The community fielded over 160 presentations, including contributions to scientific sessions, roundtables, nano symposiums, poster presentations, and social events. (Click here to see a list of presenters and event chairs based on the information provided to MNI.)
Dr. Huda Akil was honored with the 2023 Gruber Neuroscience Prize for her significant contributions to the identification of the neural circuitry and molecular mechanisms that underlie a wide range of neuropsychiatric conditions such as stress, pain, depression, and drug addiction. After receiving the award, Huda presented the Peter and Patricia Gruber Lecture in Neuroscience titled “The Emotional Brain: Embracing the Complexity.”
A remarkable accomplishment
Dr. Akil's talk was framed by how we study affective mood disorders to predict and prevent them. It covered developmental studies, the impact of genes and circuits, animal models of anxiety and depression, and human studies. Huda highlighted the Wakil Lab's breadth of work over the years and, in true Akil fashion, credited her past and present members for much of the lab's successes.
"One of my favorite things about this presentation is how Huda could draw connections among the various studies in her lab, synthesizing work from different model systems and techniques to tell one cohesive story," said Pam Patterson, Assistant Research Scientist in the Wakil Lab. "I'm continually impressed by her ability to connect the dots and see the big picture."
The presentation proceeded to focus on society's current mental health epidemic, especially among the youth. The audience remained visibly engaged throughout the talk due to the topic's relevancy and Huda's genuine passion and commitment to improving mental health outcomes. More about the lectureship and award can be found here.
Being Social
The SfN experience wouldn’t be complete without a U-M Neuroscience event, so MNI and the Neuroscience Graduate Program (NGP) hosted a mixer on Monday evening. Michigan researchers of all kinds -- from undergrads to tenured faculty -- gathered at Wild Days, a hip and “artsy green oasis high above K Street,” to mingle and chat with colleagues, old and new. Many enjoyed the beautiful city view on the outdoor rooftop deck, which had plenty of seating and a fire pit.
“The MNI social was a great opportunity to meet many people I hadn't met before,” said NGP Student Katie Furman. “I made great connections with people who work in other buildings and departments as well as various MNI and NGP alumni."
Another social event occurred on Tuesday evening when MNI Assistant Research Scientist Dr. Megan Hagenauer reprised her popular gathering to discuss scientific failures. The event titled, “The Confound Hour: Let’s Make Some Noise,” celebrated the heroic, unsung art of scientific troubleshooting, playing games, and sharing stories of experimental failures, lab accidents, and mistakes with the group, culminating in the coronation of the 2023 “Stuck to It” Golden Duct Tape Award winner.”
“Professional conferences project these glossy, polished visions of scientific success, but the daily experience of science is often failure - troubleshooting, rejection, revision,” explained Dr. Hagenauer. “For some, walking into a safe space to talk (and laugh!) about these experiences feels cathartic. Participants approached me after the event and told me they felt less alone, more confident, and even "healed.”
Virtual Component Still Available!
Registered SfN 2023 attendees can access selected presentations online through December 15. These offerings include selected scientific sessions and virtual posters and the ability to leave comments for presenters. Click this link or the graphic at right to sign in and view 41 live-streamed sessions and over 2,500 virtual posters.
Share your SfN 23 photos!
MNI is creating an album of images from the conference and related events. Do you have photos to share featuring you and/or your U-M Neuroscience colleagues? Please click the corresponding graphic or click here to share your pictures with MNI via DropBox using your @umich email address. Photos will automatically have last names added to the end of the filename to provide photo credit to all images.
Goodbye, D.C.!
People attend the annual SfN Conference to share their science, collaborate with researchers worldwide, learn the latest neuroscience, and (re)connect with others. A final thought on SfN 2023 was summed up best via a tweet published by Professor Shelly Flagel, Ph.D., who said:
Leaving #SfN2023 with tired feet, a full heart & excitement for our field & community (at large and within @NGPMichigan and @UM_MNI).
Save the date for SfN 2024, which will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center on Saturday, October 5, through Wednesday, October 9.