2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

8Departments that

make up the Brains & Behavior Program

12New Brains &

Behavior Graduate Fellows

this Summer

46Brains &

Behavior Fellows

The B&B P tentialThe Brains & Behavior NewsletterA publication of the Neuroscience InstituteBrains & Behavior Area of Focus, also known as B&B, is an interdepartmental program that promotes research collaborations and dialog through graduate courses, lectures, grants, and much more. Researchers and students involved in this program span across the departments of biology,

chemistry, neuroscience, computer science, mathematics & statistics, philosophy, physics & astronomy, and psychology. The five central components of this program are the B&B Scholars Program & Fellowship, the Distinguished Lecture Series, Seed Grants, and the Seminar Class.

The B&B PotentialJust like an action potential allows for communication, so does the new B&B Potential newsletter! Albeit, one is on a micro scale and within a neuronal network and the other is on macro scale and within the

Brains & Behavior community. Nevertheless, communication is at the center of both! The B&B Potential will be published four times a year and archives can always be found on the neuroscience website: http://www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/

By the numbers...

Sajiya Jalil B&B Fellow Math/Stats

Photo Courtesy of Michael Daniel

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

Brains & Behavior Fellowship Program

Brains & Behavior Distinguished Lecture Series Brains & Behavior Seed Grants

The Fellowship is the major student component of the Brains & Behavior program. There are 46

graduate students in this prestigious program and they hail from the 8 different disciplines making up

the Brains & Behavior area of focus. They are required to attend all the distinguished lectures. In

addition, these students take the B&B Seminar Course for an entire year. Many students engage in extracurricular and community activities together:

http://www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/4219.html

Scholars from across the world come to speak in the yearly B&B Distinguished Lecture Series

(otherwise known as DLS). The series is held once a month from September through May in Georgia State University’s new Petit Science Center. The speakers usually meet with faculty and students

during their stay. www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/Social_Media.html

For a detailed schedule of the 2011 DLS, see page 9

Matthew Nusnbaum, Recent graduate, B&B Fellow, Neuroscience

Not only is collaboration seen at the student level within the B&B Fellowship, but the annual B&B Seed Grant program fosters collaboration at the faculty level as well. Each year, faculty across 8

disciplines work together to initiate interdisciplinary research with the support of a seed

grant. Many times, these small projects go on to garner federal funding and develop into large

collaborative research.

Brains & Behavior Scholars Program

The B&B Scholars Program provides fellowships to selected undergraduates to support

their research efforts in faculty laboratories. Prospective B&B Scholars are required to have a

3.0 GPA or better, be GSU undergraduates in good standing, and submit a two-page single-

spaced description of their proposed research. Inquire on the website for more information:

www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/brains_behavior.html

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

B&B Scientist Spotlight

Dr. Robert Simmons of the Biological Imaging Core in Petit

Science Center receives the Distinguished Scientist

Award from the Southeastern Microscopy Society

Biological Core Facility brings resources and

awards

By Liz Weaver • weaver31@me.com

For the director of the Biological Imaging Core here at Georgia State University, Robert Simmons, microscopy is more than expensive equipment and decades of know-how. As a budding scientist in his undergrad here at GSU, he became interested in photography. It wasn’t long

before this passion for art intersected with his mutual love for biological science in the form of microscopy.

Throughout his undergrad studies, Robert took night classes at Fernbank Science Center and learned the technical skills needed to operate a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). He also began rebuilding microscopes for GSU.

After his Bachelors (Honors), Robert ran the technical photography program at University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. But it wasn’t long until, Robert found his way back to GSU, eventually completing a Ph.D. in Microbiology.

Fast forward to today, Robert is running the first centralized biological imaging core facility GSU has ever seen. Prior to a year ago, microscope resources were scattered in many places around campus and not managed by a central core program. Robert claims this new organization is convenient for the students and helps with microscope maintenance (an essential component to extending a microscope’s life).

With 3 laser scanning confocal microscopes, 2 high powered light scopes, a transmission electron microscope, and a scanning electron microscope, GSU boasts a powerful way to study the smaller things in life.

Of the departments that make up B&B, Robert says that Chemistry, Biology, and Neuroscience are his biggest users of the facility, studying everything from nano particles to viruses to neural tissue. Another unique attribute of this facility is its ability to take a biological sample and examine it on several different levels. This multi-level analysis is key, Robert says, when trying to understand all facets of something very complex.

This past May, Robert’s meticulous detail and high skill set did not go unnoticed and landed him the prestigious Distinguished Scientist Award from the Southeastern Microscopy Society(southeasternmicroscopy.org). This following year, Microscopy Society of America, the parent society, is making him a Fellow for his years of teaching, research, and service to the community.

Lucky for the rest of us, Robert shares some of his knowledge in a lecture course called Biological Imaging.

In his free time, art is still a presence in Robert’s life. As an avid glass blower, Robert often uses science as an inspiration. Feel free to check him out via the web, both as a scientist and an artist. Whoever said the two were mutually exclusive, hasn’t met Robert. (www.biology.gsu.edu/5730.html)(www.beadsofcourage.org)

Photo Courtesy of Michael Daniel

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

BRAINS & BEHAVIOR RETREAT

STUDENT RETREAT

What: One day of student talks, special lectures, and a poster session. Who: Over 100 Faculty, Staff, & Students

Where: Loudermilk CenterHighlight: Author and noted scientist, Frans de Waal, PhD, gave the keynote talk.

RECENT EVENTS

What: Two days of team building, data-blitzes, science-related scavenger hunts, and teach-backs.

Who: 18 Grad StudentsWhere: Big Canoe, Georgia

Highlight: Students partook in a team building ropes course at Amicalola Falls.

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

Fall 2011 B&B Distinguished LecturesSee Back Page

B&B Community Event- Memory WalkOctober 8th, 2011

NEW! Professional Development Workshops

Open to B&B Fellows & FacultyBeginning in September, these workshops will be

advertised through the B&B List-serv.

Brains & Behavior Program at a Glance

Neuroscience

Philosophy

Math & Statistics

Computer Science

Physics & Astronomy

Biology

Chemistry

Psychology

Quick ResourcesPROGRAM WEBSITE www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/brains_behavior.html

FELLOWSHIP WEBSITE http://neuroscience.gsu.edu/4219.html

DISTINGUISHED LECTURES http://neuroscience.gsu.edu/lecture_series.html

UPCOMING EVENTS

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

Follow us at BrainsBehavrGSU. Everyday we tweet research findings as interdisciplinary as the program itself. In the

spirit of dialog, feel free to add to the conversation! If you are new to Twitter or have never done it and would like to know more, please email Liz Weaver: weaver31@me.com. Follow us @BrainsBehavrGSU. Don’t want to download it on your phone or computer? Follow our live stream here:

http://www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/Social_Media.html

Did you know?

• Fellows are eligible for an

annual $500 travel award.

• Brains & Behavior will be

organizing professional

development workshops this Fall

• Fellows have the opportunity

to meet each distinguished

lecturer over lunch

Brains & Behavior has upgraded to the new Facebook format for groups. Type this link in your browser and request to join!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/246388658720003?ap=1OR search for GSU Brains & Behavior.

I am

a Fellow. How

else does B&B support

me other than my

annual fellowship?

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

Interdisciplinary Committee (IDC)

ANDREA SCARANTINO - CHAIR

(PHILOSOPHY)

ANNE MURPHY

(NEUROSCIENCE)

DIANA ROBINS

(PSYCHOLOGY)

DON EDWARDS

(NEUROSCIENCE)

NEW!~ MUKESH DHAMALA

(PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY)

The IDC oversees the Brains & Behavior program. This committee rotates faculty each year in order to

represent each discipline and their unique needs.

HAVE A STORY? NEWS?Please contact Liz Weaver, Editor

Phone: 404-413-5469

Email: weaver31@me.com

In Person: 883 Petit Science Center

Liz is the Neuroscience Education Specialist for the Neuroscience Institute and also coordinates the B&B and BRAIN Programs at Georgia State.

THANK YOU! To Deb Baro (Biology), for serving on

the IDC for the past 2 years (2009-2011).

WELCOME!To Mukesh Dhamala (Physics &

Astronomy), as our newest IDC member.

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

Math is our second theme in a series of fun challenge topics that represent B&B. Please enjoy our next challenge, Sudoku.

Enjoy!

Other SpotlightsB&B Department:

Neuroscience offers undergrad program!http://www.gsu.edu/news/52417.html

B&B Fellows:

Yang Yang (BIO) and Sajiya Jalil (MATH) Fellow Spotlights featured on the Neuroscience Institute website:

http://www.neuroscience.gsu.edu/4594.html

B&B Faculty:Check out GSU’s Second Century Initiative and how it directly impacts B&B

Faculty across multiple departments:http://www.gsu.edu/secondcentury/41156.html

TURN IN YOUR FINISHED SUDOKU AND BE ENTERED TO WIN A PRIZE!

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

January 10, 2012 Joel Elmquist

Univ. Texas, SouthwesternHost: Brad Cooke

February 14, 2012 Joe Tsien

Georgia Health Sciences UniversityHost: Anne Murphy

March 13, 2012

Marina PicciottoYale University

Host: Kyle Frantz

April 10, 2012 Allen Selverston

Univ. of California, San Diego Host: Robert Clewley & Andrey Shilnikov

May 15, 2012*

Mary KennedyCalifornia Institute of Technology

Host: Sarah Pallas

BRAINS & BEHAVIOR DISTINGUISHED LECTURESSecond Tuesday of each month at 10 AM,

124 Petit Science Center, 100 Piedmont Ave SE.This lecture series is free and open to all GSU students, staff, and faculty and all

members of the Atlanta Neuroscience Community.

2 0 1 2

UPCOMING FALL 2011 LECTURES ARE ON FOLLOWING PAGE

2011 SUMMER ISSUE AUGUST 5, 2011

Georgia State University

UPCOMING BRAINS & BEHAVIOR DISTINGUISHED LECTURESSecond Tuesday of each month at 10 AM,

124 Petit Science Center, 100 Piedmont Ave SE.This lecture series is free and open to all GSU students, staff, and faculty

and all members of the Atlanta Neuroscience Community.

Sept. 13, 2011

Geert DeVriesUniversity of Massachusetts

Host: Elliott Albers

October 11, 2011

Edward KravitzHarvard UniversityHost: Kim Huhman

November 8, 2011

Richard PalmiterUniv. Washington

Host: Tim Bartness

December 6, 2011

Michael Dickinson Univ. WashingtonHost: Donald Edwards