The Brainstorm: March 2025

March 2025

Message from the Director, Dr. Jen Bizon

I'd like to start with a big congratulations to all of our investigators in UF's departments of neuroscience, neurology and neurosurgery who contributed to our No. 2 ranking among public universities in NIH funding. These funds are crucial to our mission to enhance lives through neuroscience research and education.

I'd also like to thank everyone who supported our Gator Nation Giving Day campaign. Whether you amplified our messages, told a friend or neighbor about us, or donated yourself ... we appreciate your efforts.

Once again, our North Central Florida Society for Neuroscience students put on an amazing conference, featuring nearly 100 posters and attracting some 200 registrants. We celebrate their achievements!

Keep reading this edition of The Brainstorm to learn more about our NIH rankings, the SfN conference, innovative research by our members and much more.

UF Neuro research No. 2 in NIH funding

Neuroscience/neurology and neurosurgery research at the University of Florida ranked No. 2 in NIH funding among all public universities in the U.S.

MBI Researcher Highlight: Paramita Chakrabarty

Dr. Paramita Chakrabarty investigates the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s.

Fast-paced visual blitz engages MBI community

MBI researchers presented dynamic and wide-ranging snapshots of the latest in neuro research at the MBI's “One Image, 100 Words.”

Student-run conference attracts 200+ attendees

The North Central Florida Society for Neuroscience’s daylong chapter conference drew some 200 faculty members and students.

Accelerator Program awards $1.1M across 24 research projects

New MBI program intended to spur the success of new extramural applications and foster new collaborations.

Newly identified genetic mutation linked to Alzheimer's

MBI researchers revealed a new piece of the puzzle that could lead to better diagnosis and new treatments.

Mobile stroke unit provides faster care to rural communities

MBI researchers Dr. Anna Khanna and colleagues report that rendezvous approach improves timely stroke care for rural areas by nearly an hour on average.

Join us at 4 p.m. Monday, March 24 for an MBI Virtual Town Hall to learn more about what's happening at the MBI and events and opportunities.

Learn more

MBI adds three Gator NeuroScholars

New postdoctoral fellows will focus on Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Study shows underdiagnosis of Tourette syndrome in girls

Analysis shows that Tourette syndrome is more frequently underdiagnosed or diagnosed later in girls compared with boys. Read more.

Using AI technology as a potential way to help prevent dementia

Dr. Aprinda Indahlastari Queen is using AI technology to study transcranial direct current stimulation as a possible way to prevent dementia. Read more.

MBI researchers earn ABPN roles

Drs. Josepha Cheong and Michael Jaffee earn leadership roles with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Read more.

Researchers collaborate to investigate safe pain relief

New Pain Research and Integrated Neuroscience Center (PRINC) led by Dr. Raj Khanna unites experts across the MBI community. Read more.

MBI Researchers in the Spotlight

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

Psychology Today (Drs. Linda Cottler, Lori Knackstedt & Barry Setlow) — Top 10 addiction research articles of 2024
The Conversation (Dr. Jennifer Applebaum) — D.C. is America's loneliest city. Can 1,000 robotic pets help?
The Economist (Brain Tumor Immunotherapy Program team) — Cancer vaccines are showing promise at last

Check out these recent Conversation pieces written by MBI members:

Dr. Yenisel Cruz-Almeida — Why does it hurt when you get a scrape? A neuroscientist explains the science of pain (Curious Kids series)
Dr. Diego Rincon-Limas — Brain inflammation may be the reason behind muscle fatigue after infection and injury
Drs. Natalie Ebner and Didem Pehlivanoglu — Are older adults more vulnerable to scams?

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 Michelle Jaffee or Todd Taylor with your ideas for The Conversation.

MBI Research Snapshots

Graphic image of a brain with data points placed on top

Drs. Alexandria Marciante, Arash Tadjalli and Gordon S. Mitchell provide insight into mechanisms of plasticity in neurons responsible for breathing, part of research into potential treatment of spinal cord injury, ALS and multiple sclerosis. Read the Snapshot»
Drs. Cheng Tang and Rajesh Khanna report that a new nonopioid compound shows potential to mitigate pain in preclinical animal models and human cells. Read the Snapshot»
Meghan Cum and Dr. Nancy Padilla-Coreano provide insight into the variability of dominance tests and offer guidance to researchers studying how social rank affects the brain and behavior. Read the Snapshot»

Interested in supporting our researchers and clinician-scientists as they work to solve the most pressing challenges in neuroscience and neuromedicine today?

Visit our Giving Page