In Memory of Dr. Barbara Cornblatt
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Barbara Cornblatt a pioneering force in the field of psychiatry and psychology. Dr. Cornblatt’s remarkable career, grounded in a deep passion for understanding and improving mental health, left an indelible mark on our field and on all who had the privilege to work alongside her.
Originally from Boston, Dr. Cornblatt earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Syracuse University in 1964, an MBA in Industrial Psychology from Baruch College, and her doctorate in Experimental Psychology from The New School University, College of Social Research in New York. Throughout the 1980’s and 90’s, Dr. Cornblatt worked as a research scientist at The New York State Psychiatric Institute, an aSiliate of Columbia University Medical School. Her pioneering research in psychopathology, particularly in the areas of early intervention and prevention of schizophrenia, helped redefine the landscape of research into the psychosis prodrome. She was a leader in identifying risk factors for schizophrenia and advocating for early detection and treatment, eSorts that led to the establishment of the Recognition and Prevention (RAP) program at Zucker Hillside Hospital in 1998. The RAP Program is one of the oldest and continuously funded research programs in North America developed to study adolescents and young people considered to be at clinical high risk (CHR) for developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cornblatt was not only a visionary scientist but also a devoted mentor and collaborator. Her work with Dr. Nikki Erlenmeyer-Kimling in the New York High Risk Study, and later, her involvement with CHR research, helped shape the field’s understanding of the genetic and environmental factors influencing the development of schizophrenia. The tools she developed to better understand cognition and functional outcomes in at-risk youth have become the gold standard in the field, and her
contributions have paved the way for countless others in prevention and early identification research.
Dr. Cornblatt’s resilience, curiosity, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge were evident in every aspect of her career. As one of the founding members of the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) and Society for Research in Psychopathology (SRP), she enjoyed long and productive collaborations with many esteemed colleagues. She was not only driven by the pursuit of scientific truth but also by a deep compassion for those aSected by schizophrenia and serious mental illness. Her work continues to influence the direction of prodromal research and will resonate in the lives of the many individuals that participated in her research studies over the past decades.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Cornblatt was known for her loyalty, generosity, kindness, and strong support for her colleagues. She was a model of perseverance, determination, and grit, demonstrating that with dedication, and the support of family and friends, it is possible to make meaningful progress in both personal and professional spheres. In particular, she strongly felt that she was able to succeed in her career due to the support of her husband (Lonnie) and daughter (Sara). Her passion for her work and life will be something that will remain with all who worked with her. Her sense of humor and zest for life are legendary.
As we mourn the loss of Dr. Cornblatt, we also celebrate her incredible legacy. Her work has not only shaped the future of psychiatry and prevention research in schizophrenia but has also inspired generations of researchers and clinicians. We are all better oS having known her and having been a part of her remarkable journey.
Dr. Cornblatt will be greatly missed, but her contributions to science, her colleagues, and the countless individuals whose lives she touched will forever be remembered. Finally, she had a deep love for animals and contributed what she could to their protection and care. She was especially fond of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which protects and conserves elephant wildlife and habitats in Kenya (sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/donate/honour). Please consider making a donation in her name. A celebration of life is planned in the Spring.
In Memoriam: Professor Don Linszen
Many SIRS members have good memories of the many meetings with prof. dr. Don Linszen, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 76. Don was a pioneer in the treatment of young people with psychosis, for whom he started a special treatment program, which at that time was unique in the Netherlands. His treatment program was one of the first to provide a holistic view, aiming to improve not only mental health, but also social and personal well-being.
He was an excellent scientist who contributed on so many aspects of psychosis treatment and understanding. For example, he was among the first to investigate the complex bidirectional relationships between cannabis use and vulnerability to develop schizophrenia. He provided many leads to understanding which factors influence the transition from at-risk state to early psychosis. Social and biological factors were investigated with the same vigor. As an active member of the Dutch GROUP consortium, he helped to gather and analyse a unique first episode cohort, which shed new light on important domains like cognition, substance abuse, social functioning and well-being. He was also an adventurer, who travelled to Tanzania to discover the roots of “old genes” potentially important for psychosis. Don is probably most well-known for his excellent skills in mentoring young doctors and researchers in the Netherlands and beyond and inspiring them to dedicate their career to better understanding and treatment of early psychosis. Don led the Amsterdam psychosis treatment program, that fostered many talented schizophrenia researchers like prof. dr. Therese van Amelsvoort, prof. dr. Lieuwe de Haan, and dr. Dorien Nieman. His son, David Linszen, has worked alongside his father in an early intervention team for psychosis, while his daughter, Mascha Linszen, is a psychiatry resident and also active in the field of psychosis research, so that the name Linszen will continue to provide important contributions to the SIRS community and to the understanding of schizophrenia.
In Memoriam: Professor Julian Leff
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Professor Julian Leff. A symposium has been organized on 26 May in honour of Professor Julian Leff. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IhV4I0fITA2_SOmcxSp1Pg. Please see the In Memoriam posted by the World Psychiatric Association at WPA In Memoriam.
In Memoriam: Niki Erlenmeyer-Kimling, PhD
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Niki Erlenmeyer-Kimling. Dr. Erlenmeyer-Kimling mentored many SIRS members, and inspired countless more, with her scientific rigor, generativity, and generosity of spirit. She was a pioneering scientist in experimental behavioral genetics and genetic high-risk studies. A true role model in science for more than a half a century, she was awarded the William K. Warren Schizophrenia Research Award from ICOSR in 1995. Please see the obituary posted by NY Times at https://legcy.co/2ZBtxp1.
In Memoriam: Deborah L. Levy, PhD
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Deborah Levy, Director of the Psychology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Levy was a brilliant scientist, longtime member of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS), and collaborator to many. Beginning in the 1970’s she became known for her pioneering studies with Philip Holzman investigating the genetics of schizophrenia in multiplex families and showing that abnormal smooth-pursuit eye tracking was a genetic marker for schizophrenia. She later continued to develop this valuable family resource for use in studies of various candidate gene mutations and mechanisms underlying schizophrenia. Dr. Levy was a mentor to many fellow SIRS members as well as served on numerous SIRS committees. Please see the in memoriam posted by McLean hospital at https://www.mcleanhospital.org/news/memoriam-deborah-l-levy-phd.
In Memoriam: Professor Don Linszen
Many SIRS members have good memories of the many meetings with prof. dr. Don Linszen, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 76. Don was a pioneer in the treatment of young people with psychosis, for whom he started a special treatment program, which at that time was unique in the Netherlands. His treatment program was one of the first to provide a holistic view, aiming to improve not only mental health, but also social and personal well-being.
He was an excellent scientist who contributed on so many aspects of psychosis treatment and understanding. For example, he was among the first to investigate the complex bidirectional relationships between cannabis use and vulnerability to develop schizophrenia. He provided many leads to understanding which factors influence the transition from at-risk state to early psychosis. Social and biological factors were investigated with the same vigor. As an active member of the Dutch GROUP consortium, he helped to gather and analyse a unique first episode cohort, which shed new light on important domains like cognition, substance abuse, social functioning and well-being. He was also an adventurer, who travelled to Tanzania to discover the roots of “old genes” potentially important for psychosis. Don is probably most well-known for his excellent skills in mentoring young doctors and researchers in the Netherlands and beyond and inspiring them to dedicate their career to better understanding and treatment of early psychosis. Don led the Amsterdam psychosis treatment program, that fostered many talented schizophrenia researchers like prof. dr. Therese van Amelsvoort, prof. dr. Lieuwe de Haan, and dr. Dorien Nieman. His son, David Linszen, has worked alongside his father in an early intervention team for psychosis, while his daughter, Mascha Linszen, is a psychiatry resident and also active in the field of psychosis research, so that the name Linszen will continue to provide important contributions to the SIRS community and to the understanding of schizophrenia.
In Memoriam: Professor Julian Leff
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Professor Julian Leff. A symposium has been organized on 26 May in honour of Professor Julian Leff. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IhV4I0fITA2_SOmcxSp1Pg. Please see the In Memoriam posted by the World Psychiatric Association at WPA In Memoriam.
In Memoriam: Niki Erlenmeyer-Kimling, PhD
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Niki Erlenmeyer-Kimling. Dr. Erlenmeyer-Kimling mentored many SIRS members, and inspired countless more, with her scientific rigor, generativity, and generosity of spirit. She was a pioneering scientist in experimental behavioral genetics and genetic high-risk studies. A true role model in science for more than a half a century, she was awarded the William K. Warren Schizophrenia Research Award from ICOSR in 1995. Please see the obituary posted by NY Times at https://legcy.co/2ZBtxp1.
In Memoriam: Deborah L. Levy, PhD
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dr. Deborah Levy, Director of the Psychology Research Laboratory at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Levy was a brilliant scientist, longtime member of the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS), and collaborator to many. Beginning in the 1970’s she became known for her pioneering studies with Philip Holzman investigating the genetics of schizophrenia in multiplex families and showing that abnormal smooth-pursuit eye tracking was a genetic marker for schizophrenia. She later continued to develop this valuable family resource for use in studies of various candidate gene mutations and mechanisms underlying schizophrenia. Dr. Levy was a mentor to many fellow SIRS members as well as served on numerous SIRS committees. Please see the in memoriam posted by McLean hospital at https://www.mcleanhospital.org/news/memoriam-deborah-l-levy-phd.
