Vermont kicked off 2024 with a bang, marking the 14th annual Neuroscience, Behavior, and Health (NBH) forum, and to say it drew a remarkable crowd would be an understatement. It boasted the highest number of registered attendees in its history, greeted by a grand celebration showcasing regional neuroscience research from institutions across New England. Hosted by the Vermont Chapter of the Society of Neuroscience, an international organization, this forum promised cutting-edge insights and networking opportunities.
The event commenced on Friday, February 2nd, with a keynote address by Dr. Kerry Ressler, Ph.D., delving into the translation of brain mechanisms of fear to our understanding of PTSD and trauma-related disorders. The day transitioned into an evening of socializing, featuring a cash bar and live music courtesy of the band CombustOmatics, led by Dr. Jom Hammack, UVM's own Director of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program.
The momentum continued into Saturday, February 3rd, with a lineup packed with engaging activities. Participants were treated to a series of Platform Talks, each spanning approximately 15 to 20 minutes, and Data Blitz sessions, each condensed into a dynamic 5-minute presentation. Esteemed researchers like Dr. Yangguang Ou from UVM shared groundbreaking findings, including her pioneering work on electrochemical biosensors for mental health disorders. Dr. Ou's research on tryptophan revealed intriguing insights into amino acid dynamics in the striatum. Dr. Ou finished her talk by emphasizing her students’ contributions to this cutting-edge research. Neuroscience graduate student Jenan Husain in Dr. Benedek Erdos’s lab showcased her exploration of chronic neuroendocrine stress on bladder activity and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Mohammad Elmahdy from UVM gifted the audience with a Data Blitz of his behavioral evaluation of a specific mechanosensory receptor in brain vasculature in mice and it’s relation to cognitive functions. Other highlights included postdoctoral fellow Dr. Jennifer Anderson’s research on LOX-1 inhibition in a model of preeclampsia which won the award of Best Platform Talk, and Dartmouth graduate student Alicia Barber’s longitudinal study shedding light on sex-specific disease trajectories in Alzheimer's.
The day culminated in a showcase of nearly 40 research posters, each offering a glimpse into the forefront of neuroscience research. Among the diverse array of presentations, Mahafuza Aktar delved into BNST PAC1 receptor neuron projections, while Nick Fontaine's work on PAC1 receptor antagonism garnered acclaim for its insights into chronic stress management as he won the Best Graduate Student Poster at the forum. Grace Davis, Lily Russo-Savage, and numerous other researchers at various levels of training shared their compelling contributions.
Reflecting on the event, fourth-year undergraduate student Grace Davis remarked, “I'm really glad I got to attend the NBH forum this year! The UVM Neuroscience community is filled with so many brilliant people. I found I was inspired by many of the talks and the many opportunities for thoughtful discussion throughout the weekend. As a scientist-in-training, I feel proud to be a part of a community with such a vibrant appreciation for science.” Similarly, another undergraduate student Eli Rachimi stated that they “thought the event overall was incredibly fun. It was wonderful to get to know a large variety of scientists at UVM and Dartmouth and to be able to showcase the research that is happening through this event. I felt the forum was very interdisciplinary with not only neuroscience but many other fields as well and made me feel more connected to the neuroscience and psychological researchers here. On a last note, Dr. Hammack’s band did a fantastic job and made Friday all the more fun.”
Looking ahead, attendees are already anticipating next year's event, slated for early February 2025. With hopes for another record turnout, the success of this year's forum serves as a testament to the enduring enthusiasm and commitment of the neuroscience community.
This year’s award winners:
- Best Platform Talk: Dr. Jennifer Anderson
- Best Data Blitz presentation: Abigail Myer
- Best Graduate Student Poster: Nicholas Fontaine
- Best Undergraduate Poster: Taylor Bean
- Best Postdoc Poster: Dr. Xin Rui Lim and Dr. Mohammad Elmahdy
- Most Entertaining Faculty Talk: Dr. Alexis Brieant
