Mr Ehlers most recently served as the George Barth Geller professor in the department of neurobiology at Duke University and as an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Previously he served as the director, Neuroproteomics Laboratory at Duke University.
Mr MacKenzie said: “Mike Ehlers’ experience in the field and his passion for transforming medical outcomes are a winning combination in helping Pfizer create the industry’s leading pipeline of neuroscience medicines.”
Mr Ehlers said: “I am excited to join an organisation that has a clear and focused commitment to neuroscience research. I look forward to bringing new insights and pushing forward these important areas of research in order to develop new medicines.”