Washington University School of Medicine Oral Histories
Marcus E. Raichle Oral History
Interviewer
Tamara Hershey, PhD
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Summary
Marcus E. Raichle, MD was interviewed by Tamara Hershey, PhD on May 13, 2022 for approximately 2 hours.
Scope and Content
Raichle delves into his life and illustrious career in neuroscience. Born in Hoquiam, Washington, and raised in Aberdeen, Dr. Raichle initially pursued political science and history at the University of Washington before switching to medicine. His medical training at Johns Hopkins and Cornell, coupled with his service as a flight surgeon during the Vietnam War, laid the foundation for his groundbreaking research in brain circulation and metabolism. Invited by Michel Ter-Pogossian to join Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Raichle made significant contributions to neuroimaging, particularly in developing positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Dr. Raichle’s work has profoundly impacted cognitive neuroscience, notably through his identification of the brain’s default mode network and contributions to resting state functional connectivity. These discoveries have provided critical insights into brain function and disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD. Throughout the interview, Dr. Raichle emphasizes the importance of curiosity, persistence, mentorship, and collaboration in scientific research, reflecting on his lifelong passion for understanding the brain's complexities and his dedication to advancing the field of neuroscience.
Biographical Information: Interviewee
Marcus E. Raichle, MD was born in 1937 in Hoquiam, Washington. He received his bachelor’s and medical degrees from University of Washington. After a residency in neurology at the Cornell University Medical Center and service with the U.S. Air Force, he came to Washington University in St. Louis with joint appointments in neurology and radiology. He became Professor of Radiology, Neurology, Neurobiology and Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St Louis. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, The Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He and his colleagues have made outstanding contributions to the study of human brain function through the development and use of positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
Biographical Information: Interviewer
Tamara Hershey, PhD, is the James S. McDonnell Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) and the Department of Psychiatry. Hershey also serves as director of MIR’s Neuroimaging Labs Research Center, director of the McDonnell Center for Systems Neuroscience, co-director of the Neuroscience PhD Program and past president of the Academic Women’s Network, all at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Her research is in the fields of cognitive and clinical neuroscience and has been supported by numerous foundation and NIH R01 awards.
Interview Date
2022-05-13
Collection Identifier
OH155
Length
Approximately 2 hours.
Restrictions
Users wishing to publish (in whole, or in part) content taken from the audio or transcript of this oral history interview must request, sign, and return a Statement of Use form to the Becker Archives. For detailed information regarding publication and use of this oral history, contact the Becker Archives (arb@wusm.wustl.edu).
Recommended Citation
Marcus E. Raichle Oral History, OH155, Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives, Washington University in St. Louis.
Disclaimer
The Becker Archives provides access to this oral history interview as a record of the past. This interview reflects the attitudes, perspectives, and beliefs of the interview participants, which may reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views and opinions. The Becker Archives does not endorse the views expressed in this interview, which may contain materials offensive to some users.
