Thomas Insel is an American psychiatrist and neuroscientist known for his work in mental health research. He served as the director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) from 2002 to 2015, where he focused on understanding the biological basis of mental disorders. Insel has been influential in promoting the importance of neuroscience in developing new treatments for conditions like depression and schizophrenia. In addition to his research, Insel co-founded Mindstrong Health, a company that uses smartphone technology to monitor mental health. He has published numerous articles and books, contributing significantly to the field of psychiatry and advocating for innovative approaches to mental health care.