The Brainstorm: Fall 2019

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

Issue 13, Fall 2019

Message from the director, Dr. Todd Golde

Dear Colleagues:

I am continually impressed by the great work you're doing in so many areas of neuroscience research across our UF campus and beyond. While we can’t possibly capture it all in this newsletter, I hope it provides a glimpse into some those achievements and accomplishments over the past few months.

A few quick reminders to assist us in promoting your work:

• Become an MBI member. Click here to sign up, it’s quick and easy.

• Get a professional headshot. This is a free service provided by our UF Health Communications team. Click here and scroll toward the bottom of the page for info.

• Update your UF Health Directory profile. This new approach results in a more accurate digital presence across UF Health platforms and is already being used by many departments in lieu of traditional bio pages. Click here for more info.

• Link with our communications team early and often. If you have a big paper, award, event or other news coming out of your area, let our communications team know ASAP so they can plan the best way to disseminate the news.

Thank you for reading The Brainstorm and for all your contributions. I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Jeremy McIntyre is a rising star at the MBI

MBI Rising Stars: Jeremy McIntyre

Check out our first installment of MBI Rising Stars, highlighting up-and-coming neuroscience researchers at UF.

MBI unveils newly renovated labs

Renovations to the MBI’s ground floor provide investigators access to the most up-to-date state-of-the-art facilities.

UF’s Heavy Hitters of Neuroscience

Drs. Duane Mitchell, Todd Golde, Laura Ranum and Michael Okun are featured on the cover of a recent edition of Florida GATOR Magazine.

UF Health has been named one of four Parkinson’s Foundation Research Centers of Excellence.

UF Health named Parkinson’s Research Center of Excellence

Award will jump start new Parkinson’s disease research projects.

Teaming up to fight pediatric cancer

This new video, broadcast on the Swamp's big screens prior to the Sept. 21 Florida Gators football game, shows how UF and UF Health team up to fight pediatric cancer.

WATCH THE VIDEO »

Noninvasive, automated MRI for Parkinson's diagnosis

Dr. David Vaillancourt led an international study demonstrating that an MRI method can pinpoint various types of Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s-like syndromes.

ReMission Summit draws top experts

See a new video highlighting the UF Health-led ReMission Summit for Brain Tumors, uniting experts from across the U.S. and beyond to advance novel immunotherapies and targeted therapies to treat brain tumors.

Study explores use of near-infrared light technology to improve brain function

Drs. Dawn Bowers and Adam Woods will lead a multi-institutional study of older adults at risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Study uncovers insights into human memory

Dr. Wissam Deeb and research partners revealed new findings that could advance our understanding of human memory.

New study shows modified
T cells enhance effectiveness of immunotherapy in tumors

Dr. Jianping Huang uses a novel approach to halt or even shrink late-stage tumors such as glioblastoma, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.

Classifying concussion by subtypes

Dr. Jay Clugston is an author on a new guideline published in Neurosurgery recommending that concussions be classified into five subtypes.

Research Snapshots

Examining the role of NMDA receptor hypofunction and redox sensitivity of hippocampal synaptic transmission during aging.

UF neuroscientist earns Race Against Dementia Fellowship

Dr. Cara Croft was awarded a prestigious five-year fellowship supporting a collaborative UF-University College London project.

Paramita Chakrabarty, Ph.D., has been appointed by the National Institutes of Health as a member of the Neuroscience of Aging Review Committee of the National Institute on Aging.

Neuroscientist to serve on NIH aging study section

Dr. Paramita Chakrabarty was appointed a member of the Neuroscience of Aging Review Committee.

Researchers earn St. Baldrick's Foundation grants

Drs. Loic Deleyrolle and Elias Sayour received grants from the St. Baldrick's Foundation to advance their brain cancer research.

Scholarship supports next generation of neuroscientists

Boosted by matching funds from the MBI, the Brooks/Hagood scholarship supports young neuroscientists at UF.

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, science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee or UF Health media relations coordinator Rossana Passaniti so we can assist with, archive and promote your media endeavors. Here are recent examples of MBI researchers in the news:

• Dr. Catherine Flores (WCJB TV 20) — 2019 Lemon Ball

• Fear Facers Summer Camp (The Daily, a podcast of The New York Times) — A special episode for kids: The fear facer

• Dr. Malú Tansey (9 News) — Australian clinical trials testing new approach to tackling Alzheimer's disease

• Drs. Leonardo Almeida & Kelly Foote (Suncoast News Network) — Inside PJ's brain

SEE MORE EXAMPLES OF MBI RESEARCHERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT»

Put your work on the national stage

Check out these recent Conversation pieces written by MBI members:

• Dr. Wissam Deeb — Alzheimer's DBS trial evokes vivid memories

• Drs. Steven DeKosky & Todd Golde — Are Alzheimer’s blood tests ready for primetime?

More than 100 UF faculty members have contributed to this online magazine, and it's a great opportunity to highlight your work. 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.

MBI news to share?

Contact assistant director of communications Todd Taylor or science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee.

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