UNE students, faculty and staff attend well world’s largest neuroscience meeting

20 University of New England students, faculty and professional staff members traveled to the nation’s capital to participate in the annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) meeting. Each year, more than 30,000 neuroscientists from over 80 countries attend the event, making it the world’s largest gathering for neuroscientists.

The meeting allows researchers to collaborate with colleagues, present research and learn about the newest advancements in neuroscience. The conference also offers a unique opportunity for faculty to catch up with UNE alumni. Taylor Follansbee, B.S. ‘13, M.S. ’15, who trained with Professor Geoffrey Ganter, Ph.D., and is currently in a Ph.D. program at the University of California, Davis, attended the meeting, as did Justin LaVigne, B.S. ’13, who is currently enrolled in a graduate program at the University of Arizona.

The Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences was represented at the conference by members of the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Osteopathic Medicine including five graduate students, nine undergraduates, three staff members and seven faculty members. For several students, it was their first time at this conference and many people came back from the meeting feeling motivated and equipped with new research ideas.

Most all of the research presented at the conference by UNE faculty, students and staff received financial support from the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) for the Study of Pain and Sensory Function. The COBRE is funded by a $10 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) given as part of its Institutional Development Award (IDeA) program.

To learn more about UNE’s Center for Excellence in the Neurosciences, visit: www.une.edu/research/cen

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions