As we reflect on the MBI's 25th anniversary, I am filled with gratitude for the incredible turnout and spirit of celebration that marked the occasion. For those who were unable to join us, fear not! You can catch up on all the highlights in this edition of The Brainstorm.

Please take a moment to learn more about our rich history in a short documentary unveiled during our celebration. Additionally, don't miss the opportunity to glimpse our future in a new anthem video showcasing our missions and aspirations. 

In recent news, I am thrilled to share that UF neuroscience and neuromedicine ranked No. 2 for NIH funding among all public universities in the U.S., according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff and trainees.

Keep an eye out for details about upcoming events and updates on our strategic planning process. Here's to a successful spring semester filled with collaboration, innovation, and continued achievements!

Journalists regularly reach out to our MBI members for their expertise on many subjects. If a reporter contacts you, please alert associate 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:

• Forbes (Dr. Melissa Armstrong) — Changing the way doctors talk to patients about dementia
  
• Vox (Dr. Sara Jo Nixon) — Alcohol overuse causes 140,000 American deaths annually. Why is it so undertreated?
  
• The Parkinson's Research Podcast (Dr. Malú Gámez Tansey) — The role of inflammation and immune responses in neuodegeneration
  

• Dr. Andrea Merchak — Bacteria in your gut can improve your mood — new research in mice tries to zero in on the crucial strains
  
• Brian Ho & Dr. Ronald Cohen — Aerobic and strength training exercise combined can be an elixir for better brain health in your 80s and 90s, new study finds
  
• Dr. Steven DeKosky — Alzheimer's disease is partly genetic — studying the genes that delay decline in some may lead to treatments for all
  

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 associate director of communications Todd Taylor with your ideas for The Conversation.

• Drs. Adamantios Mamais and Matthew J. LaVoie revealed insight into mechanisms of how two proteins may accumulate in Parkinson’s, findings that could contribute to developing new therapies. Read the Snapshot»
  
• Drs. Mengfei Bu and Matthew J. Farrer revealed an interaction between proteins encoded by two genes in a mouse model that could accelerate the development of new Parkinson’s medications. Read the Snapshot»
  
• Drs. Rebecca Wallings and Malú Gámez Tansey offer insights into potentially positive and negative effects of changing expression levels of a gene associated with increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Read the Snapshot»