A founding Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience, the Vermont Chapter for the SFN was already in existence when the national SFN was established. Dr. Dave Whitehorn, who came to UVM from the University of Utah to join the department of Physiology and Biophysics, in conjunction with a core group of neuroscientists at UVM, was instrumental in establishing the Vermont Chapter for the SFN and was the Chapter's first President. The first national meeting of the SFN was held in Washington DC in the autumn of 1971. The Vermont Chapter grew from an already existing core group of UVM faculty who viewed themselves in the larger context of neuroscience. There was an active physiological psychology group in the Psychology department, including Bruce Kapp (who was one of the VT Chapters later presidents) and Steve Goldstein. Additionally, in Anatomy and Neurobiology, Joe Wells was doing very early work on neuronal transplants. Another major contributor to the chapter's formation was Edie Hendley, who was in Physiology and Biophysics. The Vermont Chapter for the SFN had a number of activities in the early years. The President of UVM provided funding to bring in a series of world class speakers on the topic of mental disorders, from     a wide range of perspectives. One of these talks was given by Dr. Seymour Kety, a world renowned scientist, who received the Albert Lasker Award for basic medical research in 1999 and served as the first scientific director of NIMH. Since then the VT Chapter for the SFN has enjoyed good years and prevailed through lean times. Chapter membership has grown from 80 members in 2005 to more than 125 members in 2014. The first annual retreat was held at Stowe Mountain Resort under the leadership of the then President, Dr. Diane Jaworski (Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, UVM). These annual retreats continue, bringing VT SfN members and the larger neuroscience, behavior and health communities together.

Our Members, Our Community

Members of the Vermont Chapter include faculty, staff and students from The University of Vermont, Middlebury College, Dartmouth College as well as partners from area businesses.   The Vermont Chapter for the Society of Neuroscience supports a variety of local outreach activities including the Vermont Brain Bee, and events including the annual Neuroscience, Behavior and Health (NBH) Research Forum. The Vermont Chapter also provides travel grants to help students attend the Annual Society for Neuroscience meeting. Members' participation is crucial to the success of these programs.

Show your support by renewing your membership (or joining as a new member). 

2026 membership rates are: $45 for faculty, $35 for postdocs and staff, $20 for graduate students.

We are currently updating the Membership Form. Please check back soon to complete the online payment below and submit the VT SfN Membership Form when it is available.2026 Faculty Membership: $452026 Postdoc or Staff Membership: $35

2026 Graduate Student Membership: $20 

The Executive Board

President:

• Brigitte Lavoie, Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, the University of Vermont 

Treasurer:

• Molly Stanley, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont 

Secretary:

• Jeremy Barry, Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont 

Post Doc Representative:

• None at this time.

Graduate Student Representative:

• Emery Harlan, Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
• Caitlen Allen, Department of Neurological Sciences, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont

16th Annual Neuroscience, Behavior and Health Forum

More information coming soon!

Held: January 30-31, 2026

Location: Maple Ballroom | Davis Center | University of Vermont | Burlington, Vermont

Keynote Speaker: Francisco J. Quintana, PhD
Associate Scientist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Professor of Neurology, Harvard University
Associate Member, Broad Institute

Dr. Quintana's research focuses on regulation of immune response in CNS using innovative models.

Brigitte Lavoie, PhD 
President, VT Chapter SfN
Office Location:
Given D403A
89 Beaumont Ave
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: 802-656-2011
Email: Brigitte.Lavoie@uvm.edu