2012 Presentations
2012 Speakers
Michael Drew, PhD
“Young cells for an old brain: new evidence about the brain’s ability to renew itself”
Dr. Drew, an Assistant Professor in the Section of Neurobiology at The University of Texas, is interested in understanding the role of adult neurogenesis, which is the birth of new neurons in the adult brain. In the 1980s and 1990s a small group of neuroscientists overturned firmly established conventional wisdom when they demonstrated that the adult mammalian brain can generate new nerve cells. We now know that adult neurogenesis occurs in some regions of the human brain and is regulated by everyday behaviors, like exercise, cognitive activity, and the use of some commonly prescribed drugs. Dr. Drew will discuss how scientists discovered this phenomenon after having overlooked it for so long and how adult neurogenesis may relate to memory, aging, and disease.
Laura Colgin, PhD
“EEG Rhythms: The Symphony of the Brain”
Dr. Colgin, an Assistant Professor in the Section of Neurobiology at The University of Texas, focuses on understanding how brain rhythms that are generated by synchronized activity across groups of neurons are involved in complex cognitive functions. She will discuss how the electroencephalogram (EEG) was discovered and how EEG rhythms are generated in the brain. In addition, she will talk about different classes of synchronized EEG activity (”rhythms”) and relate what is known about their behavioral correlates and proposed functions, as well as provide examples of practical applications of EEG research in learning and memory.
Ila Fiete, PhD
“What do satellite communications and the brain have in common?”
Dr. Fiete, an Assistant Professor in the Section of Neurobiology at The University of Texas, focuses on understanding mammalian memory and its underpinnings in neurons, connections, and networks of the brain. She will discuss some fundamental limitations on memory and computation in the brain, how the brain allows us to perform spatial navigation, and what modern wireless and satellite communication technologies have in common with the brain.
2012 Activity & Demonstration Booths
Making Decisions – Poldrack Laboratory
Learn About Neurons – Johnston Laboratory
Test Your Working Memory – Mauk Laboratory
Finding Sounds in Your Brain – Golding Laboratory
Synapse Structure Matters for Memory – Harris Laboratory
See Neurons in the Brain – Nishiyama Laboratory
Test Your Memory – Preston Laboratory
Navigation in the Brain – Fiete Laboratory
Visualizing Adult-Born Neurons – Drew Laboratory
Protein Synthesis and Neurons – Raab-Graham Laboratory
Drug Screening for Alzheimer’s Disease – Pierce-Shimomura Laboratory
