Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences

Welcome to the Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences (GIBMS) at Medical College of National Taiwan University (NTU) in Taipei! The mission of the GIBMS is to foster multidisciplinary collaborations to meet the needs and challenges in brain and mind from basic neuroscience to neuropsychiatric disorders. Currently, there are 5 core faculty members in the GIBMS, and 45 cross-departmental adjuncts across medical and main campuses of NTU, investigating diverse neuroscientific questions in both humans and animals, including calorie restriction, aging, decision-making, neurodevelopment, neuroepigenetics, pain, and neural circuits. Methods in use include molecular genetics, electrophysiology, behavioral approaches, neuroimaging, and optogenetics. Our graduate program provides rigorous interdisciplinary training for students to develop research skills and pursue careers in academia or industry.

The GIBMS was established in August 2011 under the steering committee chaired by Professor Hai-Gwo Hwu, who then served as the first acting Director of this Institute. Since its establishment, several Professors have served as the acting Director, including Professors Fang-Jen Lee, Sung-Tsang Hsieh, and Lih-Chu Chiou. Professor Hwai-Jong Cheng (University of California at Davis, USA), who has made substantial contributions to the growth of this Institute by spending his sabbatical leave as a Visiting Professor in GIBMS from August 2012 to April 2014. In December 2014, Professor Lih-Chu Chiou was appointed as the first Director of GIBMS.

The GIBMS, the Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center at NTU main campus, and the Clinical Center for Neuroscience and Behavior at NTU Hospital collectively constitute the NTU Integrative Brain and Mind Program, which aims to promote interdepartmental cooperation in neuroscience and cognitive science research in NTU. Research in the GIBMS is mainly funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan, National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan, NTU, and NTU Hospital.