Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience / About Us / History

History

Ernie Del Monte In May 2009, Ernest J. Del Monte, chairman of E.J. Del Monte Corporation, a Rochester-based company that owns and operates 17 hotels in New York State, made a $10 million commitment with his wife, Thelma, after getting to know neuroscience leaders at the Medical Center. He was impressed that scientific studies in Rochester are providing critical insight into neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, stroke, brain tumors, and injuries to the brain and spinal cord, all of which are rapidly becoming more prevalent.

“Neuroscience is one of the most promising endeavors that the University has undertaken,” Del Monte said at the time of his gift. “We have all the necessary ingredients to be successful internationally. My hope is that this gift will be the force to help scientists and clinicians collaborate seamlessly so that one day, from this Institute, the cure for Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other neurological disorders will emerge. I truly believe we can do it.”

Ernest J. Del Monte, who also served as a University of Rochester Life Trustee, died Saturday, April 21, 2012, at 87 years of age. His generosity to the University of Rochester leaves a legacy of innovation and collaboration to help eradicate neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.

The Del Monte’s gift was the catalyst for the establishment of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, which now serves as an umbrella for several vibrant research centers and growing clinical care programs throughout the Medical Center and River Campus.

The son of a painting contractor who shared a home with eight siblings, Mr. Del Monte learned early in life that hard work, creativity, bold decisions, and teamwork would bring about success.

He served as a pilot in World War II and parlayed his military experience to fill an unmet need: building generators for aircraft missiles. That led to the creation of E.J. Del Monte Corp. in 1953, first working out of his basement, and then from a factory on Linden Avenue in East Rochester with 175 full-time workers. His company developed the sidewinder missile generator for F-102 fighter jets. His innovation resulted in ownership of dozens and dozens of patents for various inventions.

Over time, his interest transitioned into real estate and hotel development. As he built warehouses and business offices, he pioneered the construction of hotels using modular units. This approach, for which he received more than 20 patents, has since been used to construct hotels around the world.

In 1972, Mr. Del Monte established a relationship with the Marriott Corporation, and today the company owns and operates 17 Marriott hotels in New York, including the Del Monte Lodge in Pittsford and the Marriott in Greece.

The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience Retreat

Photo of DelMonte VIP The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience retreat was held on Thursday, December 1, 2016, at the Hilton Garden Inn at College Town. The retreat, scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., brought together scientists working in all neuroscience fields across the University.

Key stakeholders presented promising ideas, programs, and services. After the presentations, feedback was solicited with small group discussions to help direct priorities and goals for the Institute’s upcoming strategic plan.

PDF versions of each presentation are available for you to download.

Agenda

The Ernest J. Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience Retreat
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Hilton Garden Inn at College Town

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.	Welcome and Introduction - John Foxe, Ph.D.
12:50 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.	Official Opening - Mark Taubman, Dean and CEO
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.	Session 1: Neurodevelopmental Disorders Watch the Introduction and Session 1 video Speakers: Tris Smith - The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (IDDRC) Margot Mayer-Proschel/Jon Mink/Mark Noble - Rare Diseases (Rett Syndrome, The Lysosomal Storage Disorders and other Neurogenetic Diseases) Tom O’Connor - Maternal stress and the neural sequelae in offspring (The ECHO Program)
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Session 2: Regenerative Neuroscience Watch the Session 2 video Speakers: Bradford Berk - The University of Rochester Neurorestoration Institute (RNI) Handy Gelbard - The Center for Neural Development and Disease (CNDD) John Elfar - Neurotherapeutics in nerve injury
3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.	Break
3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.	Session 3: Aging Neuroscience Watch the Session 3 video Speakers: Erika Augustine/Ray Dorsey - The Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research (UDALL) Jan Moynihan/Yeates Conwell - Report from the Psychiatry Department (Sensory-motor Integration in Aging, The Center for Healthy aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Initiatives) Kerry O’Banion - Alzheimer’s Disease from bench to the bedside, from molecules to mind
4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.	Session 4: Cognition, Circuits and Addiction Watch the Session 4 video Speakers: Jessica Cantlon and Ben Hayden - The Center for the Origins of Cognition Bradford Mahon - Invasive mapping & deep-brain stimulation: A Report from the Neurosurgery Suite. Suzanne Haber - Neural Circuits and the Study of Addiction
5:15 p.m. - 5:55 p.m.	Session 5: Vision and Pain Watch the Session 5 and Closing Remarks video Speakers: Eli Eliav - Center for Pain Research and Innovation Krystal Huxlin/Dave Williams - The Center for Visual Sciences (Vision Restoration & Virtual Environments)
6:00 p.m.	Final Remarks and Next Steps
	Closing Reception Please join us after the retreat for drinks, appetizers, and good conversation.

Please contact Kathleen Jensen at kathleen_jensen@urmc.rochester.edu or (585) 276-8730 if you are interested in obtaining any of the original presentations.

Retreat Agenda