By: Amanda White, Research Technologist in the Department of Psychiatry The Philadelphia Eagles are an exciting NFL team to watch because you never know which team is going to show up: the one that puts up 30+ points, or the one that loses pitifully to the New York Giants. Watching a tennis match is just … Continue reading Making Mirrors: Our Brain’s Reaction to Familiar Movements
“How Can I Join a Lab as an Undergraduate?”
By: Caitlin Millett, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program There are many benefits to participating in undergraduate research. In most cases, especially in STEM fields, writing a research thesis is a requirement for graduation. Moreover, it’s necessary for a strong application to graduate or medical school. That said, there are many aspects of … Continue reading “How Can I Join a Lab as an Undergraduate?”
From Sacks to Suicidality: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and the NFL
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Graduate Program Ah, football. The great American pastime. The fresh cut grass and crisply-painted yard lines. The sound of helmets clashing in an epic stack of large men vying for a single ball. Stands packed high with thousands upon thousands of crazed, prideful, body-painted … Continue reading From Sacks to Suicidality: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy and the NFL
The Surprising Effects of Exercise on Memory
By: Amanda White, research technologist in the Department of PsychiatryNow that winter has descended upon central Pennsylvania, all I want to do is burrow into a pile of blankets and drink tea. But in the weeks ahead, I have to finish up projects, get together with family and friends, write cards, shop for last-minute gifts, … Continue reading The Surprising Effects of Exercise on Memory
How Does Animal Research Advance Medicine?
By: Ross Keller, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program A question was submitted to our blog asking: “How does animal research advance medicine?” It is an important question, and I will do my best to answer it. The average human life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past 100 years. In … Continue reading How Does Animal Research Advance Medicine?
Alcohol, Sleep, and Why You Might Re-think that Nightcap
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program "Alcohol makes you sleepy." We've all heard it. Many of us have experienced it. A few of us even swear by it—enough to ceremonially partake in a glass or two of wine before crawling into bed. A nightcap. In fact, a little booze … Continue reading Alcohol, Sleep, and Why You Might Re-think that Nightcap
Goodbye Sun; Hello SAD
By: Caitlin Millett, 2nd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program It’s that time of year again- the end of daylight savings and the beginning of the dark season. As is ominously stated in Game of Thrones: Winter. Is. Coming. While the majority of us look forward to seasonal festivities, millions can also expect feelings … Continue reading Goodbye Sun; Hello SAD
The War on Cancer: Targeted Therapy
By: Ross Keller, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program In an earlier post, I outlined a potential roadmap for the War on Cancer. I stated that in order to win, we need to define the genetic components of a specific cancer and design treatments based on that component. This is called … Continue reading The War on Cancer: Targeted Therapy
Optogenetics and the Future of Brain Mapping
By: Andrew Huhn, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program Optogenetics is one of the most significant advances in neuroscience in the last decade. The very concept of optogenetics appears to come straight from a science fiction novel: we can control the brain with a laser! Okay, so that’s a bit of an overstatement, but not … Continue reading Optogenetics and the Future of Brain Mapping
Sleep Cycle Apps: Precise, or Placebo?
By: Jordan Gaines Lewis, 3rd year PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Program Thanks to the Internet, it's the age of self-diagnosis. People like to learn about (and treat) themselves through technology. Especially when pretty graphs are involved (see fancy screenshot at left). As a sleep researcher, I was interested in my friends' use of sleep-tracking … Continue reading Sleep Cycle Apps: Precise, or Placebo?
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