Brain

Fireside Chat with Dr. Nora Volkow, MD
2021-01-26 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Join UC BRAID and UC Irvine ICTS for a Fireside Chat with Dr. Nora Volkow, MD, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. We are excited to have Dr. Volkow engage with University of California for a lively and dynamic discussion. For a preview, you can watch Dr. Volkow discuss her work in her NIDA blog or during her TEDMED and Moth talks.

Please visit the event page for an agenda of the day’s events and registration.

Stress, Social Relationships, and Pathways to Mental and Physical Health
2021-01-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Dr. Doom will discuss findings using longitudinal data demonstrating associations between early unpredictability, harshness, and deprivation and later mental and physical health. She will discuss the understudied role of micronutrient deficiencies in understanding cognitive, emotional, behavioral pathways to later health. Finally, she will discuss work on social buffering suggesting that there may be developmental changes in social relationships that determine who may be effective buffers of stress to improve health across the lifespan.
Jenalee Doom, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
Stress, Early Experiences, and Development (SEED) Center
University of Denver

NextGen Epilepsy Seminars – Rosalia Paterno, PhD
2021-01-28 10:00 - 23:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Rosalia Paterno, PhD, a postdoc in Scott Baraban’s lab at UCSF, will present her latest epilepsy-related research. This event is part of the NextGen Epilepsy Seminar Series which features postdocs and graduate students. This event is sponsored by the Epilepsy Research Center and the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology.

CNCM Seminar with Dr. Aaron W. McGee
2021-02-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Genetic and Circuit Mechanisms to Close Critical Periods for Neural Plasticity
Please join the UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping in a virtual seminar featuring, Aaron W. McGee Ph.D., of the Department of Anatomical Sciences & Neurobiology of University of Louisville School of Medicine, where he will be presenting his latest research.

UCI Neurology Grand Rounds featuring Dr. Jeanne Loring
2021-02-05 08:00 - 09:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Development of autologous dopamine neuron replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease.
Please join the Department of Neurology in their virtual Grand Rounds featuring, Jeanne Loring, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Molecular Medicine – Scripps Research, La Jolla and Founder of Aspen Neuroscience.

CNLM Virtual Colloquium with Dr. Beth Stevens
2021-02-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
(Re) Defining Myeloid Cell States and Function in Alzheimer’s Disease
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory in a virtual colloquium with Dr. Beth Stevens, Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard University.
Abstract: Emerging evidence from genetic association studies shows that dysregulation of the brain’s immune system plays a key role in the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disease. Our research aims to identify and validate disease mechanisms informed by human genetics and identify functional and mechanistic markers of myeloid and glial cells in detrimental states, before cognitive decline, that can be readily detected through imaging and fluid biomarkers. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and proteomic approaches we identified molecular signatures that can be used to localize and monitor distinct microglia functional states in human and mouse brain. Our results show that microglia assume diverse functional states in development, aging and injury, including populations corresponding to known microglial functions including proliferation, migration, inflammation, and synaptic phagocytosis. In addition, we identified several innate immune pathways by which microglia recognize and prune synapses during development and in models of disease, including the classical complement cascade. Illuminating the mechanisms by which developing synaptic circuits are sculpted is providing important insight on understanding how to protect synapses in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases of synaptic dysfunction.

Jason D. Shepherd, PhD
2021-02-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Virus-Like Intercellular Communication In The Nervous System
Hosted by: Dr. Emiliana Borrelli
Please join UCI School of Medicine’s Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics in a virtual seminar with Jason D. Shepherd, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair of Neurobiology, Biochemistry, and Ophthalmology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, where he will present his latest research.

Free to attend. Registration required.

REGISTER NOW

Thomas Sutula, M.D., Ph.D.
2021-02-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Dr. Thomas Sutula, emeritus professor in the department of neurology at the University of Wisconsin, will be one of the speakers in the 2020/21 EpiCenter Seminar Series.

NextGen Epilepsy Seminars – Joanna Mattis, MD, PhD
2021-02-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Joanna Mattis, MD, PhD, a Neurology Resident in Ethan Goldberg’s lab at CHOP / UPenn, will present her latest epilepsy-related research. This event is part of the NextGen Epilepsy Seminar Series which features postdocs and graduate students. This event is sponsored by the Epilepsy Research Center and the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology.

Neurobiology and Behavior Distinguished Colloquium - Eric Nestler, PhD
2021-03-02 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Save the Date

Dr. Nestler is the Nash Family Professor of Neuroscience, Director of the Friedman Brain Institute and Dean for Academic and Scientific Affairs at the ICHAN School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of drug addiction and depression in animal models. The goal of Dr. Nestler’s research is to better understand the molecular mechanisms of addiction and depression. His laboratory uses animal models of these disorders to identify the ways in which long-term exposure to drugs of abuse or stress changes the brain to lead to addiction- or depression-like syndromes. A major focus of his work is on drug- and stress-induced changes in gene expression and chromatin structure within the brain’s reward circuitry, and the mechanisms by which those lasting adaptations alter neuronal and circuit function to produce behavioral abnormalities.

Details coming soon!

CNLM Virtual Colloquium with Dr. Alicia Izquierdo
2021-03-09 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Frontocortical circuits in reward learning and choice under uncertainty
Join the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory for a virtual colloquium with Alicia Izquierdo, Ph.D., Behavioral Neuroscience Professor from the UCLA Department of Psychology.

NextGen Epilepsy Seminars – Emily Ling-Lin Pai, MD, PhD
2021-03-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Emily Ling-Lin Pai, MD, PhD, a postdoc in John Rubenstein’s lab at UCSF, will present her latest epilepsy-related research. This event is part of the NextGen Epilepsy Seminar Series which features postdocs and graduate students. This event is sponsored by the Epilepsy Research Center and the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology.

ASK THE DOC: What is frontotemporal dementia? @ Facebook & YouTube LIVE
2021-03-11 12:00 - 12:30 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Presented by UCI MIND, Ask the Doc is an informative live video series focused on the most pressing questions about frontotemporal dementia.
About the Doc:
Ahmad Sajjadi, MD, PhD, MRCP
Dr. Ahmad Sajjadi is Assistant Professor of Neurology in the UCI School of Medicine. Dr. Sajjadi received his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran and his PhD from the University of Cambridge in the UK. Dr. Sajjadi is a behavioral neurologist who sees patients with memory concerns and also conducts research on Alzheimer’s disease and atypical forms of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia.

Read aloud and meet the author/scientist
2021-03-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Theanne Griffith, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and children’s book author who will read aloud from her book “The Magnificent Makers #2: Brain Trouble”. Sponsored by the Dana Foundation, Dr. Griffith will then talk about being a scientist and answer questions. Want to read along with Dr. Griffith? Click here to purchase your own copy.

Conte Center@UCI 8th Annual Symposium
2021-03-16 09:00 - 13:30 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Mechanisms of fear, threat and trauma memory encoding: Relevance for PTSD

Join the Conte Center @ UCI ‘s 8th Annual Symposium featuring Professor of Psychiatry and Chief Scientific Officer of Harvard University, Kerry Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., as keynote speaker.

Download the event flyer here.

RSVP Required

Cognitive Care Solutions Presents: Dana Greenia
2021-03-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Dana Greenia is a registered nurse, clinical researcher and co-investigator in the 90+ study, a NIH-NIA funded population-based investigation of people over the age of 90. Initiated in 2003, the 90+ study is based in Laguna Woods, California and has enrolled more than 1,960 participants making it likely the largest study of its kind in the world. Dana Greenia will discuss the study and the updates that she and her team have learned.

12th Annual Emerging Scientists Symposium
2021-03-18 09:00 - 12:30 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Please join REMIND and UCI MIND for its 12th Annual Emerging Scientists Symposium on Thursday, March 18th on Zoom with keynote speaker, Tony Wyss-Coray, PhD, D.H. Chen Professor II of Neurology & Neurological Sciences at Stanford University (see flyer below).

Register at www.mind.uci.edu/remindsymposium. Trainee abstracts are due Friday, February 26th. There will be cash prizes!

For questions, please email remind@uci.edu.

Irvine Brain Bee
2021-03-20 09:00 - 13:30 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Join the UCI CNLM for an interactive, engaging day of neuroscience fun featuring a keynote lecture, virtual poster session, demonstrations and activities for high school students.
Students will have opportunities to network with UCI neuroscience faculty and students throughout the day to learn more about pathway to neuroscience and careers in neuroscience.
For more information, please visit: https://cnlm.uci.edu/irvinebrainbee2021/

SCYNA Virtual Symposium
2021-03-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
The Southern California Youth Neuroscience Association(SCYNA) hosts its first ever Virtual Symposium. The Symposium will feature interesting and creative presentations by SCYNA members (high schoolers from SoCal) on various neuroscience topics.

4C the Future: Compassion
2021-03-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Join UCI Brain virtually for our inaugural UCI Brain Dialogue Series, 4C the Future. UCI faculty from across the UCI campus will discuss Compassion. Featured speakers for this event are:

Nancy Guerra, Dean of the School of Social Ecology and Professor of Psychological Science
Sherine Hamdy, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Richard Matthew, Professor & Director of the Blum Center for Poverty Alleviation
Julian Thayer, Distinguished Professor of Psychological Science

The UCI Brain Dialogue series is a monthly forum that brings together researchers studying one phenomenon from various perspectives. Events will include 10-minutes presentations from 3-4 invited speakers, followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A. This series is designed for both academics and the public.

Invite your friends on Facebook!

EpiCenter Annual Symposium
2021-03-23 09:00 - 15:00 | CA
Dr. Elizabeth Thiele, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, will be the keynote speaker during the EpiCenter Annual Symposium.

Visualize: Art as a Mechanism to Communicate Science
2021-03-25 17:00 - 18:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Art and science have always formed a natural partnership. Artists have an intangible ability to help people understand complex ideas. Their works have visually described new species, demonstrated complex natural and technological processes and concepts, and have enabled us to see the microscopic and the cosmic.
In this talk, Rae will discuss the importance of art in the sciences; how it has inspired scientific progress, the power that it wields as a tool to communicate science, how she has successfully collaborated with scientists to create dynamic SciComm projects and how you can too!

Wei Xu, Ph.D.
2021-03-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
The UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping will be hosting Dr. Wei Xu, from the Department of Neuroscience of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, in a virtual seminar where he will present his latest research.

NextGen Epilepsy Seminars – Trina Basu, PhD
2021-04-01 10:00 - 11:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Trina Basu, PhD, a postdoc in Jamie Maguire’s lab at Tufts University, will present her latest epilepsy-related research. This event is part of the NextGen Epilepsy Seminar Series which features postdocs and graduate students. This event is sponsored by the Epilepsy Research Center and the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology.

Neuromatch Academy: Democratizing computational neuroscience education through interactive, intensive instruction
2021-04-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Abstract: Neuromatch Academy (NMA) was founded in spring 2020 in response to two catalysts: (1) the recognition that traditional intensive summer programs in computational neuroscience are expensive and exclusive, leaving out a large proportion of qualified and deserving trainee participants; and (2) the COVID-19 pandemic canceled these in-person summer schools anyway. We founded NMA with the goal of tackling these problems by providing online, globally-accessible high-quality computational neuroscience training at a low, waivable cost ($100USD or less) so that any student with the appropriate background and skillset to participate would be able to join. In its inaugural year, NMA’s 3-week summer intensive program enrolled 1700+ students supported by 190+ teaching assistants from 60+ countries, provided instruction in 14 languages, and built an organizers’ community of over 300 neuroscience academics worldwide. Over 85% of enrolled students completed the course. Now, we are designing new evaluation metrics to understand which elements worked best, to continually improve, and to understand how online learning can be optimized to best reach students across geographic, political, socioeconomic, and linguistic barriers worldwide. So now we ask you: What would you like to see, and how can NMA best pilot and optimize educational innovations that can be applied to other areas or fields?
About the Speaker: Megan Peters is an Assistant Professor of Cognitive Sciences at UC Irvine and the President and co-founder of Neuromatch, a nonprofit organization that provides online computational neuroscience education through the Neuromatch Academy (NMA) summer school. Peters’ academic research is on metacognition, perception, and consciousness with focus on computational and cognitive neuroscience methods in humans. She received her PhD in Psychology from UCLA in 2014 which was followed by a postdoc there, and from 2017-2020 she was on the Bioengineering faculty at UC Riverside before moving to UC Irvine Cognitive Sciences in 2020. At NMA, she is the President and Chairperson of the Board and is involved in curriculum development, operations, and evaluation among wearing many other “hats”.

Register in advance to attend this meeting (unless already registered for DLL meetings this year)
https://uci.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sf-GsqTguGN1FP3nGFs_M43Eb6cyX9F7Y

CNLM Virtual Colloquium with Kate M. Wassum, Ph.D.
2021-04-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Amygdala-cortical circuitry in reward learning and pursuit
To make adaptive decisions we must cast ourselves into the future and consider the outcomes of our potential choices. This prospective consideration is informed by our memories. I will discuss our lab’s recent work investigating the neural circuits responsible for encoding, updating, and retrieving reward memories for use in the considerations underlying decision making. We have taken a multifaceted approach to these investigations, combining recording, modern circuit dissection, and behavioral tools. Our results indicate that the orbitofrontal cortex and basolateral amygdala work in a reciprocal circuit to mediate in these functions. The cognitive symptoms underlying many psychiatric disorders result from a failure to appropriately learn about and/or anticipate potential future events, making these basic science data relevant to the understanding and potential treatment of mental illness.

Development and Cell Biology Spring Seminar Series with Dr. Javier Apfeld
2021-04-08 11:00 - 12:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
C. elegans Processes Sensory Information to Choose Between Freeloading and Self-defense Strategies
Join the UCI Department of Developmental and Cell Biology in a virtual seminar with Dr. Javier Apfield, Assistant Professor of the College of Science of Northeastern University.
Abstract:
Hydrogen peroxide is the preeminent chemical weapon that organisms use for combat. Individual cells rely on conserved defenses to prevent and repair peroxide-induced damage, but whether similar defenses might be coordinated across cells in animals remains poorly understood. In this seminar, I will discuss our recent findings showing that in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans a neuronal circuit processes information perceived by two sensory neurons to control the induction of hydrogen-peroxide defenses in target tissues. We found that catalases produced by Escherichia coli, the nematode’s food source, can deplete hydrogen peroxide from the local environment and thereby protect the nematodes. In the presence of E. coli, the nematode’s neurons signal via TGFβ-insulin/IGF1 relay to target tissues that they need not induce catalases and other hydrogen-peroxide defenses. This adaptive strategy is the first example of a multicellular organism modulating its defenses when it expects to freeload from the protection provided by molecularly orthologous defenses from another species.

Please join via Zoom: https://uci.zoom.us/j/91254995926?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 912 5499 5926
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Elizabeth Head, MA, PhD
2021-04-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Alzheimer Disease in Down Syndrome: Cerebrovascular and Neuroinflammation Contributions
Please join the UCI Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in a virtual seminar with Dr. Elizabeth Head, from the UCI School of Medicine.

Free to attend. Registration required.
Click here for more information.

Sleep to feel, to think, and to remember
2021-04-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
We spend nearly one-third of our lives asleep. Despite its universal nature and apparent necessity, why we sleep remains largely a mystery. Sleep to feel, to think, and to remember is a virtual panel discussion featuring three UCI experts studying how sleep affects our emotions and the way we think, and how stress impacts a good night’s rest. This event will spark exciting conversations and provide a fun interactive experience with both early-career and established UCI scientists. We hope you will be able to join us!
To register, please visit: https://cnlm.uci.edu/ambassadors/

NextGen Epilepsy Seminars – Young Kim, PhD
2021-04-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Irvine, CA, 92697, United States
Young Kim, PhD, a postdoc in Robert Hunt’s lab at UC Irvine, will present her latest epilepsy-related research. This event is part of the NextGen Epilepsy Seminar Series which features postdocs and graduate students. This event is sponsored by the Epilepsy Research Center and the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology.
