U of G to Host Neuroscience Day
March 31, 2009 - News Release
One of the most influential neuroscientists in the world will be at the University of Guelph April 6 as part of "Neuroscience Day" on campus.
Bryan Kolb, whose work has fuelled new treatments for victims of stroke, Alzheimer's, drug abuse and head injuries, will give a public lecture on "Brain Plasticity and Behaviour" at 2:30 p.m. at the Arboretum.
His talk is part of a daylong celebration of neuroscience research at U of G that runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other highlights include oral presentations by graduate students and post-doctoral researchers from 10 a.m. to noon and a poster session. The event is free and open to everyone.
Kolb is known as the founding father of behavioural neuroscience in Canada. His research focuses on how neurons in the cerebral cortex change in response to experiences, drugs, hormones and injury, and how these changes influence behaviours. He was the first to demonstrate how new brain cells grow and restore cerebral function and that certain stimulants produce permanent changes in neuronal structure.
A professor of neuroscience at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Kolb is the author of several books and more than 300 articles and book chapters. He is a former president of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science and former president of the Experimental Division of the Canadian Psychological Association.
U of G's neuroscience program spans several colleges and disciplines, including psychology, biomedical sciences, clinical studies, human health and nutritional sciences, animal and poultry science, molecular and cellular biology and integrative biology.
The University just received approval from the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies for a new master's and PhD collaborative neuroscience program. It provides a specialization for students engaged in neuroscience research, allowing them to combine their departmental degree program with multidisciplinary exposure to this rapidly expanding field.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, Ext. 53338, lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Barry Gunn, Ext. 56982, bagunn@uoguelph.ca.
