"It's a great opportunity actually for recruiting over the next years," Fischbach said.
Though renovations are proceeding in the building, the specific apportionment and disbursement of the $60 million in gift funds has not yet been fully settled, said Susan S. Sherwin, associate dean.
"That's what's so wonderful about it: it's not planned for specific uses as far as I know," Fischbach said.
At least some of the funds will support an annual lectureship in honor of Genise Goldenson, Tosteson said.
In 1948, the Goldenson couple founded the United Cerebral Palsy Fund, a national organization devoted to promoting preventive research and educating the public about this neurological disorder.
Mrs. Goldenson has also led efforts to apply space technology to make wheelchairs lighter and convince businesses to reserve parking spaces for the handicapped.
Dr. Elio Raviols, professor of neuroanatomy, said interest in neuroscience is growing dramatically, as evidenced by the Goldenson gift and the possibility of cresting a new concentration in the neurosciences at the College.
"We have reached a stage really in which we can tackle the most fundamental questions of the neural system. It is a combination of molecular biology, electrical physiology and structural technology," Raviols said.
The Goldenson gift should allow the Medical School to maintain its leadership role in this rapidly expanding field.