IUPUI

INDIANAPOLIS -- The upcoming meeting of the Indianapolis chapter for the Society for Neuroscience will include a one-day conference highlighting the latest advances in neuroscience across Indiana and the opportunity for student researchers to represent the local chapter at the national meeting in San Diego.

The annual meeting, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 in Hine Hall on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus, will feature several prominent speakers, two short research sessions and a poster presentation for students. The deadline to submit research abstracts is Sept. 28.

The meeting has grown steadily in the past few years as neuroscience has received emphasis in treatment, education and research in Indiana. Renowned scientists from the School of Science at IUPUI, Indiana University, Purdue University, the IU School of Medicine, the Stark Neuroscience Research Institute and other organizations prominent in the field will use the meeting as a chance to showcase the growing role and impact of local research efforts.

“This meeting will serve as another example of the growth of the neuroscience community in Indiana and the enthusiasm and opportunities that have come along with that,” said Christopher Lapish, assistant professor of psychology in the School of Science at IUPUI.

Lapish; Phil Johnson, assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology in the IU School of Medicine; and Karmen Yoder, associate professor of radiology and imaging in the IU School of Medicine, are co-organizers of the meeting. The focus this year was to “showcase the breadth and depth of the local neuroscience community” and also provide an outlet for students to present their research, Yoder said.

“In a time when funding is tight, being able to go to a national meeting for neuroscience research is not always a forgone conclusion anymore,” Yoder added. “We’re excited we have the capacity and mechanism now to offer travel awards to the best student researchers and help them present their research on a national stage in San Diego" Nov. 9 to 13.

Included among the keynote speakers for the event are:

• Tom McAllister, chair of the Department of Psychiatry in the IU School of Medicine
• Rueben Gonzales, professor at the University of Texas-Austin and an internationally recognized neuroscience expert
• Xiao-Ming Xu, scientific director of the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group at the Stark Neuroscience Research Institute.

The School of Science offers undergraduates the opportunity to declare a major or minor in neuroscience, one of the fastest growing STEM fields in the country -- especially in Indiana. The Department of Psychology at IUPUI also offers an Addiction Neuroscience graduate program.

“The collaborative environment in the School of Science as well as the strong partnerships with area research centers and hospitals leaves IUPUI and Indianapolis well positioned to have a major impact on neuroscience research and education moving forward,” Lapish said.

“We want faculty and students to have the opportunity to update their colleagues on current neuroscience research and identify opportunities to establish even more potential collaborations,” Lapish said.

Abstract submissions and questions can be directed to indysfn@iupui.edu.

About the School of Science at IUPUI

The School of Science is committed to excellence in teaching, research and service in the biological, physical, behavioral and mathematical sciences. The school is dedicated to being a leading resource for interdisciplinary research and science education in support of Indiana's effort to expand and diversify its economy.

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