Leadership Transition at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences

Stephen L. Hauser, MD, will step down as director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, effective July 1, 2026. After a decade of visionary leadership as the institute's founding director, Dr. Hauser has decided to transition from his administrative role and will continue his pioneering work as the Robert A. Fishman Distinguished Professor of Neurology at UCSF.

Since the Weill Institute's founding in 2016, Dr. Hauser has led its growth into one of the world's premier centers for neuroscience research, education, and patient care, bringing together investigators, clinicians, and trainees across disciplines to accelerate discoveries and advance treatments for neurological and psychiatric diseases.

The institute has become a powerful model for collaboration, connecting basic science, translational research, and clinical care in pursuit of better outcomes for patients and families. As the institute enters its next chapter, it will continue to serve as a unifying force across the neurosciences, fostering collaboration among the Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Neurological Surgery; the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurosciences Graduate Program; and the broader neuroscience community.

Dr. Hauser's scientific contributions have transformed the field of multiple sclerosis and helped elevate UCSF’s global leadership in neurology. His groundbreaking research redefined understanding of the disease and led to the development of B-cell therapies that have improved the lives of millions of people worldwide. He was recently recognized with the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences for his role in transforming the understanding and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Hauser's impact on UCSF extends far beyond his tenure as director of the Weill Institute. As chair of the Department of Neurology from 1992 to 2017, he helped build one of the nation's premier neurology departments through strategic faculty recruitment, groundbreaking research investments, and a steadfast commitment to excellence in patient care and education. Few individuals have had a greater influence on the growth and national prominence of the neurosciences at UCSF. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Hauser's vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing the neurosciences at UCSF. His impact on our institution and on the lives of patients around the world will endure for generations.

Moving forward, future WIN directors will be appointed by the Dean and will be selected from among the members of the WIN Executive Committee, which includes the chairs of the Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. Dr. Hauser’s successor will be announced in the coming weeks.

Please join us in thanking Dr. Hauser for his remarkable service.