‘News’
Colleen Niswender awarded 2025–26 Nicholas Hobbs Discovery Award
Dec. 4, 2025—The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center has awarded Colleen Niswender (Pharmacology, Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery) a 2025–26 Nicholas Hobbs Discovery Award for her Rett Syndrome research and advocacy.
Staff Spotlight: Louise Dow
Dec. 1, 2025—The Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University consists of a remarkable community dedicated to advancing the translation of basic science to novel therapeutics to treat serious brain disorders. In addition to our outstanding faculty, postdocs, and trainees who are at the forefront of our cutting-edge research, a large part of our center’s...
Vanderbilt honors 2025 Master Innovators who drive breakthrough research and commercial impact
Nov. 12, 2025—We are thrilled to congratulate our colleagues at WCNDD, Dr. Kayla Temple and Dr. Darren Engers, on being named 2025 Master Innovators by Vanderbilt University! Kayla, as Senior Drug Discovery Scientist and Assistant Director of Medicinal Chemistry, has built an impressive portfolio with 35 invention disclosures, 11 issued patents, and 11 licensing transactions generating over...
Second schizophrenia treatment discovered at Vanderbilt’s Warren Center enters Phase I clinical trial
Nov. 12, 2025—A new potential treatment for schizophrenia discovered through the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery has entered Phase 1 clinical trials, marking the fifth WCNDD therapeutic to advance into human testing. Read more here.
Staff Spotlight – John Terrell, Ph.D.
Oct. 8, 2025—The Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University consists of a remarkable community dedicated to advancing the translation of basic science to novel therapeutics to treat serious brain disorders. In addition to our outstanding faculty, postdocs, and trainees who are at the forefront of our cutting-edge research, a large part of our center’s...
Staff Spotlight – Jacob Bouchard, Ph.D., Drug Discovery Scientist
Aug. 22, 2025—The Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University consists of a remarkable community dedicated to advancing the translation of basic science to novel therapeutics to treat serious brain disorders. In addition to our outstanding faculty, postdocs, and trainees who are at the forefront of our cutting-edge research, a large part of our center’s...
Neumora Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 1 Clinical Study of M4 Positive Allosteric Modulator NMRA-861
Jul. 11, 2025—𝐍𝐌𝐑𝐀-𝟖𝟔𝟏, a novel muscarinic M4 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) discovered at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD), has entered Phase 1 clinical trials in collaboration with Neumora Therapeutics. Read the Press release here →
Staff Spotlight – Srinivasan Krishnan, Drug Discovery Scientist
Jun. 30, 2025—The Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University consists of a remarkable community dedicated to advancing the translation of basic science to novel therapeutics to treat serious brain disorders. In addition to our outstanding faculty, postdocs, and trainees who are at the forefront of our cutting-edge research, a large part of our center’s...
Craig Lindsley featured on Quantum Potential Podcast: Rewiring the Brain and Rethinking Pain
Jun. 6, 2025—Craig Lindsley was featured on the Vanderbilt University’s Quantum Potential podcast, Dr. Craig Lindsley— Executive Director of the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery—joins Provost C. Cybele Raver to discuss groundbreaking research on how subtle changes in brain chemistry could revolutionize treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain. Lindsley highlights the power of academic-industry collaborations...
WCNDD Advances TREK Channel Drug Discovery Through Industry Collaboration
Jun. 6, 2025—The Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD) has partnered with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. to develop novel compounds targeting TREK channels—key regulators of neuronal excitability and pain signaling. This collaboration exemplifies the power of academic-industry partnerships in accelerating neuroscience innovation and advancing new therapeutic strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Read the full article...