www.huck.psu.edu/institutes-and-centers/neuroscience-institute">Penn State Neuroscience Institute, through the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and the Penn State College of Medicine, will host the Big Ten Neuroscience Annual Meeting on July 21 and 22 at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College.
The fourth annual meeting will include panel discussions, keynote speeches and poster sessions covering core topics in the neuroscience field and showcasing research from across the country. The symposium will highlight work conducted by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and early career faculty from all 18 Big Ten universities as well as universities in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions.
"The theme for the 2025 annual meeting is WE ARE Building Flourishing Brains, and we're thinking about all the things that lead to the healthiest brain possible," said Nikki Crowley, director of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute at University Park, Huck Early Career Chair in Neurobiology and Neural Engineering and assistant professor of biology and of biomedical engineering. "We are taking a translational perspective of understanding the development of a healthy brain at all stages of life."
Additional events are scheduled throughout the year leading up to the in-person annual meeting, such as monthly Zoom seminars highlighting work across the Big Ten Academic Alliance and partnerships with other units on campus. Penn State kicked off this year-long schedule of neuroscience events in September with seminars from Penn State postdoctoral fellows Laurel Seemiller and Steffy Manjila.
Presentations by Rutgers University and the University of Oregon took place in October and November, respectively. Upcoming presentations are outlined on the Huck website.
"The Big Ten is not only an athletic conference but a collection of 18 outstanding research institutions. Neuroscience research at Big Ten universities has been vital for advancing our understanding of brain health and related disorders," said Patrick Randall, event co-chair and assistant professor of anesthesiology and perioperative medicine and of pharmacology. "These institutions not only undertake groundbreaking studies but also foster collaboration through events like the Big Ten Neuroscience Conference. This annual gathering promotes the exchange of ideas among extremely talented researchers, facilitating innovative approaches to mental health, substance abuse, cognition and neurodegenerative diseases."
According to Krish Sathian, director of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute at the College of Medicine, it is a dynamic time in neuroscience with the convergence of many different approaches.
"This meeting brings together neuroscientists and trainees so that we can learn more about the fantastic work being done at Big Ten institutions and brainstorm how we can collaborate better to address major issues in neuroscience," Sathian said.
Keynote speakers from the neuroscience communities will include Walter Koroshetz, director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke within the National Institutes of Health; Catherine Kaczorowski, Elinor Levine Professor of Dementia Research and professor of neurology, University of Michigan; Koraly Perez-Edgar, McCourtney Professor of Child Studies and professor of psychology and member of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute, Penn State; and Justin Ichida, associate professor of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, University of Southern California.
Two evening events will highlight how neuroscience intersects with various disciplines, including an event at the Palmer Museum of Art and a panel discussion on brain health at the Penn State Pegula Ice Arena. Other planned events throughout the year include working with Teammates for Life, to connect female athletes with scientific experts in their future career fields.
