By Bethany Alex
Almost 700 people tuned into the fourth annual Brainy Days – a series of seven, expert-led virtual workshops offering insight into novel topics in the field of neuroscience hosted by the FAU Stiles- Nicholson Brain Institute and Palm
Health Foundation.
Supplementing the recognition of national Brain Awareness Week (March 14-21, 2021), FAU’s 2021 “Brainy Days: A Celebration of Neuroscience” program provided the community with a month-long series, pulling back the curtain on the mysteries of the mind and promoting brain health and education.
“The diverse and unique programs offered to the community for the 2021 celebration was incredible,” said Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., assistant director for the Brain Institute and director of community engagement and programming. “Our goal is to enhance the public’s understanding of the multi-dimensional aspect of brain research and its benefits. Individual brain health is strongly linked to community health, and through our Brainy Days programs, we can show our community that brain science truly impacts the well-being of everyone.
The programming showcased scientists discussing topics from how to reduce the stigma associated with brain injuries, illnesses and disorders, to what brain imaging tells us about how dogs love us.
Participants also heard from the astronomer who inspired the Jodie Foster character in the movie Contact, joining a philosopher and an expert in artificial intelligence to ponder the search for
Bottom left: Nicole Baganz, Ph.D. and Becky Mercer, Ph.D.
extraterrestrial intelligence and implications for humanity should it be found.
Viewers also heard from an internationally prominent clinical scientist discussing the latest research and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and the scientific director of the National Institute of Mental Health joining a local philanthropist to discuss the critical steps needed to vanquish mental illness.
“It was an extraordinary show of support and beyond,” Baganz said. “This truly was a celebration of neuroscience and an accomplishment that will continue to drive FAU’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s public outreach and community engagement for years to come.”
By the numbers:
Due to the continuing COVID-19 epidemic, for the first time, the Brainy Days presentations were recorded and available at https://www.fau.edu/brain/brainydays/
During the celebration, more than
4,000
people viewed the recordings.
In addition, efforts reached almost
35,000
people across the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram platforms.