STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Project Metis
A holistic initiative focused on life-long brain health to enhance human flourishing and spur economic growth.
The Center is focusing on a bold initiative to position the Houston/Galveston region as the global leader in brain health and the emerging brain economy.
Project Metis brings together world-class institutions, visionary leaders, and strategic partners to drive human flourishing, innovation, and economic growth through a holistic focus on lifelong brain health.
The Vision
Brain health is the defining frontier of this century. Named after the Greek goddess of wisdom and deep thought, Project Metis reflects our commitment to advancing understanding, prevention, and treatment across the full life cycle of the brain—from early development to healthy aging.
Working with powerhouse medical, academic, and business institutions, we are establishing Houston/Galveston as the epicenter of the emerging brain economy—a new era where brain health and cognitive skills (“brain capital”) serve as key levers for economic growth and human potential.
Our Focus Areas
Project Metis works across five interconnected fronts:
Early Life – Supporting optimal brain development from prenatal through childhood years.
Workplace Years – Promoting cognitive health, mental wellness, and peak performance in the working population.
Healthy Aging – Advancing prevention, early detection, and care for age-related cognitive conditions.
Medical/Science – Accelerating research breakthroughs in neuroscience, treatment, and recovery.
Innovation & Commercialization – Building an ecosystem to recruit, incubate, and scale brain health startups and technologies.
Our Approach
Over the next 18 months, Project Metis will:
Convene and Collaborate – Launch expert working teams focused on brain health across all life stages, scientific advances, and innovation.
Measure Progress – Develop a regional Brain Health Index to track outcomes and equity.
Pilot and Scale – Implement breakthrough projects in clinical care, education, workplace wellness, and community health.
Build the Ecosystem – Recruit and support neuro-startups, connect researchers with entrepreneurs, and foster commercialization.
Lead Globally – Share Houston’s progress and learnings at major international forums, including Davos and the UN General Assembly.
Inspire Action – Host high-visibility events and thought leadership to engage the community and drive momentum.
Partners and Supporters
Chairing the Project Metis Steering Committee are:
Founding Chair
Dr. Jochen Reiser, CEO, MD, PhD, President of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System
Project Chairs
Amy Dittmar, Executive Vice President and Provost, Rice University
Dr. David L. Callender, CEO, Memorial Hermann Health System
Inaugural Steering Committee Members
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Eric Mullins
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center