[FUN_Mail] Highlighting diversity in neuroscience

Tue Dec 18 15:26:18 EST 2018

Hi Kristen and all,

I teach at an HSI, so I like to try to highlight Latinx contributions to
neuroscience.  Two I've found that students connect to are Paul Bach-Y-Rita
and Miguel Nicolelis.

Bach-y-Rita grew up in Mexico.  He was a visionary in terms of thinking
about neuroplasticity and helped develop sensory substitution devices.  The
company he helped found, BrainPort, has been making great advances treating
vertigo, stroke-induced balance problems, and other disorders through
sensory subsitution.  There's a great short overview of his research and
legacy here: https://vimeo.com/59755393 ... it's really an incredible story.

And, of course, Nicolelis is famous for his work decoding the motor cortex
and developing neuroprosthetics (including the controversial first kick of
the 2014 World Cup in Brazil).

Both have accessible primary literature articles that students can dig into
as well as good review articles and online talks/documentaries.

Here's a Nicolelis article that merge's with Bach-y-Rita's work, where they
attach infrared light sensors to the head of a rat and pipe the info from
it into the somatosensory cortex...the rats learn to use this information
without loosing somatosensory inputs!
       Thomson EE, Carra R, Nicolelis MAL. 2013. Perceiving invisible light
through a somatosensory cortical prosthesis. Nat Commun 4: 1–7. PMID:
23403583. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms2497.

And here's a pilot trial from Bach-y-Rita's group that examines the use of
the BrainPort to improve balance in stroke patients:
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003999311002486

I'd be happy to hear from more FUN folks about stories/people they
highlight... maybe we should even crowd-source an OSF page as a resource?

Bob

On Sat, Dec 15, 2018 at 8:14 AM William Ju <wmyh.ju at utoronto.ca> wrote:

> Echoing Judith's sentiment - her story is a very interesting/compelling
> one as well!
>
>
> Dr. William Ju, M.Sc., Ph.D.
> Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
> University of Toronto
> ------------------------------
> *From:* FUN_Mail <fun_mail-bounces at lists.funfaculty.org> on behalf of
> Judith Ogilvie <judith.ogilvie at slu.edu>
> *Sent:* Friday, December 14, 2018 10:50:42 PM
> *To:* Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: [FUN_Mail] Highlighting diversity in neuroscience
>
> If you include any development in your course, consider some of Rita
> Levi-Montalcini’s classic papers.  She has a compelling personal story.
> - Judy Ogivie
>
>
> On Dec 14, 2018, at 7:52 PM, William Ju <wmyh.ju at utoronto.ca> wrote:
>
> Hi Kristen
>
> I  teach a 3rd year neurobiology course (several in fact) and it sounds
> similar in scope to yours. I like to highlight the work of Carl Hart
> (African American psychologist and chair of Culumbia University) as well as
> Ben Barres (born Barbara Barres). There are also more controversial ones
> that I highlight - and happy to discuss these too! Great to see this
> working in to mainstream neuro and would love to see the assignments you
> develop around these (and would love to compare)
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Bill
>
>
> Dr. Bill Ju, M.Sc., Ph.D.
> Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
> University of Toronto
> ------------------------------
> *From:* FUN_Mail <fun_mail-bounces at lists.funfaculty.org> on behalf of
> Frenzel, Kristen E <kfrenze at emory.edu>
> *Sent:* Friday, December 14, 2018 5:00:24 PM
> *To:* fun_mail at lists.funfaculty.org
> *Subject:* [FUN_Mail] Highlighting diversity in neuroscience
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> I teach an Introduction to Neurobiology course which covers
> neurophysiology, cellular basis of learning and memory and some sensory and
> motor systems. I like to use research from classic or current papers to
> highlight these concepts and I’d like to increase the diversity of
> scientists that I highlight. To that end, I’m looking for suggestions of
> papers that are from diverse scientists, in all the ways that is defined,
> that are related to the course concepts. The students love to hear details
> about the scientists so any background information or back story about the
> science would be welcome.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Kristen
>
>
>
> Kristen Frenzel, Ph.D.
>
> Associate Director and Senior Lecturer
>
> Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology Program
>
> Emory University
>
> Office: 404-727-1317
>
> Cell: 678-362-9318
>
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-- 
-------------------
Bob Calin-Jageman
Professor, Psychology
Neuroscience Program Director
210 Parmer Hall
Dominican University
7900 West Division Street
River Forest, IL 60305
v: 708.524.6581  f: 708.524.5990
http://dr-bob.homeip.net
rcalinjageman at dom.edu
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