Brainy Days

Brainy Days celebrates neuroscience with events throughout the month of March to educate and engage the community about the benefits of brain research.

Brainy Days Recap

'Soul of an Octopus'

Sy Montgomery, center, author and naturalist, recently spoke and autographed copies of her book, "The Soul of an Octopus," at the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute.

From left, front, Chelsea Bennice, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and Montgomery; back row, Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., director of community engagement and programming, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Katherine Murphy, CEO National Alliance on Mental Illness for Palm Beach County, Randy Blakely, Ph.D., executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Lindsey White, CDO, Hanley Foundation, and Vassilia Binensztok, Ph.D., owner, Juno Counseling and Wellness.

Walking for Autism

FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute (SNBI) raised more than $1,000 to support autism research, education and service during the annual Autism Speaks Walk in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The SNBI Neurosquad team, which provides hands on neuroscience experiences for youth, walked in partnership with FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities as part of the Brainy Days program.

Brainy Days Finale

The monthlong Brainy Days celebration concluded with an educational event called "When Science Links with the Arts: Research and Alternative Therapies for Parkinson’s and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases.”

Featured speakers included Beth Elgort, Mind, Music and Movement Foundation; Randy, Blakely, Ph.D., executive director, FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; Julie Pilitsis, Ph.D., MD, FAU College of Medicine; and Henriette van Praag, Ph.D., Brain Institute. The event included a special performance by the Voices of Parkinson’s Chorus, as well as movement, dance and meditation demonstrations.

Mind, Music, & Movement Foundation for Neurological Disorders, classes are slated to begin late spring at the Brain Institute. The classes include dance for fluidity, yoga and movement.

FOR THE PUBLIC

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Location	Time	Zoom Recording
Thursday, March 2	Autism Research, Education and Service: Moving the Needle — Right Now, Right Here! Presentations with reception to follow.	Randy Blakely, Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Damon Page, Ph.D., Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology Erin Brooker Lozott, EdD, BCBA-D, CCC-SLP, Els for Autism Foundation^® Kelley C. Bastien, MSW, FAU Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD)	Els Center for Excellence 18370 Limestone Creek, Road, Jupiter	5 – 7 p.m.	Coming soon
Sunday, March 5	Autism Speaks Walk	NeuroSquad In partnership with FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities	Meyer Amphitheatre 104 Datura St., West Palm Beach, FL 33401	9 a.m. Registration, 10 a.m. Walk
Friday, March 17	Reality+: Virtual Reality and the Puzzling Nature of Existence	David Chalmers, Ph.D., Departments of Philosophy and Neural Science, NYU Center for Mind, Brain and Consciousness	Osher Lifelong Learning Freiburg Auditorium, FAU Campus, Boca Raton	3:15 – 4:30 p.m.	Coming soon
Saturday, March 18	*The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness Lecture, reception and book signing	Sy Montgomery, Naturalist and Author	FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute FAU MacArthur Campus, Jupiter	7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 25	*BrainBlitz!* Hands on Brain Fun	NeuroSquad In partnership with the Cox Science Center and Aquarium	Cox Science Center and Aquarium 4801 Dreher Trail N., West Palm Beach	10 a.m. – 2 p.m.	Coming Soon!
Monday, March 27	*When Science Links with the Arts: Research and Alternative Therapies for Parkinson’s and other Neurodegenerative Diseases* Lecture with reception at Brain Institute to follow	Beth Elgort, CSW, Mind, Music and Movement Foundation Randy Blakely, Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Julie Pilitsis, M.D., Ph.D., MBA, FAU College of Medicine Henriette van Praag, Ph.D., FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Voices of Parkinson's Chorus, Movement, Dance and Meditation	Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 5353 Parkside Dr., Jupiter	5 – 7:30 p.m.

Note: All programs free and open to the public except for the March 17 lecture by David Chalmers: tickets: $25

* Offered In conjunction with MindFest: Grand Opening of the Center for the Future Mind,
FAU Boca Raton Campus | March 16-17

Program Sponsor:

Event Sponsors: logos of our sponsors

LEARN MORE:| BI-outreach@fau.edu |561.799.8100

Brainy Days 2022

Brainy Days—A Celebration of Neuroscience 2022

FOR THE PUBLIC

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Location	Time	Zoom link
Monday, February 28	“Never Enough: Personal and research experiences of drug addiction”	Judith Grisel, Ph.D.	AD room 119 and reception area. Parking in Lot 73	4 p.m. talk followed by book signing	Watch here
Sunday, March 6	Autism Speaks Walk	NeuroSquad	Meyer Amphitheatre, 105 Evernia Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401	9 a.m. Registration, 10 a.m. Walk
Tuesday, March 15	“Gifts of the Crow”	John Marzluff, Ph.D.	Spanish River Library, Boca Raton	6 p.m. talk followed by book signing	Watch here
Saturday, March 19	Brain Blitz! (Neuroscience fun for kids)	NeuroSquad	Cox Science Center and Aquarium	10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23	"COVID – In It for the Long Haul? How Immune Responses Impact the Brain and Mind”	Ning Quan, Ph.D.	Osher Lifelong Learning Institute	4 - 5:30 p.m.
Friday, March 25	Diversity in Science Festival	NeuroSquad and NSO	Boca breezeway	12 - 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 31	“The Past, Present, and Future of Alzheimer’s Prevention”	Richard Isaacson, M.D.	Spanish River Library, Boca Raton	6 - 7:30 p.m. followed by question and answer session

Program Sponsor:

Event Sponsors: logos of our sponsors

Brainy Days 2021

Brainy Days—A Celebration of Neuroscience 2021

FOR THE PUBLIC

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Time
March 2	How Dogs Love Us: Insights from Brain Imaging	Gregory Berns, Ph.D., professor, Department of Psychology Emory University. Hosted by Cheryl A. Krause-Parello, Ph.D., R.N., professor, FAU Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and director of Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors® (C-P.A.W.W.).	4 - 5:30 P.M.
March 4	Brains, Minds, and Aliens: The Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence and its Relevance to Brain Science	Jill Tarter, Ph.D. Emeritus Chair for SETI Research, SETI Institute, Elan Barenholtz, Ph.D., Co-Director, FAU Machine Perception and Cognitive Robotics Lab, hosted by Susan Schneider, Ph.D.. Professor of Philosophy and Director, FAU Center for the Future Mind.	6 - 7:30 P.M.
March 9	New Insights into Mechanisms and Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease	Allan Levey, Ph.D., chair, Department of Neurology and director of the Alzheimer’s Research Center, Emory University. Sponsored by Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Jupiter.	1 - 2:15 P.M.
March 11	Brains on Trial: What Brain Science Tells Us About the Origins and Limits of Responsibility	BJ Casey, Ph.D., director, Fundamentals of the Adolescent Brain Lab, Yale University; Josh Buckholtz, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Psychology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University; Carey Haughwout, public defender, Palm Beach County, and Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, presiding county court judge, Misdemeanor Mental Health Court, 17th Judicial Circuit, Broward County. Hosted by Wendy Guastaferro, Ph.D., interim director and associate professor, FAU School of of Criminology and Criminal Justice.	9 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
March 19	The Mighty Worm: Nobel Prize Powerhouse for the Study of Neurodegenerative Disease	Randy Blakely, Ph.D., professor, Biomedical Science, FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and executive director, FAU Brain Institute, and Peter Rodriguez, graduate student, FAU’s Integrative Biology Ph.D. program. Hosted by Becky Mercer, Ph.D., associate dean, Academic Affairs, Palm Beach State College.	1 - 2:15 P.M.
March 23	Brain Gains for Mental Illness: Progress for Science and Society	Audrey Gruss, founder and chairman, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, and Susan G. Amara, Ph.D., scientific director, National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).	6 - 7:30 P.M.
March 27	Brain Blitz: Neuroscience Fun for Kids	Hosted by the ASCEND Program at FAU and South Florida Science Center	9 A.M. - 12 P.M.

Program Sponsor:

Event Sponsors: logos of our sponsors

Brainy Days 2020

Brainy Days—A Celebration of Neuroscience 2020

FOR THE PUBLIC

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Locations	Time
March 1	Autism Speaks Walk	Neurosquad	Meyer Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach	9 A.M.-1 P.M.
March 5	Champions of Illusion: Brain Science Insights into Magical Trickery	Stephen Macknik, Ph.D., SUNY Downstate Medical Center	Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), Jupiter Campus	12-1:30 P.M. with Reception and Book Signing *RSVP Requested
POSTPONED	Engaging Brains: Internship Fair for FAU Undergraduates	FAU Brain Institute & Community Health Organizations
POSTPONED	Never Enough: Personal and Research Experiences with Addiction	Judith Grisel, Ph.D., Bucknell University
POSTPONED	Brain Blitz: Hands-on Brain Science for Kids	Hosted by NeuroSquad
POSTPONED	Brains on Trial: What Brain Science Tells Us About the Origins and Limits of Responsibility	BJ Casey, Ph.D., Sackler Institute Yale University Josh Buckholtz, Ph.D. Harvard University Carey Haughwout, Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit, PBC Ginger Lerner-Wren, Judge, Broward County Mental Health Court

FOR FAU SCIENTISTS, STUDENTS AND STAFF

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Locations	Time
March 4	OBServ: An Optogenetic Brain System for Restoration of Sight for the Blind	Stephen Macknik, Ph.D., SUNY Downstate Medical Center	Elmore Auditorium, Max Planck Florida Institute, 1 Max Planck Way, Jupiter, FL	11 A.M. (Research Seminar for Scientists)
March 6	Brains and Bites: Insights into Mechanisms of Huntington’s Disease	Jenny Wei, Ph.D., College of Medicine, FAU	College of Medicine, BC 71, Rm 123, Boca Raton Campus	12-1 P.M., Food Provided, *RSVP Requested
March 11	Lunch and Learn about Autism with Faculty and Students of the Els Center for Excellence	Els Center for Excellence	MC 17, Rm 119, Jupiter Campus	12-1:30 P.M., followed by Reception and Book Signing * RSVP requested
POSTPONED	Brains and Bites: Drug Effects Across Generations	Lucia Carvelli, Ph.D., FAU Honors College
POSTPONED	Brainy Days Scientific Keynote: Novel Signaling Pathways Supporting Amphetamine Action	Susan G. Amara, Ph.D., Scientific Director, NIMH, NIH
POSTPONED	Brains and Bites: Algal Neurotoxins in the Water	Sarah Milton, Ph.D.. College of Science, FAU
POSTPONED	Sex Differences in The Causes And Consequences Of Alcohol Exposure In Mice	Judith Grisel, Ph.D., Bucknell University

Brainy Days 2019

Brainy Days—A Celebration of Neuroscience 2019

"Brainy Days" celebrates neuroscience with events throughout the month of March to educate and engage our community about the benefits of brain research. Here is our event listing for 2019 "Brainy Days".

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Locations	Time
Friday, March 1	Alzheimer's Disease: The Road to Effective Treatment	Dr. Lary Walker, Emory University	Raso Education Center Clarke Auditorium Jupiter Medical Center	5 PM-6 PM, Reception to Follow
Sunday, March 3	Autism Speaks Walk	Neurosquad	Meyer Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach	8 AM-1 PM
Friday, March 8	Brains and Bites "Running for New Brain Cells"	Dr. Henriette van Praag	MC-17, Room 119, FAU Jupiter Campus	12 PM-1 PM
Saturday, March 9	"Beacons of Hope" Substance Abuse Disorders (SUD) Talks Purchase tickets here.	Multi-Speaker Program	FAU University Theatre FAU Boca Campus	3 PM-5:30 PM
Monday, March 11	"Do the Bugs in your Belly Control your Brain?"	Dr. Kara Margolis Columbia University	FAU College of Medicine, Boca Raton campus, Room 126	6 PM-7 PM, Reception to Follow
Thursday, March 14	Engaging Brains: Community Brain Health Internship Fair	FAU Brain Institute & Community Health Organizations	Breezeway FAU Boca Raton Campus, TBD	10 AM-2 PM
Tuesday, March 19	Violence Summit, School of Social Work FAU College of Design and Social Inquiry "Understanding Violence from Neuroscience Research to Community Practice"	Multi-Speaker Program	Great Hall, FAU Alumni Center, Boca campus	8:45 AM-4 PM
Tuesday, March 19	Brainy Days Community Keynote Lecture "The Neuroscience of Violence and Compassion: Being Human(e)"	Dr. Jeremy Richman, Avielle Foundation	Osher LLI, Jupiter, FAU Jupiter Campus	4 PM-5:30 PM, Reception to Follow
Friday, March 22	Brains and Bites "Combating the Opioid Epidemic: A Painful Perspective"	Dr. Larry Toll, FAU College of Medicine	College of Medicine, Boca Raton campus, Room 130, Building BC71	12 PM-1 PM
Tuesday, March 26	Brainy Days Neuroscience Keynote Lecture: "The Importance of Activity—Skirball Institute, NYU Max Planck Reception Dependent Gene Regulation"	Dr. Moses Chao, Skirball Institute, NYU	Elmore Auditorium, Max Planck Florida Institute	4 PM-5 PM
Friday, March 29	Brains and Bites "Robo-psychology: What can the rise of artificial intelligence teach us about real brains?"	Dr. Elan Barenholtz, FAU College of Science	Physical Science (PS) Building Room 226	12 PM-1 PM
Friday, March 29	Autism talks "Transformative Autism Research and Education"	Multi-Speaker Program	Els Center of Excellence, Jupiter, FL	4 PM-5:30 PM, Reception to Follow
Saturday, March 30	Brain Blitz Hands-on Brain Science for Kids	Neurosquad	South Florida Science Center & Aquarium	10 AM-2 PM

Brainy Days 2018

Brainy Days—A Celebration of Neuroscience 2018

For Our Community:

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Locations	Time
Friday, Mar. 2, 2018	Brains & Bites, "Brain Health: From Childhood into Adulthood" Refreshments provided, RSVP to BIoutreach@fau.edu	Nicole Baganz, Ph.D.	College of Medicine, Rm 130, Boca Campus	12-1pm
Sunday, Mar. 4, 2018	Palm Beach Autism Speaks Walk	FAU Brain Institute's Neurosquad	Meyer Amphitheatre, West Palm Beach	9am Registration & 10:30am Walk
Thursday, Mar. 15, 2018	Engaging Brains: Opportunities in Brain Education and Health	Neuroscience Student Organization (NSO)	SE Building, first floor foyer, Boca Campus	10am-2pm
Monday, Mar. 19, 2018	"The Opioid Crisis" www.fau.edu/osherjupiter/	Lynn Hankes, Ph.D.	PC151, Osher LLI, Jupiter Campus	12-1:30pm
Monday, Mar. 19, 2018	"Scientists Tackling the Opioid Crisis" immediately following "The Opioid Crisis" www.fau.edu/osherjupiter/	Laura Bohn, Ph.D., Larry Toll, Ph.D., Janet Robishaw, Ph.D.	PC151, Osher LLI, Jupiter Campus	1:45-3pm
Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2018	"Is it a Quirk or a Personality Disorder?" www.fau.edu/osherjupiter/	Bert Diament, Ph.D.	Osher LLI Auditorium, Jupiter Campus	7-8:30pm
Friday Mar. 23, 2018	Brains & Bites, "Can a Mouse have ADHD, and How Would We Know if it Did?" Refreshments provided, RSVP to BIoutreach@fau.edu	Randy Blakely, Ph.D.	College of Science, Rm TBA, Boca Campus	12-1 pm
Wednesday, Mar. 28, 2018	Illuminating Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia	Melissa E. Murray, Ph.D., Jim Galvin, Ph.D.	AD119, Wilkes Honors College, Jupiter Campus	2-3 pm
Friday, Mar. 30, 2018	Brains and Bites, "What is Different about the Autistic Brain, and Can we Treat it?" Refreshments provided, RSVP to BIoutreach@fau.edu	Gavin Rumbaugh, Ph.D.	PC151, Osher LLI, Jupiter Campus	12-1pm
Saturday, Mar. 31, 2018	"Brain Blitz" hands-on brain fun for kids.	FAU Brain Institute, ASCEND Program	South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, Stiles-Nicolson STEM Education Center, West Palm Beach	10am–2pm

For Neuroscientists:

Dates	Event	Speaker or Host	Locations	Time
Thursday, Mar. 1, 2018	Special Neuroscience Seminar, "Of Mice and Men…and Worms: Regulators of Neuronal Plasticity and Neurodegeneration"	Aism Beg, Ph.D.	MC17, Rm 119, Jupiter Campus	12-1pm
Tuesday, Mar. 6, 2018	Tri-institutional Postdoc Symposium (TIPS)	Audrey Bonnan, Ph.D., Nathaniel Noyes, Ph.D.	MC17, Rm 119, Jupiter Campus	4-5pm
Friday, Mar. 9, 2018	Brainy Days Keynote Lecture, "Receptors, Synapses and Memories"	Richard Huganir, Ph.D.	Scripps Fink Auditorium, Jupiter Campus	4pm
Tuesday, March 13, 2018	FAU Neuroscience Seminar, "MMP-9, an Extracellular Protease at the Synapse: Linking Brain to Mind"	Leszek Kaczmarek , Ph.D.	MC17, Rm 119, Jupiter Campus	4pm
Tuesday, Mar. 20, 2018	FAU Neuroscience Seminar, "Network Inhibition Hypothesis: Depressed Subcortical Function in Seizures"	Hal Blumenfeld, Ph.D.	College of Medicine, BC-17, Rm126, Boca Campus	4-5pm
Tuesday, Mar. 30, 2018	College of Medicine Distinguished Lecture Series, "A Novel Cognitive Stress Test, Brain Biomarkers and Early Detection of Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease"	David Loewenstein, Ph.D.	College of Medicine, Rm 130, Boca Campus	4pm

*For more information or to RSVP, contact Nicole Baganz, Ph.D. at BIoutreach@fau.edu or 561.799.8559.

Contact us

MAIN OFFICE

Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

Jupiter Campus

Room 201F, MC-22
5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458
Phone: 561.799.8100

EDUCATION OFFICE

Florida Atlantic Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute

Boca Raton Campus

Room 103A, SE-43
777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Phone: 561.297.4989