Welcome back Neuroscience students ! 

We hope that you had a nice winter break and are ready to get back to Neuroscience !

Summer research opportunities are beginning to advertise and deadlines for applications are fast approaching.

SEE BELOW:

1. University of Oregon Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) 

We are now accepting applications for University of Oregon's Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR). The program supports 10-week mentored summer research experience that also includes travel, room and board, stipends, professional development workshops, and community-building social activities.  



We especially encourage students from underrepresented groups in life sciences to apply.  Participating faculty offer research 

By Gail Hairston

The University of Kentucky recently announced the 16 undergraduate winners of the 53rd annual Oswald Research and Creativity Competition.

Established in 1964 by former UK President John Oswald, the Oswald Research and Creativity Program encourages research and creative activities by undergraduate students at UK. The objectives of the program are to stimulate creative work by undergraduate students and to recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement.

Categories include biological sciences; design, including architecture, landscape architecture and interior design; fine arts, including film, music, photography, painting and sculpture; humanities, from creative and critical-research approaches; physical and engineering sciences; and social sciences. All submissions are sent anonymously to faculty reviewers in related fields and

The College of Arts and Sciences is holding a ceremony and reception TODAY October 27th, 2017 to honor all students that made the Dean's List in Spring of 2017.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR SPRING 2017 DEAN'S LIST NEUROSCIENCE STUDENTS !

Dr. Santollo's research is focused on understanding how gonadal hormones, specifically estrogens, contribute to sex differences in fluid and energy homeostasis. Estrogens reduce water, salt, and food intakes and blood pressure in females but the exact mechanisms by which this occurs is unknown. Current research projects focus on (1) identifying the estrogen receptor subtypes and populations which underlie these behavioral changes, (2), investigating estrogen receptor specific effects on the cell signaling pathways downstream of the angiotensin type 1 receptor, (3) investigating the role of aging on fluid and energy homeostasis in females, and (3) identifying and exploring sex differences in the renin-angiotensin system.

Director of Undergraduate Studies Dr. Robin Cooper featured in the Sept. newsletter of FUN- the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (https://www.funfaculty.org/drupal/)

I N C R E A S I N G   A C C E S S   TO  E D U C AT I O N A L   L A B O R AT O R Y   P R O T O C O L S  

F O R   E V E R Y O N E. 

R O B I N  L . C O O P E R , P H . D . D E P T . OF

Congratulations to both Tori and Viresh for publishing a scientifc paper with Director of Undergraduate Studies in Neuroscience Dr. Robin Cooper !

It is estimated that 1.7 million Americans will have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. 75% of those TBIs are classified as a mild traumatic brain injury: also known as a concussion. It is widely assumed that the effects of a concussion, such as dizziness and headaches, are temporary. Evidence suggests that this is not the case and even a concussion can result in progressive brain atrophy. All blows to the head do not lead to neurodegeneration; however, they do increase the likelihood that someone may develop dementia in their lifetime.

My research is focused on understanding neuron-glia interactions that underlie complex diseases of the brain. We are particularly interested in how neuron-glia interactions are altered after a concussion, and how those alterations could increase the chance that someone may develop dementia. Glia are exquisitely sensitive to

The Neuroscience Program will welcome Michael Sucharski to campus on August 24th , 2017. Michael is a senior-to-be at East Troy High School in East Troy, WI and will be touring campus to learn more about the Neuroscience Program.

Posted: Jul 25, 2017 1:29 PM ESTUpdated: Jul 25, 2017 1:31 PM EST

(Wallet Hub) Wallet Hub's analysts compared the 150 largest metropolitan statistical areas across nine key metrics to determine the most educated and least educated cities in America. 

They say that their data set ranges from share of adults aged 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher to quality of the public school system to gender education gap. 

Lexington was ranked the 24th most educated city. 

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease and Down Syndrome

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 25, 2017) — People who have Down syndrome may develop Alzheimer’s disease at a younger age than people without Down syndrome. Recently, however, research showed that some people with Down syndrome might not develop dementia at all. Doctors and researchers are still trying to learn why some people with Down syndrome develop dementia, either earlier or later, while others don’t.

Currently, only a few of the approved drug treatments for Alzheimer’s disease have been tested to see if they work for people with Down syndrome, and these treatments offer few benefits. It’s critical, then, for us to learn more about normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease in people with Down syndrome.

During the summer months of each year, the Neuroscience B.S. program is host to many visits from families and individuals who are either entering UK in the Fall semester or who are considering UK as a place to continue their education

This month, we are thrilled to be hosting Ms. Meredith Noss, from Carmel, Indiana. Meredith is a  senior-to-be at Carmel High School and is interested in learning more about the Neuroscience B.S. program. The program Director, Dr. Mark Prendergast, will be providing a tour of UK and the Neuroscience labs to Meredith and her family later this month.

Welcome to UK, Meredith !

Hello from the UK Neuroscience B.S. Program,

A few brief notes from the program.

- we hope that you are enjoying your summer !  The Fall semester is approximately 5 weeks away and we will have our largest freshman class yet.

- The Neurocience B.S. program will now be guided by a single Director, Dr. Mark A. Prendergast, and an Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is comprised of Dr. Luke Bradley (Dept. of Neuroscience); Dr. Julie Pendergast (Dept. of Biology); Dr. Melinda Wilson (Dept. Physiology) and our new  Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Robin Cooper (Dept. of Biology). Our Advisory Board of 10 individuals, including two Neuroscience students, will remain the same.

- We thank Drs. James Geddes and Elizabeth Debski for their tireless efforts during these past 3 years while they served as Co-Directors with Dr. Prendergast.

By Lori Minter

The University of Kentucky has released its Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester.  A total of 6,412 students were recognized for their outstanding academic performance. 

To make a Dean’s List in one of the UK colleges, a student must earn a grade point average of 3.6 or higher and must have earned 12 credits or more in that semester, excluding credits earned in pass-fail classes.  Some UK colleges require a 3.5 GPA to make the Dean’s List.

The full Dean's List can be accessed by visiting: www.uky.edu/PR/News/DeansList/.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK

By Jenny Wells

Macrophages from an African spiny mouse promote tissue regeneration.

A team of University of Kentucky researchers has discovered that macrophages, a type of immune cell that clears debris at injury sites during normal wound healing and helps produce scar tissue, are required for complex tissue regeneration in mammals. Their findings, published today in eLife, shed light on how immune cells might be harnessed to someday help stimulate tissue regeneration in humans.

“With few examples to study, we know very little about how regeneration works in mammals; most of what we know about organ regeneration comes from studying invertebrates or from research in amphibians and fish,” said Ashley Seifert, senior author of the study and assistant professor of 

UK Board Approves 16 University Research Professorships

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 2, 2017) — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees today approved 16 University Research Professorships for the 2017-18 year.

The purpose of the University Research Professorship program is to recognize and publicize research accomplishments of scholars across the full range of disciplines at UK. The award amount is $10,000 for one year, to be used to further the research, scholarship and creative endeavors of the awardee.  

“It is truly gratifying to recognize these distinguished experts who have made significant contributions in so many different fields of research at the University of Kentucky,” said Lisa Cassis, UK’s vice president for research. “

By Gail Hairston

The University of Kentucky will send 59 undergraduate student-researchers to the 31st annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) at the University of Memphis April 6-8.

The UK group joins young researchers from around the world to showcase their research findings through poster and oral presentations. Each student will be given the opportunity to discuss their display and share their research results, illuminating how their work will have an impact on future research development. UK has been an active NCUR participant since the mid ’90s.

One of the first things these young researchers learn is that most research is not conducted in the traditional laboratory with bubbling beakers and flaming Bunsen burners. But modern research spans all disciplines and majors, and includes a wide variety of activities.

“For some

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2017) — To prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, jurors must find evidence a defendant was culpable of a criminal act. Culpability refers to a person’s awareness and mental state, and in cases of criminal conviction, the degree of culpability or “guiltiness” dictates the degree of punishment. Depending on culpability, a punishment ranges from a small fine to life in prison.

Legal statutes across the United States specify four psychological states a person can be in while committing a

By Rebecca Stratton

Want to get to know the people behind some of the biggest student leadership positions on campus? We did, too! That's why we've introduced "see blue." #selfie — a series on UKNow that lets student leaders from across campus tell us a little bit more about themselves and their organizations. Up this week, College Mentors for Kids President Maddie Conrad

Meet Maddie Conrad, this year's president of the University of Kentucky's College Mentors for Kids. A senior psychology major and neuroscience minor, Conrad claims she always enjoyed working with kids but truly found her passion as she got involved with College Mentors once she got to UK. Conrad has mentored more than 100 students through this program! Learn more about Conrad in her "see blue." #selfie!

UKNow: What year are you

By Loretta Stafford

Over the last year, University of Kentucky neuroscience senior and Cuban native Giamnys "Gia" Valdés Lastre has worked closely with Mark Prendergast, professor of neuroscience and psychology in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, and the UK College of Pharmacy's Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation on research concerning extremophile bacteria and alcohol-related brain damage.

As an undergraduate research assistant in Prendergast's lab, Valdés Lastre is part of a team that has studied a species of bacteria found at the site of the Ruth Mullins coal fire