The McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida e-newsletter

                                                                            Issue 31, Summer 2023

Q&A with new MBI Director
Dr. Jennifer Bizon

Dr. Jennifer Bizon, named MBI director on Feb. 13, discusses her new role, hopes for the institute's future, research interests and more.

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four doctors standing in a hallway

UF to lead national trial testing nerve block as opioid-sparing treatment for severe headache after burst brain aneurysm

(L-R) Drs. Brian Hoh, Carolina Maciel, Katharina Busl and Cameron Smith team up on $12.9 million grant.

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Doctor prokop and a lab assistant dissecting a brain

Expanded UF brain bank offers new resources for neuroscience researchers

Vast collection of brain and tissue samples will aid in studies to advance understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

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new scanner

AMRIS adds 7 Tesla MRI/MRS preclinical scanner

Scanner housed at UF’s Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Facility will bolster research efforts across campus.

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m-r-i in a peaceful, high-tech looking room

Fixel Institute expands care with new neuroimaging suites

UF clinicians and researchers will have access to two 3 Tesla MRIs, a PET-CT machine and a magnetoencephalography (MEG) scanner.

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Joseph Gullett in his office

Study uses AI in effort to predict who may benefit from cognitive training as possible way to stave off dementia

Dr. Joseph Gullett to lead study using brain imaging and AI tools to establish the effectiveness of an at-home cognitive training program.

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doctor emily fox in action during a medical appointment

Dr. Emily Fox selected as director of the Brooks/UF-PHHP Research Collaboration

Collaboration will create a model for joint research between an academic center and a rehabilitation-centric health care system.

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doctors jeb justice and steve munger

UF neuroscientists help launch effort to consider universal chemosensory testing

NIH grant supported conference to consider routine monitoring of smell and taste throughout life as part of health care.

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Elias Sayour at a discussion table

Leading brain tumor experts meet for ReMission Summit 2023

Fifth annual ReMission Summit brought together top brain tumor researchers and clinicians to advance new treatments.

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congrats winners!

Lewy body dementia grant winners announced

Funds will help launch pilot studies to conduct pre-clinical research to improve the detection, diagnosis and treatment of Lewy body dementia.

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MBI Feature Series

graphic reading: "Rising Stars at the McKnight Brain Institute"

MBI Rising Stars: Jessica Kraft

Jessica Kraft is the latest investigator to be featured in MBI Rising Stars, a video series highlighting up-and-coming neuroscience researchers at the University of Florida.

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University of Florida Women of Neuro

Our UF Women of Neuro series shines light on some of the incredible women leading our neuroscience and neuromedicine research initiatives. In this issue, we're featuring Dr. Catherine Flores, principal investigator of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Engineering Lab, and Dr. Natalie Ebner, principal investigator of the Social-Cognitive and Affective Development LabSEE MORE UF WOMEN OF NEURO»

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McKnight Brain Institute Behind the Scenes. Now highlighting John May

Behind the Scenes with John May

We’re highlighting an employee who plays a key role in construction projects happening at the MBI.

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Mitchell AAP web post

Dr. Duane Mitchell elected to Association of American Physicians

Induction honors physicians with outstanding credentials in basic or translational biomedical research.

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Michael Okun standing in front of the M-B-I with an award

MBI members honored during College of Medicine spring assembly

Drs. Michael Okun (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Anthony Yachnis (collegewide Clinical Excellence Award) among researchers recognized.

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Doctors Lori Knackstedt, Jada Lewis, Carol Mathews, Matthew Merritt, Rachael Seidler and Eric Wang

Six MBI members named UF Research Foundation Professors

Drs. Lori Knackstedt, Jada Lewis, Carol Mathews, Matthew Merritt, Rachael Seidler and Eric Wang named UFRF Professors.

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abisambra

UF neuroscientist co-chairs AAIC Neuroscience Next

Dr. Joe Abisambra co-chaired Alzheimer’s Association International Conference Neuroscience Next.

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Hoh_Kahn slider

MBI researchers in the spotlight

Journalists regularly reach out to our MBI members for their expertise on many subjects. If a reporter contacts you, please alert assistant director of communications Todd Taylor or science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee so we can assist with, archive and promote your media endeavors. Here are recent examples of MBI researchers in the news:

• Dr. Irene Malaty, Dr. Bruce Solomon and Carley Rusch (Brain & Life Magazine)Nine ways to prevent malnutrition

• Drs. Katharina Busl, Carolina Maciel, Brian Hoh and Cameron Smith (WUFT The Point Podcast)A potential solution to a horrific headache

• Dr. Michael Okun (HealthDay News)Race could matter when it comes to Parkinson’s severity

SEE MORE EXAMPLES OF MBI RESEARCHERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT»

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Check out these recent Conversation piece written by MBI members:

• Dr. Habibeh Khoshbouei Misuse of Adderall promotes stigma and mistrust for patients who need it

• Dr. John B. Williamson  — When does clinical depression become an emergency?

• Dr. Gary Reisfield — Can eating poppy seeds affect drug test results?

• Dr. Sara Burke — Ultraprocessed foods — like cookies, chips, frozen meals and fast food — may contribute to cognitive decline

The Conversation is a nonprofit, independent news organization publishing trustworthy and informative articles written by academic experts for the general public and edited by a team of journalists. The Conversation reaches 5 million-plus unique readers monthly and then the articles go farther, often picked up by major outlets such as The Washington Post, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine and the Chicago Tribune.

Contact science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee or assistant director of communications Todd Taylor with your ideas for The Conversation.

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Highlight your work with MBI’s Research Snapshots

Showcase your discovery by pairing an impactful image from your latest published research with a written description of your findings. Share with our MBI communications team and work together to convey how this research has influenced your field of study.

Drs. Vivekananda Budamagunta & Thomas Foster reported that removal of senescent cells beginning in a middle-aged rat model and extending to old age led to reduced systemic inflammation and lessened cognitive decline. Read the Snapshot »

Elizabeth Chapman & Dr. Carol Mathews found evidence of alterations in one of the earliest stages of visual processing in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Read the Snapshot »

Drs. Joshua Wong & Leonardo Almeida show that a form of deep brain stimulation called biphasic DBS was safe and well tolerated and may provide faster improvement of symptoms in patients with primary dystonia. Read the Snapshot »

READ MORE SNAPSHOTS AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN »

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Reminders from the Communications Team

Please become an MBI member (if you haven’t already), make sure you have a professional headshot, update your UF Health Directory profile and let our communications team know early and often when you have big news or research coming out of your area. All of these efforts will help us shine an even brighter light on neuro research at UF.

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