A short note for Mike

I have had the privilege of being a friend and colleague of Mike Levine for many years, beginning with our mutual association with the Hereditary Disease Foundation (HDF) and both working on Huntington's disease (HD) for many years. I first met Mike at various HD meetings and as our role as scientific advisory board members for the HDF. We both have a passion for HD and try to find better ways to understand the mechanisms involved in the disease. He has been a constant presence in the field that everyone respects and looks up to. So many of us turn to him as the ultimate authority on the electrophysiology and circuitry within the basal ganglia. He is also such a great teacher to all of us. We are constantly learning from him—he would do the most fantastic job in explaining circuitry and electrophysiology to participants in a Gordon research conference, but he was always incredibly patient in all the times I would ask him to explain it yet again to me. At the same time, he values the diverse lines of research and the people in the field. And of course, watching him move to ever expanding leadership positions and knowing that someone with his clear vision and ideals is filling these positions has been so satisfying. You couldn't ask for a better leader and mentor.

Mike is a brilliant and insightful scientist who is also incredibly modest and giving. He has always been there for me as a mentor, advisor, and friend. He has been there for so many of us in the field and has had such a major impact on the field and on so many personally—writing letters for us as junior faculty, helping us to find our paths, and encouraging us to reach for our goals. He provided guidance as we moved through the intricacies of a faculty position at the University of California or other similar institutions. Mike has this calm and thoughtfulness to him but at the same time a twinkle and smile that are forever imprinted in my mind. He is inspirational with his love of travel to new and exotic places, the amazing photography he does, his love of the outdoors—leading hikes at Gordon conference and his true enjoyment of life. And with his love for his family.

For the last several years, we have had the opportunity to collaborate on a difficult but fulfilling project to use human neural stem cells as a potential therapeutic candidate for HD through transplantation of the cells. When I first approached him about getting involved in the project, he was so enthusiastic and completely ready to give it a try, even though it was such a new area for all of us. Mike has been a wonderful colleague and thoughtful partner in this and we have come a long way together since the early days of the project. No matter how busy he is, he is always a sounding board and incredible collaborator. I think I am finally understanding electrophysiology and there was great excitement seeing the improvement that the cells could provide. It has been a true gift to be able to work on this with Mike.

When I think about Mike and all the years of knowing him—it is about the friendship over the years and that seeing him always brings a sense of comfort, continuity, and the knowledge that he is someone you can confide in and rely on.

Happy Birthday Mike!