John J. Medina is a developmental molecular biologist with special research interests in the isolation and characterization of genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. Medina has spent most of his professional life as a private research consultant, working primarily in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries on research issues related to mental health.
He was founding director of the Talaris Research Institute, which supports researchers such as Patricia Kuhl and John Gottman. He directed Talaris until 2006, and now is the director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University, which has worked on creating learning environments at Woodland Park Zoo.. He is also an affiliate professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Dr. Medina writes the "Molecules of the Mind" column for the Psychiatric Times.
Dr. Medina earned his doctorate in molecular biology from Washington State University and is a national faculty fellow of Continuing Medical Education, Inc., of Irvine, CA. In 2004, he was appointed to the rank of affiliate scholar at the National Academy of Engineering.
Brain Rules, about which Dr. Medina was recorded speaking at Google's Mountain View headquarters as part of the Authors@Google program on April 8, 2008.
The Outer Limits of Life
Depression: How it happens, How it's healed
What You Need to Know About Alzheimer's
The Clock of Ages
The Genetic Inferno: Inside the Seven Deadly Sins
Uncovering the Mystery of AIDS
Of Serotonin, Dopamine and Antipsychotic Medications