Concordia Lutheran Alumnus and Harvard Autism Researcher
Dr. Chris McDougle to Speak in Fort Wayne
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 8, 2026
Fort Wayne, Indiana — Concordia Lutheran High School will welcome distinguished alumnus Dr. Christopher J. McDougle, Class of 1977, back to Fort Wayne for a community presentation on his work in autism research.
Hosted by Concordia Lutheran High School in partnership with the University of Saint Francis, Dr. McDougle will speak from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 at Doermer Family Center for Health Science Education on the campus of University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street. The event is free and open to the public, including students, families, educators and members of the Fort Wayne healthcare community.
Dr. McDougle is an internationally recognized expert in the research and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders that extend into adulthood. He serves as director of the Lurie Center for Autism at Massachusetts General Hospital and as the Nancy Lurie Marks Professor in the Field of Autism at Harvard Medical School.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. McDougle back to Fort Wayne and to Concordia,” said Matt Konow, Chief Advancement Officer at Concordia. “His leadership and contributions in the field of autism research are making a meaningful difference in countless lives, and we are excited to share his insights with our community.”
A neuropsychopharmacologist with more than 25 years of clinical experience, Dr. McDougle has dedicated his career to improving the lives of children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. In his current role, he focuses on advancing research and developing new treatments by leveraging the extensive medical and academic resources available in Boston and beyond.
Prior to joining Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. McDougle served as chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and executive director of the Institute of Psychiatric Research at Indiana University School of Medicine, where he was also the Albert Eugene Sterne Professor of Psychiatry. He continues to maintain an active clinical practice and has played a key role in expanding services for adults with autism spectrum disorders.
A 1977 graduate of Concordia Lutheran High School, Dr. McDougle earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from Valparaiso University and a Doctor of Medicine from Indiana University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the Yale Child Study Center.