Seton Melvin

Introduction to the Cloisters

Based in New York City, Seton Melvin directs the brain donor program at Mount Sinai Hospital, and previously served as vice president of Mitsubishi Bank. In her free time, Seton Melvin sits on the directors group for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the most famous art museums in the world, and most people are most familiar with the main location on Fifth Avenue, along the park. However, the museum also operates the Cloisters, a branch of the museum that highlights the art and architecture of medieval Europe.

Officially opened to the public in 1938, the Cloisters are located in Fort Tryon Park in the very north of Manhattan. The building, which overlooks the Hudson River, is the compilation of elements from medieval cloisters throughout Europe, and was designed by Charles Collens, who helped design the Riverside Church in New York City. The gardens were crafted based on horticultural information found in literature from the time, and the nearly 2,000 pieces of artwork mostly date to between the 12th and 15th centuries. The museum’s galleries were designed for a logical flow from the Romanesque through the Gothic period.

Brain Donations Further Medical Research and Help Patients’ Families

New York resident Seton Melvin had a decade-long career in finance culminating in her appointment as the vice president of Mitsubishi Bank. Now focused on facilitating research into human brains that have undergone clinically documented injuries, Seton Melvin is the director of the Brain Donor Program at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Mt. Sinai is devoted to fighting Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases by deepening its understanding of the brain, its genetic components, and the causes of these diseases. Brain tissue donation supports this research, ultimately enabling scientists to develop better diagnostic mechanisms and treatments.

As of now, only an autopsy done after a person has died can conclusively identify Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Researchers study donated brain tissue to identify locations of amyloid plaques, the hallmark of Alzheimer’s. They also look for other brain formations that signal neurodegenerative disease. One human brain can be used for hundreds of studies, increasing the chances of finding a cure for complex diseases. An accurate diagnosis can also help the deceased’s family members understand their risk of developing the disease themselves.

Both patients with dementia and those without can donate their brain. The process is simple. The person contacts the hospital’s brain donation program, signs a consent form, and designates a representative to contact the hospital when he or she dies. The hospital will take care of transporting the body to the autopsy lab where brain tissue is removed through an opening at the back of the head. It is important to note that brain donations are free. They do not alter or delay funeral arrangements and do not result in disfigurement.

Three of America’s Top Rodeos

Based in New York City, New York, Seton Melvin serves as the director of Mount Sinai Hospital’s brain donor program. An avid traveler, Seton Melvin has enjoyed a diverse range of activities including gorilla trekking in Rwanda, climbing in Austria, and rodeo riding in America’s Southwest. Below are three of the greatest rodeos in America:

1. World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo – This rodeo takes place in Payson, Arizona and has been running consecutively for 132 years. An event attended by thousands of people annually, this rodeo provides a full western experience that showcases a still-thriving rodeo heritage.

2. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – A Texas-based event, the Houston rodeo is recognized as the largest rodeo in existence and runs for 20 days. Over two million people visit this rodeo each year to enjoy championship rodeo events, superstar musical entertainers, and learning about breeding and raising livestock.

3. La Fiesta de Los Vaquero Rodeo – One of the top professional rodeos in America, this Tucson, Arizona-based event features the best performances in bull riding, team roping, barrel racing, and steer wrestling. A key highlight of this rodeo is the non-motorized parade that includes Mexican folk dancers, outfitted riders, marching bands, western-themed buggies and floats, and horse-drawn carriages.

MASS MoCa Supports World Artists

A resident of New York City, New York, Seton Melvin earned her degree from Williams College where she studied political science and economics. Presently, Seton Melvin directs the Mount Sinai Hospital’s brain donor program, the first center in the USA focused on brains afflicted by clinically documented brain injuries. She also belongs to several organizations within the art industry including the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

A center devoted to making and showcasing evocative and novel art, MASS MoCA offers indoor and outdoor performing arts venues and vast galleries. Many forms of art including theater, film, painting, sculpture, art, photography, and music are embraced at MASS MoCA.

Hundreds of the best and most innovative artists on the planet come to the center throughout the year to produce art during extended rehearsal and fabrication residencies that are subsequently showcased on site. MASS MoCA is dedicated to supporting artists in creating art that is forward-looking, fresh, and engaging while also making their visiting experience most enjoyable. Key on-campus features include a full-service restaurant, microbrewery, reasonably priced cafes, and free parking among other perks.