By Michelle Jaffee; Photos by Jackie Hart
The McKnight Brain Institute’s research community turned out in force Tuesday for the 10th William G. Luttge Lecture in Neuroscience, an event that draws distinguished speakers from across the nation and world.
This year’s speaker Ulman Lindenberger, Ph.D., director of the Center for Lifespan Psychology at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, was introduced by onetime mentee Natalie Ebner, Ph.D., now an associate director of UF’s Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory Clinical Translational Research.
“I had the huge privilege to work with Ulman directly as my mentor during my postdoctoral training, and I learned firsthand from his extensive knowledge base, creativity and scientific rigor,” Ebner told a full house of over 170 UF faculty members, trainees, students and staff gathered in the Harrell Medical Education Building.
Among attendees were Michaelyn and Will Luttge, widow and elder son of the late visionary neuroscientist William G. “Bill” Luttge, Ph.D., founding director of the McKnight Brain Institute for whom the Luttge Lecture is named. The McKnight Brain Research Foundation established and sponsors the annual lectureship.
“I’m thrilled to be able to say today that Bill’s vision — bringing together scientists and clinicians from across campus to a hub of high-caliber-impact research — has not only been realized but is truly thriving,” said MBI Director Jennifer Bizon, Ph.D. “Our scientists are making strides in unraveling diseases and disorders of the brain and furthering our fundamental understanding of the nervous system, from molecules to behavior.”
Lindenberger’s presentation, “A Lifespan Perspective on Human Cognitive Aging,” explored factors such as education, mental stimulation and aerobic exercise in relation to age-related changes in thinking, learning and memory.
Quoting from one of his publications, he said, “Longitudinal studies suggest that leading an intellectually challenging, physically active and socially engaged life may mitigate losses and consolidate gains.”
