As many of their classmates and cohorts were returning from winter break, neuroscience researchers at Mizzou gathered for the university’s first Brain Science Symposium.

Cooper Drury, dean of the College of Arts & Science, was among the symposium’s speakers and highlighted the college’s deep connections to brain science. “Brain science research strikes at the heart of what A&S is all about,” said Drury. “It allows us to understand how and why people make decisions, process emotions, music and art.”

Faculty presented on a range of projects, including reverse engineering brain circuits, creating targeted addiction treatments, and detection of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

The symposium also featured the contributions of students and postdoctoral researchers who displayed more than 35 posters of their own research.

“This was one of the best outcomes of the symposium,” said Tim Glass, associate dean of research for the College of Arts & Science. “These trainees had a great opportunity to receive valuable feedback from brain science experts, as well as experts in other areas. These interactions provided the students and postdoctoral researchers with a breadth of knowledge that they would never get otherwise.”

Including researchers from the College of Arts & Science, representatives from five MU schools and colleges showcased their work.

Building upon initiatives like NextGen Precision Health, the symposium’s participants and organizers continue pushing Mizzou’s research mission forward after the symposium’s conclusion.

“We hope this event serves as the spark that lights the fire in support of a long-term, campuswide initiative supporting transdisciplinary research in the field of brain science,” says Drury.