Entrepreneurship at Mason

Innovation in the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

The Krasnow Institute seeks to expand understanding of mind, brain, and intelligence by conducting research at the intersection of the separate fields of cognitive psychology, neurobiology, and the computer-driven study of artificial intelligence and complex adaptive systems. These separate disciplines increasingly overlap and promise progressively deeper insight into human thought processes. The Institute also examines how new insights from cognitive science research can be applied for human benefit in the areas of mental health, neurological disease, education, and computer design.

Behind the search for human happiness, satisfaction, understanding, and value, lie the timeless queries about the nature of the human mind, human thought, and human emotions. While these questions are philosophical, social, and theological, their answers rest in part on our ability to scientifically access the human mind, the human brain, and the relation between the two. It is this informed access to mind and brain that is the core of the mission of The Krasnow Institute. While our goals and tools are scientific, we also are fully cognizant of the applications of the results for the benefit of mankind, in areas like mental health, neurological diseases, and computer design.

It was the enormous potential inherent in this research mission which was Shelley Krasnow's goal in endowing the Institute. In asking the major questions we realize the necessity of being flexible, innovative, and trans-disciplinary. Therefore, we are dedicated to bringing together scholars from a wide variety of specialties and providing a milieu where they can be both productive and interactive. We will provide these researchers with the tools required to move ahead and create an environment of optimal scientific integrity coupling innovation with risk taking.