By Shavantay Minnis
More than 1,000 people attended the fifth annual FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute’s “Brainy Days“ — a month long, annual celebration of neuroscience featuring invited speakers and events designed to engage, empower and educate about brain diseases and disorders.
Sponsored by Palm Health Foundation, this year’s series included topics from the behavior of ravens, to the neurobiology of addiction and one researchers escape from substance abuse to become a leading National Institute of Health-funded addiction neuroscience researcher, to how COVID-19 can have long-term brain and cognitive effects.
“These unique topics allow us to pull back the curtain on the mind and promote brain health,” said Nicole Baganz, Ph.D., assistant director of the FAU Stiles- Nicholson Brain Institute and director of community engagement and programming.
“We’re constantly striving to enhance the public’s view and understanding of brain research. The more we educate our community on brain science, the greater the chances are that individuals will take care of themselves and those around them.”
The program also showcased the family- friendly “Brain Blitz”, an interactive experience at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach, Fla., for guests to learn about brain anatomy, the senses, and neurotransmission using microscopes and virtual reality.
“The Brainy Days program is a fun and effective way for us to bring internationally recognized neuroscientists into our community to speak on hot topics in the field of neuroscience and brain research. We are also very excited this year to begin discussions with Palm Health Foundation on the potential for collaboration in initiatives involving the NeuroArts.”