Join the Discussion
January 28, 2015   5:30 - 7:30 PM 
at Conor O'Neill's

Light is a powerful tool - it can help us see brain function, and it can even activate behavior patterns. One new research tool uses visible light to map and understand brain activity. Assistant Professor Ioulia Kovelman of the Department of Psychology uses this tool to study the human mind, and especially language and bilingual acquisition in children and adults. In a separate project, Assistant Professor Orie Shafer of the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology employs anatomical, genetic, and live imaging techniques to discover how a sense of time emerges from neurons within the brain, a sense that must be synchronized with daily changes in light and darkness. The neuroscience research conducted by these two researchers leads to questions about how the results of such research tools might be used in the future. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about learning, behavior, the future of brain science. Sponsored by Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society.

Science Cafés provide an opportunity for audiences to discuss current science topics with experts in an informal setting. All Science Cafés take place at Conor O’Neill’s Traditional Irish Pub, 318 South Main Street, Ann Arbor. Hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 pm; program 6:00-7:30 pm.

Next events: February, March, and April