Virtual Events
Toward AGI: Automating "Slow" Thinking in AI
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Despite advancements in generative AI and large language models, the holy grail of AGI (artificial general intelligence) — AI as good as humans — still seems elusive. Gopal Gupta, PhD, presents a goal-directed answer set programming system that automates human (commonsense) reasoning in order to discuss how AI systems to match human capabilities can be built by combining learning and reasoning, including several practical applications of this approach, e.g., reliable interactive chatbots and autonomous driving.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Enhancing Plasticity and Brain Health
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Non-invasive stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (taVNS) shows promise toward improving brain health and function, and human performance across a multitude of domains. William "Jamie" Tyler, PhD, and Cristin Welle, PhD, explore implications of new findings for neurorehabilitation in the context of pilot clinical investigations using reinforcement-based taVNS to improve fine motor ability in people with multiple sclerosis and executive function in people suffering from neuroinflammation.
Using “Sidewalk Neuroscience” to Study Power Relationships
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“Sidewalk neuroscience” refers to gaining insights into the function of human behavior through simple observation; as a result, this form of scientific discovery is available to all and, if rigorously applied, can provide insights into human emotions and behavioral intent. In this presentation, political scientist Patrick A. Stewart, PhD, discusses how observing and coding the behavior of public figures by using the Ethological Coding System for Interviews (ECSI) and eye blink rates can provide insights into power relationships.
Confident Aging
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Do you often find yourself thinking about getting older? Do you believe that aging inevitably means losing independence — or do you think it’s possible to maintain a rich, purposeful life as you grow older? Renowned clinical psychologist Ian Robertson, PhD, explores the beliefs and behaviors that shape our confidence, and how, within the limits of illness or circumstance, we can age more actively, happily, and with greater purpose.
The Road to Recovery Among Cancer Patients: The Role of Resiliency and Neuroendocrine Profiles
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Directing a long-term study on the link between psychosocial factors and increasing cancer risks that could be mediated by cellular immune response, Dr. Massimo Bardi works with oncologists, geneticists, psychologists and neuroscientists to test the hypothesis that a more adaptive neuroendocrine physiological profile could be positively associated with a better cancer prognosis. Their main goal is to identify innovative and cost-effective methods to stimulate biopsychosocial enhancements in cancer patients to improve quality of life and reduce tremendous costs.
Studying the Brain Basis of Age- and Disease-Related Cognitive Changes With fMRI
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Talk description coming soon. Bart Rypma, PhD, leads research aimed at exploring the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of human memory and how these are affected by aging and disease, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to observe the activity of younger and older adults as they perform cognitive tasks. He has published extensively on the cognitive and neurobiological mechanisms of human memory, including high-profile publications in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Nature Neuroscience, Cerebral Cortex and Neuroimage.
Visualizing Molecular Events in the Brain with Hemogenetic MRI
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As director of the Li neuroimaging Lab (LNAB), Dr. Nan Li aims to develop novel whole-brain MRI imaging methods to integrate molecular and system neuroscience while solving brain science problems in health and diseases. She hopes that ultimately her work will broaden our capacity of functional brain imaging to better understand the fundamental mechanisms and develop treatments for better brain health.
MRI Biomarkers for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
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Brain imaging provides an important opportunity for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment monitoring in vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). In this talk, Hanzhang Lu, PhD, discusses a potential framework of biomarkers for the classification of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), specifically describing cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), an important physiological parameter of vascular health, as a candidate biomarker in small vessel disease related VCID.
Brain Health Starts with Brain Care: A Scalable Solution to the Pandemic of Age-Related Brain Disease
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In this talk, Jonathan Rosand, MD, MSc, shares how the Global Brain Care Coalition (GBCC) partners with communities to bring personalized, compassionate, science-grounded approach to people everywhere. The Global Brain Care Coalition (GBCC) is an international learning health care system grounded in providing people with the knowledge and tools to take action in caring for their brains — its mission is to make proactive, evidence-based brain care simple and accessible to communities worldwide to promote brain health and prevent disease.
Clinical Psychology and Executive Function
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Talk description coming soon. Stacie Warren, PhD, researches topics including clinical psychology, neuropsychology, psychopathology, executive function, emotion regulation, cognitive and affective neuroscience, cognitive training and computational modeling.