2026 Connecticut Medals of Technology Presented to John Krystal and the RTX Technology Research Center

John Krystal, Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Professor of Translational Research and Professor of Psychiatry, of Neuroscience, and of Psychology at Yale University, and the RTX Technology Research Center (RTRC) have been awarded the 2026 Connecticut Medals of Technology.

The awardees received their medals from Gov. Ned Lamont during a presentation ceremony at RTRC’s office this past week.

Dr. John H. Krystal is recognized “for the discovery of the rapid antidepressant actions of ketamine, the most important clinical advance in psychiatry in the current era, leading to the development of esketamine, the first mechanistically novel FDA-approved antidepressant in over 50 years.”

The RTX Technology Research Center (RTRC) is awarded the Connecticut Medal of Technology “for developing era-defining breakthroughs in commercial aviation and defense for over 95 years, during which time its scientists and engineers have pushed the limits of technology and science by taking on its customers’ toughest challenges and redefining how we connect and protect our world.”

Dr. John H. Krystal, CASE officials point out, is a leading expert in the neurobiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders. His work links psychopharmacology, neuroimaging, molecular genetics, and computational neuroscience to study the neurobiology and treatment of disorders, including alcohol use disorder, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia.

Krystal and his collaborators identified mechanisms underlying these antidepressant effects in patients: enhanced glutamate release (13C-MRS), restoration of deficits in cortical functional connectivity (fMRI), and restoration of synaptic density (PET). They also identified novel mechanisms for enhancing or sustaining these effects via mTORC1 inhibition and glycine-site NMDA-R modulation. He also studied the neurobiology and treatment of alcohol use disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia. He and his colleagues identified the first biological mechanism in PTSD in the early 1990s.

Most recently, he co-founded the National PTSD Brain Bank and co-led the first well-powered transcriptomic study of PTSD. His studies of schizophrenia identified cortical mechanisms underlying symptoms and predicted the emergence of drugs that could treat schizophrenia without blocking dopamine D2 receptors. The first drug of this type, Cobenfy, was approved by the FDA in 2024.

The RTX Technology Research Center (RTRC) is Connecticut’s premier research and development facility and an innovation hub for RTX and its business units, including Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace. For more than 95 years, the RTRC’s team of engineers and scientists has tackled the toughest challenges in aviation and defense.

As a key innovation hub for RTX, the RTRC is home to a world-class staff of scientists and engineers who drive groundbreaking technological advancements. The RTRC’s multidisciplinary teams develop advanced research concepts that support engine efficiency, hybrid electric propulsion, aviation fuels, and lighter-weight systems.

These include advanced propulsion concepts such as the hydrogen steam-injected intercooled turbine engine and the rotating detonation engine; advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing and lightweighting; and the development of advanced materials that can withstand extreme temperatures. With leading expertise in machine learning, artificial intelligence, autonomy, and optimization, the RTRC rapidly accelerates technology development for RTX.

RTRC has demonstrated a commitment to advancing technology and solving the toughest technical challenges, driven by the brightest minds around the world. This drive to push the boundaries of what is possible, coupled with a strong sense of social responsibility and commitment to the State of Connecticut, is why the RTRC endures as an innovation hub for RTX.

Said Governor Lamont of CASE and the recipients:  “The Connecticut Medical of Technology is awarded to the very best and brightest of Connecticut, and it is an honor for us to celebrate the true influencers in our state who are changing the world. Connecticut is one of the most innovative states in the nation, and we are proud to honor those who are leading in developing the new technologies and advancements that are having a global impact.”

Lamont added, “Dr. Krystal's research is not only changing the way that medical professionals treat their patients, but it's also changing the lives of those who have struggled for years seeking help for certain disorders they once may have thought were untreatable. Additionally, for nearly a century, the scientists and engineers at RTX have been developing the technologies and tools that have led the world in aviation and defense.”

The Connecticut Medal of Technology is awarded to individuals, teams, and organizations for “outstanding contributions to the economic, environmental, and social well-being of Connecticut and the nation through the promotion of technology, technological innovation, or the development of the technological workforce.”  CASE indicates that “By highlighting the importance of technological innovation, the Medal also seeks to inspire future generations to prepare for and pursue technical careers, keeping Connecticut and the nation at the forefront of global technology and economic leadership.”