Brain Awareness Week

BRAIN AWARENESS WEEK

Join us for Neuroscience Discovery

February 28, March 13 & 16, 2024

There have been significant advances in brain research in recent years, increasing understanding of the brain and raising awareness and support for ongoing research.

Join University of Lethbridge researchers, students and community partners in the lead up to and during Brain Awareness Week to learn more about these advances and what they mean for overall brain health.

Community Lecture: The Neuroscience of “Normal”: How do our brains shape who we are?

Speaker: Dr. Chelsea Ekstrand, Department of Neuroscience

Abstract: At any given moment, billions of neurons in your brain are working to construct your individual conscious experience, offering a personal lens to perceive the world –your everyday “normal”. Each person is unique, reflecting a combination of their genetic makeup and the lived experiences that shape their lives. Every brain is also unique, and the uniqueness of our brains plays a pivotal role in defining our personalities and influencing how we perceive and interact with the world. Amidst this diversity, how do we define what is “normal”, particularly when it comes to the brain? This talk will explore the question of normality in the human brain by examining how external factors can change our brains, the ways our personality traits influence how we see the world, and the impact of major life events on reshaping our realities. Together, this talk will shed light on the extraordinary ways our brains shape our perception of the world and make us who we are. 

Date: February 28, 2024
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Galt Museum Viewing Gallery

Public Talk: The Social Synapse: Using play and relationships to build executive function.

Speaker: Dr. Robbin Gibb (BSc '77, MSc '01, PhD '04), Department of Neuroscience

Abstract: During our lifespan, one of the most important ways to promote healthy brain function is through supportive and positive relationships. This talk will highlight our successes in the community using play-based programs that exercise working memory, cognitive flexibility and behavioural inhibition. These programs offered through the Building Brains Together organization and funded by the City of Lethbridge are currently running in preschools, middle schools, and in senior centres. We are also pleased to support cognitive testing for participants in the Chess for Life program designed by Dr. Lance Grigg for justice-involved youth. This work is funded by an anonymous donor and our goal is to demonstrate that youth who learn to play chess with a one-on-one mentor during their 25- hour sentence, show improvements in their executive function skills.

Date: March 13, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: BMO Auditorium, University of Lethbridge Science Commons

Open House BAW

CCBN Open House

Unlock the mysteries of the mind! Step inside the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience (CCBN) at the University of Lethbridge and discover the secrets of the brain. From guided lab tours to hands-on activities, there's something for everyone at the Brain Awareness Week CCBN Open House.

Saturday, March 16, 2024  |  10 a.m to 1 p.m.

Science Commons
Main & 8th Floor
Main Entrance
University of Lethbridge Campus

FREE event that everyone is welcome to attend! Free parking. activities for children. Check out Canada’s most advanced facility for science education.

Drawn to the University of Lethbridge by its outstanding neuroscience program and hands-on research opportunities, Devanshi Sharma initially aspired to attend medical school. However, through engaging in independent studies, she discovered her true passion for research.

"My most memorable ULethbridge experience was taking part in independent studies. It allowed me to explore my passion for research. I really enjoy how personal and direct the experience is." Devanshi Sharma, BSc Neuroscience

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For more information, please contact us via email (ccbn@uleth.ca) or by phone 403-332-4099.