My career studying the neurobiology of individual differences in behavior and risk for psychopathology has been advanced by forming translational scientific bridges. All of the progress in my own program of research into how and why individuals differ in their sensitivity to the environment has been born of the bridges formed between neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry, genetics and epidemiology. It is against this backdrop that I find the potential of leveraging scientific bridges to advance the relationships of our nations and cultures so promising. Through the bridges of discourse across scientific disciplines we are beginning to unravel the mysteries of human behavior and mental illness. I am optimistic that these same bridges will illuminate the richness of our deep traditions and histories, highlighting pathways of understanding and cooperation that will transcend the boundaries of science.
