Bruce McEwen

Bruce McEwen (January 17, 1938 – January 2, 2020) was an American neuroscientist and neuroendocrinologist. He was best known for his work on the effects of stress on the brain and the body, and for his studies on the impact of hormones on the structure and function of the brain.

Early life and education

McEwen was born in Fort Collins, Colorado. He received his BA in Chemistry from Oberlin College in 1959 and his PhD in Cell Biology from Rockefeller University in 1964.

Career

After completing his PhD, McEwen remained at Rockefeller University as a postdoctoral fellow. He later became a faculty member and was eventually appointed as the Alfred E. Mirsky Professor of Neuroscience.

McEwen's research focused on the effects of stress and sex hormones on the brain. He was particularly interested in the concept of allostasis, the process by which the body responds to stressors in order to regain homeostasis. His work has significantly contributed to our understanding of how stress can affect brain structure and function, and how it can contribute to the development of mental and physical health problems.

Awards and honors

Over the course of his career, McEwen received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to neuroscience and neuroendocrinology. These include the Karl Spencer Lashley Award in 1994, the Pasarow Foundation Award for Neuropsychiatry in 1999, and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Freedom to Discover Award in Neuroscience in 2005.

Death

McEwen died on January 2, 2020, at the age of 81.

See also

• Neuroendocrinology
• Stress (biology)
• Allostasis

External links

• Bruce McEwen's profile at Rockefeller University