AJ Mitchell is an Associate Scientific Project and Alliance Manager on the Neural Dynamics team at the Allen Institute. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of West Georgia in 2011 and began his research career at Emory University in Atlanta, where he supported preclinical studies on the role of oxytocin in social behavior.

In 2017, AJ moved to Portland, Oregon to pursue a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience at Oregon Health & Science University. Under the mentorship of Dr. Elinor Sullivan, he examined how maternal diet influences fetal brain development and early-life social behavior. After completing his doctorate, AJ transitioned into global health and joined the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. As a Managing Research Scientist, he led a collaborative team focused on characterizing economic and epidemiological burdens in brain disorders globally.

As part of Scientific Operations, AJ supports projects and institutional initiatives through aligning scientific innovation with operational structures. Outside of work, he enjoys kayaking, cooking, and spending time with his family.