The CCARE Quarterly

Welcome from the Director of CCARE

It is my pleasure to introduce to you the first, of what I hope to be many, quarterly newsletters focused on the activities of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University (CCARE). What began as an informal dialogue between colleagues in neuroscience and psychology to examine the biological underpinnings of compassion and altruism in the fall of 2007 has grown into a center that collaborates with colleagues at Stanford and beyond on a number of research and programmatic initiatives. 

In addition to collaborative research spanning topics from the neural circuitry of nurturing to the changes in the brain that occur with altruistic intent, CCARE has created a secular Compassion Cultivation Training program (CCT) that offers the potential of significant benefit to health, well-being and social connection. This training is based on contemplative mental training practices developed millennia ago with input from experts in the psychological sciences. 

The newsletter will highlight the current work by scientists, educators, students and volunteers affiliated with CCARE. Each edition will also feature a summary of a recently published research article that aligns with the CCARE mission written by one of our researchers, fellows, post-docs, interns or undergraduate volunteers. The research summary in this edition was authored by a Stanford undergraduate “Project Compassion” student group volunteer.  Updates and announcements related to CCARE current events and activities including lectures, courses, research opportunities and conferences will also be included.  

It is indeed extraordinary how our work has already touched the lives of many individuals and how our mission resonates with so many. I look forward to sharing this exciting journey with you.

James R. Doty, MD Director and Founder of CCARE