to Davis in December and start work at the M.I.N.D. Institute at that time. She says she is very enthusiastic about the collaboration with parents and the rest of the community to build a world class institute that will not only treat, but also aims to cure neurodevelopmental disorders.

Copies of all news releases from UC Davis Health System are available on the web at http://news.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.