A Legacy of Hope: $2.67 Million Gift Advances Addiction Research at the University of Houston
As the United States continues to grapple with a devastating opioid crisis—largely fueled by the spread of synthetic drugs such as FYL—a $2.67 million bequest to the University of Houston (UH) is turning personal loss into lasting impact. The gift, made from the estate of Dr. William A. Gibson, honors the memory of his son, Michael, who died from addiction in 2019.
This contribution builds upon an earlier donation from the Gibson family that established the Michael C. Gibson Addiction Research Program within UH’s Department of Psychology. Since its founding, the program has emerged as a global leader in addiction science. Most notably, its researchers recently developed a groundbreaking FYL vaccine designed to block the drug from entering the brain, preventing the euphoric effects that drive misuse and relapse.
The latest gift will fund two new initiatives: the Michael Conner Gibson Endowed Professorship in Psychology and the Michael Conner Gibson Research Endowment in UH’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Together, these endowments will provide permanent support for innovative addiction research and faculty leadership.
“This remarkably generous gift will significantly accelerate our addiction research efforts and open the door to new, more effective treatment strategies,” said Daniel O’Connor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
The Michael C. Gibson Addiction Research Program is led by Dr. Therese Kosten, professor of psychology, and co-led by Dr. Colin Haile, a founding member of the UH Drug Discovery Institute. Their work on the FYL vaccine holds promise as a relapse-prevention tool for individuals in recovery. While opioid use disorder is treatable, studies show that nearly 80% of people with opioid dependence experience relapse, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches.
Dr. William A. Gibson (1933–2024) was a renowned physicist, inventor, and philanthropist. After earning his doctorate in nuclear physics from the University of Rochester, he worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory before co-founding Elographics. There, he played a key role in developing resistive-touch touchscreen technology and securing several influential patents. His scientific achievements and philanthropic vision continue to leave a lasting mark.
Michael Gibson was remembered as a gifted journalist, talented musician, avid reader, and deeply loyal friend. Above all, he was a beloved son and brother.
Following Michael’s death, William and Mary Gibson provided early funding to support faculty research in the UH Addiction Behavioral Research Lab. Their intention was to honor Michael’s creativity and compassion by supporting cutting-edge science aimed at reducing the despair faced by people living with addiction and their families. The new endowments created through this bequest will ensure ongoing support for addiction research in memory of William, Mary, and Michael Gibson.
The endowed professorship will also benefit from matching funds through UH’s Aspire Fund Challenge, a transformative $50 million initiative launched in 2019 with support from an anonymous donor. Under this program, the professorship receives a one-to-one match, effectively doubling its impact. The Aspire Fund has helped expand UH’s portfolio of endowed chairs and professorships, strengthening the university’s research mission and academic excellence.
Through this gift, the Gibson family’s legacy will continue to drive innovation, compassion, and hope in the fight against addiction.
Source: UH Newsroom