Coupled Chairs

by Kirsten Holguin

In fall, psychology professors Antonio and Hanna Damasio were installed as the David Dornsife Chair in Neuroscience and Dana Dornsife Chair in Neuroscience, respectively. A $5 million gift from Dana and David Dornsife, a USC trustee, established the endowed chairs.

“Antonio and I are a working science couple. Dana and David are a working philanthropy couple. I think this is a perfect symmetry,” said Hanna Damasio, a brain-imaging pioneer who directs the Dornsife Imaging Center. “It is an honor to be associated with them through these chairs.”

Antonio Damasio, who has reshaped scientific understanding of emotions, memory, language and decision-making, leads the USC Brain and Creativity Institute.

The Dornsifes’ earlier $8 million gift established the Dornsife Cognitive Neuroscience Imaging Center, which helped lure the Damasios to USC.

“Professors spend years raising funds to conduct their research while trying to earn tenure, all with the ultimate goal of appointment to an endowed chair,” Dana Dornsife said.

“The gift was pivotal coming just as we began the Tradition & Innovation Initiative,” said Dean Peter Starr. “The Dornsifes’ generosity helped build our momentum.”