Interactive Events Give You Something to Think About: Brain Awareness Week Continues Mar. 23

In celebration of national Brain Awareness Week, the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences will host a variety of events and interactive expos at NSU. These events are free and open to the NSU community.

 The following themed days will include demonstrations outside of the Parker Building, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a lecture in the Parker Building, room 123, from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Monday, Mar. 21—Evolution Day
Demonstration: Learn about the human evolutionary timeline, participate in psychological tasks on the development of the mind, and learn why you selected the mate you did (or will).

Lecture: “Human Brain Evolution” by Glenn Scheyd, Ph.D., assistant professor and assistant director of the college’s Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. It is a myth that humans evolved from monkeys. It is a fact, however, that we are descended from earlier non-human primate species. This lecture summarizes what we have learned about the evolution of the modern human brain (particularly from the fossil record) and what we hypothesize, from our knowledge of ancestral environments, caused the evolution of modern human intelligence.

Tuesday, Mar. 22—Neuroanatomy Day
Demonstrations: Experience what a real brain feels like. Explore your visual and auditory systems through hands-on activities and models.

Lecture: “Harnessing the Power of Stem Cells to Treat Diseases of the Brain” by James Munoz, Ph.D., assistant professor. Learn how stem cells are being used as replacement cells and tissues in treating brain diseases and injury.

Later that day, from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium, the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Division of Math, Science, and Technology will present a faculty panel on careers in neuroscience. Faculty members will discuss their career paths and how they became scientists. Participants include Leanne Boucher, Ph.D., assistant professor; James Munoz, Ph.D., assistant professor; and Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., associate professor, in the college.

Wednesday, Mar. 23—Mental Health and Disorders Day
Demonstrations: Witness a live recording of the brain’s electrical activity, and learn how depression affects the brain. In addition, learn about acupuncture and massage therapy for the treatment of depression.

Lecture: “Depression: Is It All in Your Head?” by Mercedes Fernandez, Ph.D., associate professor. Learn about non-medicinal treatments for depression.

Thursday, Mar. 24—Sensation and Perception Day
Demonstrations: See, feel, taste, hear, and smell your world. Participants will have the opportunity to witness several perceptual illusions, learn what makes food taste good, understand the inner workings of the ear and eye, and enjoy a massage.
Note: There will be no lecture on March 24.

Friday, Mar. 25—Sleep Day
Demonstrations: See how the electrical activity of the brain changes during different states of arousal. A live electroencephalographic (EEG) demonstration will show how electrical activity recorded on the scalp can measure wake and sleep states in humans. There will also be poster presentations on sleep and dreams featuring research from NSU undergraduate students.

Lecture: “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This: Studying Sleep” by Jaime Tartar, Ph.D., associate professor. Learn what happens to our brains during sleep, during sleep disorders, and when we don’t get enough sleep.

For more information on these Brain Awareness Week events, contact Leanne Boucher, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, at 954-262-8469.