By Todd Taylor; Photos by Jackie Hart
In a bustling atrium, UF neuroscience researchers across all career stages explored nearly 100 posters, covering topics ranging from preclinical mouse studies into social behavior to surgical outcomes in the OR.
While it was just one portion of The North Central Florida Society for Neuroscience’s daylong chapter conference on Feb. 7, the poster session captured the spirit of the 15th annual event, which was attended by some 200 faculty members and students.
“The biggest takeaway is how engaged the neuroscience community is at UF,” said conference vice chair Jessica Shubin. “This conference is a testament to UF neuroscience bringing together faculty, students, centers, and institutes to tackle the complex challenges of our research.”
In addition to the poster session, the conference at UF’s HPNP Building, included a data blitz, panel discussion, and keynote address by Aaron Wilber, Ph.D., of Florida State University.
“Being the only student-run SfN chapter to organize an event of this scale highlights the dedication, initiative, and passion of our members,” said Sarah Sniffen, president of the North Central Florida SfN chapter. “It also reflects the strong support and engagement within our neuroscience community.”
The panel discussion covered transitioning roles in science and included the following speakers:
- Michelle Bedenbaugh, Ph.D., an assistant professor of neuroscience
- Adithya Gopinath, Ph.D., an MBI Gator NeuroScholar
- Jada Lewis, Ph.D., chair of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Physiological Sciences and a former MBI deputy director
- Maria Ramirez, a doctoral student in the lab of Dan Wesson, Ph.D.
Wilber’s keynote address, “A parietal-hippocampal network for figuring out where you are and what to do next” delved into his work as the Dorothy Crooker-Steves Professor of Memory at FSU.
“We were incredibly grateful to have Dr. Wilber present his work on spatial learning and memory,” said Lexi Riley-DiPaolo, chair of the conference. “Connections like these exemplify our vision for the future of the chapter — building networks across North Central Florida universities.”
The conference was sponsored by the MBI; UF’s BRAIN Center, BREATHE Center, CARE, CAM Center, CTRND, and Florida Chemical Sciences Institute; and UF College of Medicine’s Department of Neuroscience and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
Poster winners were:
- Addiction: Alexandra Sanchez
- Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, & Neuroresilience: Lloyd Wagner
- Physiology and Breathing: Sarah Lovett
- Neurodegeneration: Jose Torrellas
- Cognitive Aging and Memory: Ann Titus
- Chemosensory Neuroscience: Dimitri Brunelle
- Pharmacology: Sophia Iaconis
- Top Undergraduate Student: Devon Borg
- Top Graduate Student: Maria Ramirez
- Top Postdoctoral Researcher: Anna Farmer, Ph.D.
