SfN-Sponsored Socials
All SfN-Sponsored Socials will be held at McCormick Place. These events are open to all registered annual meeting attendees.
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Social
Chair: Brian KraemerCo-Chairs: Laura Blair
Location: MCP Room N228
MCP Room N228. Join us to socialize and exchange ideas with others interested in the neuroscience of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders. This will be a primarily social event.
Black In Neuro Social
Chair: Thiago ArzuaLocation: MCP Room N226
MCP Room N226. All neuroscientists are invited to mingle and network with the Black In Neuro Community in the third annual Black In Neuro Social at SfN! This event will center around a facilitated space for scientists to connect, share, and celebrate their accomplishments over the past year, as well as a brief update on the exciting things Black In Neuro has achieved as a community. Follow @BlackInNeuro on X, YouTube, and Instagram, and be sure to check out the member database on BlackInNeuro.com!
Development of the Cerebral Cortex: from Embryos to Organoids Social
Chair: Paola ArlottaCo-Chairs: Leah Krubitzer
Location: MCP Room N139
Guests: Debby Silver, Aparna Bhaduri, Tomasz Nowakowski, Pasko Rakic, Hongkui Zeng, Nenad Sestan, John Rubenstein, Leah krubitzer, Liqun Luo, Larry Swanson
MCP Room N139. Much remains unknown about the development of the cerebral cortex, and whether this orchestrated process can be studied outside the embryo, within brain organoids, stem cell-derived experimental avatars of the developing brain. This social will provide an opportunity for interested scientists to gather in an informal, social setting. 5–6 experts in the field will be invited as a way to allow trainees and colleagues from other areas of neuroscience to mingle and share ideas.
Dignity Neuroscience Social
Chair: Tara WhiteLocation: MCP Room N135
MCP Room N135. This social will connect individuals in the SfN community interested in dignity neuroscience, an emerging field connecting neuroscience and human rights. Topic domains include the five elemental types of universal human rights: (1) agency, autonomy and self-determination; (2) freedom from want; (3) freedom from fear; (4) uniqueness; and (5) unconditionality, including protections for vulnerable populations. Interested individuals at all levels of training are encouraged to attend!
Diversity in STEM Research Social
Chair: Stefano CataldiLocation: MCP Room N140
Guests: Jared Young, Avila Irene, Dionna Williams
MCP Room N140. Building community is a crucial step in supporting women, individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ individuals in STEM. This event aims to foster a safe work environment in research institutions. Following a highly attended similar event last year, the organizers successfully established a network collaborating on new policies to enhance diversity in research. The goal of the organizers is to host this event again, emphasizing the significance of amplifying underrepresented voices.
Eye Movements Social
Chair: Richard KrauzlisCo-Chairs: Linda McLoon
Location: MCP Room N133
Guests: Raj Gandhi, Jeff Schall, Marisa Carrasco, Terry Stanford, Mike Shadlen, John Crawford, Steve Lisberger, Kathy Cullen, Marc Sommer
MCP Room N133. Interested in eye movements? This social is open to everyone, including those who study fundamental sensory or motor aspects of eye movements, use eye movements as a window to study higher-order brain processes like perception and cognition, or focus on the links between eye movements and clinical disorders. All are welcome at this inaugural eye movement social. This is a great opportunity for graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to network, share ideas, and make new friends.
Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) Social
Chair: Jacqueline RoseCo-Chairs: Yuanyuan Kang
Location: MCP Room N231
MCP Room N231. This social will focus on building connections within the undergraduate neuroscience community. Open to all who are interested in socializing and exchanging ideas with others around best practices in undergraduate neuroscience research and education. There will also be a brief program with award presentations.
Neuroethology Social
Chair: Wolfgang SteinCo-Chairs: Margaret DeMaegd
Location: MCP Room N136
Guests: Angie Michaiel
MCP Room N136. With brief presentations, this social will celebrate neuroethology and the role the nervous system plays in producing natural behaviors. All members of the neuroscience community are welcome, in particular those who work on the neural basis of behavior. This social provides an opportunity to discuss new and interesting concepts, make new connections, and a way to meet friends and colleagues. Postdocs and students are particularly encouraged to drop in for socializing and networking.
New Faculty Diversity Social
Chair: Hector ArciniegaCo-Chairs: Kirsten Schoonover
Location: MCP Room N132
MCP Room N132. This social is designed for new faculty members from diverse backgrounds to connect and network with one another. This social event aims to provide a platform for attendees in similar career stages to foster networking opportunities, initiate collaborations, and build support systems.
Open-Source Technology Social
Chair: Samantha WhiteCo-Chairs: Sean Bradley
Location: MCP Room N129
MCP Room N129. Socialize and exchange ideas with researchers developing and using open-source tools for neuroscience research. Chat with the people behind the projects and learn about the wide variety of open-source tools that can help your experiments be more robust, reliable, and creative. Join this social for an evening of fun, and the opportunity to even find a new collaborator for an open-source project!
Yes and!: Engaging Neuroscientists and Society Through Improv Theater Social
Chair: Robert DuncanCo-Chairs: Bibi Sulaman
Location: MCP Room N134
MCP Room N134. What do improv comedians and scientists have in common? More than one would think! In this social, have fun getting to know fellow scientists through improv games — and bolster communication skills at the same time. The organizers will introduce improv concepts and then relish in the levity. Come play with friends and colleagues using simple, interactive games accessible to new improvers and veterans alike. Or sit back, watch, and laugh along.
Cerebellum Social
Chair: Alanna WattCo-Chairs: Catherine Stoodley
Location: MCP Room N137
Guests: Indira Raman, Sam Wang, Kathleen Cullen, Jennifer Raymond, Megan Carey, Roy Sillitoe, Kamran Khodakhah
MCP Room N137. The Cerebellum Social brings together scientists and clinicians from all areas of neuroscience. The event will be primarily a social gathering, although it will also provide a platform to highlight accomplishments in the field, identify avenues for collaboration, and discuss opportunities for advancing cerebellar science. The goal is to continue to build the cerebellar community by fostering participation from the field at large.
Glia Social
Chair: Beth StevensCo-Chairs: Shane Liddelow
Location: MCP Room N231
Guests: Corey Harwell, Michael Heneka, Dorothy Schafer, Erin Gibson, Klaus Nave, Jony Kipnis, Asya Rolls
MCP Room N231. This social will provide an opportunity for all who are interested in neuron-glia interactions, and neuroimmunology more broadly, to get together and consider major scientific questions and challenges in this field. This is an opportunity for glial researchers, investigators new to the field, and trainees to network and get to know each other and meet leaders in the field. This is especially important post-pandemic with fewer opportunities for newer trainees and scientists entering the glial field.
Global Neuroscience Social
Chair: Joshua JohansenLocation: MCP Room N228
Guests: Haruhiko Bito, Anthony Hannan, Mihaela Iordonova, Dayu Lin, Yukiko Goda, Bong-Kiun Kaang, Han Sung, Shona Chattarji, Kei Igarashi, Sayaka Inoue
MCP Room N228. Different countries have different ways of doing science. Pursuing science in other countries enriches our lives and provides new career perspectives. Since 2018, the Global Neuroscience Social has promoted interactions between neuroscientists from around the world. This social will highlight the study of emotional brain states with short presentations from Sayaka Inoue and Sung Han about their personal and professional experiences running labs outside their home countries. X: @GlobalNeurosci1
Latin American Women in Neuroscience: Empowerment Through Collaboration Social
Chair: Dina Iathzil Vázquez CarrilloCo-Chairs: Laura Baquedano Santana
Location: MCP Room N140
Guests: Ana Valencia-Olvera, Cintia Vazquez-Delgado
MCP Room N140. This social will establish a platform for Latin American women in neuroscience and allies to collaborate and network. The organizers aim to open conversations about women's professional and personal challenges in neurosciences and find solutions through international collaborations. This SfN social will allow attendees to build new connections and reconnect with old friends who share the goal of promoting neuroscience development in Latin America.
LGBTQIA2S+ Social
Chair: Dionna WilliamsCo-Chairs: Vishnu Murty
Location: MCP Room N138
Guests: Merron Woodbury, Vishnu Murty
MCP Room N138. Come meet and network with other queer neuroscientists! This social will provide an opportunity for LGBTQIA2S+ folks at all different career stages to connect, meet a few trailblazers in the queer neuroscience community, and make new friends. Join this social for a round of icebreaker activities followed by informal networking. All are welcome.
Marmoset Social
Chair: Zachary DavisCo-Chairs: Lauri Nurminen
Location: MCP Room N135
MCP Room N135. In this social, after a brief period of announcements, the participants will play data slide roulette. Trainees will submit slides of their data and the participants will try to present a random slide as if it were their own. This format helps showcase data and methods and gives trainees the opportunity to practice public speaking. Later the floor will be open for discussion of issues relevant to the use of the marmoset model in neuroscience research, followed by socialization.
Non-Traditional Academic Careers Social
Chair: Kristin WebsterCo-Chairs: Jennifer Blackwell
Location: MCP Room N134
Guests: Heather McKellar, Kelley Remole, Alycia Mosley Austin, Lique Coolen, Taralyn Tan
MCP Room N134. Work in academia but not in a research lab? Work as a project coordinator, program manager, director, or dean? Interested in learning more about these jobs? This social will bring together neuroscience academic administrators and those interested in learning more about this career path. This event will include a mix-and-match icebreaker to ensure all attendees expand their connections.
Official Paraventricular Nucleus of the Thalamus (PVT) Social
Chair: Jessica BarsonCo-Chairs: Seema Bhatnagar
Location: MCP Room N132
Guests: Rémi Martin-Fardon, Rajani Maiya, Gavan McNally, Tallie Z Baram, Gilbert Kirouac, Mario Penzo, James Otis, Shelly Flagel
MCP Room N132. The PVT is the place to be! The crucial role of the (PVT) in brain function, including in circadian rhythm, sleep, fear and stress behavior, memory and learning, and especially affective and motivated behaviors, including drug-seeking, have been topics of increasing emphasis in neuroscience. This social will bring together neuroscientists from across disciplines and career stages to share their enthusiasm for the PVT. Please join in!
Social Neuroscience Social
Chair: Steve ChangCo-Chairs: Ziv Williams, Nancy Padilla-Coreano
Location: MCP Room N136
Guests: Monique Smith, Ann Kennedy, Ismail Ahmed, Caroline Robertson
MCP Room N136. There has been an increase in research interest in studying the neural bases of social cognition. In this multi-disciplinary event, investigators studying neural mechanisms of social behaviors in different species (humans, nonhuman primates, rodents, other species) and at different levels (areas, circuits, cell types) will get together to discuss how their work informs one another. A brief panel-based discussion session will be followed by interactions among researchers.
The Confound Hour: Let's Make Some Noise! Social
Chair: Megan HagenauerCo-Chairs: Rachel Leeson
Location: MCP Room N226
MCP Room N226. Had an experiment tank this year? Now is the time to shine! At this social, the organizers want to hear about the most beautiful confounds, artifacts, lab accidents, and disastrous mistakes. Come share tales of scientific woe to raucous cheers! The best stories will be awarded with drink tickets. Attendees of this social will also play games that celebrate our heroic (sometimes mortifying) troubleshooting efforts, culminating in the coronation of a winner of the 2024 “Stuck To It” golden duct tape award.
Arabs in Neuro Social
Chair: Mohamed AbdelhackCo-Chairs: Yasmine Bassil
Location: MCP Room N140
Guests: Karim Jerbi, Ubadah Sabbagh, Rawan Alsubaie
MCP Room N140. Arabs in Neuroscience (AiN) invites neuroscientists at SfN to mingle, network, and engage with the Arabs in Neuro community! This social will largely provide a freeform space for community members to socialize, foster connections, and build a supportive network with members and allies of Arabs in Neuro. It will also include a brief presentation with updates on the progress of AiN projects and initiatives. Follow @ArabsInNeuro on X for more information.
Art of Neuroscience Social
Chair: Paula CroxsonCo-Chairs: Christine Liu
Location: MCP Room N135
Guests: Katleen Sluka, Samantha Montoya, H. Kathleen Childress, Geinene Carson, Jaya Viswanathan, Amanda Preske, Michele Banks, Siddharth Ramakrishnan
MCP Room N135. Neuroscientists and artists are invited to come together and celebrate neuroscience-inspired art! The organizers encourage attendees to submit their own artwork to be displayed in a gallery format, where attendees can view the artwork and mingle in an informal setting. This social welcomes multiple formats of artwork from scientists, artists, and those who would describe themselves as both!
Chemosensory Science Social — Come Smell and Taste! Social
Chair: Debra Ann FadoolCo-Chairs: Roberto Vincis
Location: MCP Room N132
Guests: D. Mathew Wachowiak, Christina Zelano, Jessica H. Brann, Andreas Schaefer, Bob Datta, Marta Yanina Pepino de Gruev, Johsua M. Levy, Leslie M. Kay
MCP Room N132. All are welcome to socialize, smell, and taste at this gathering focusing on sensory systems, particularly chemical senses. Invited guests will informally share their experiences in the field, discoveries, job insights, and upcoming engagements in the discipline. This social will provide a venue for members of all career levels and backgrounds to network, forge new collaborations, discuss new research trajectories, and be introduced to new colleagues.
Childhood Adversity Social
Chair: Abhidi BrahnmathLocation: MCP Room N129
MCP Room N129. This social will spark diverse discussion on the long-term impacts of childhood adversity. In this formative period, crucial concepts are internalized, but adverse experiences become intensified. This impacts neuroplasticity, rewires circuits, and structurally changes cognition, emotional regulation, and response. Researchers, professors, and newcomers to the field are invited to connect and collaborate, creating solutions that ensure the happiness of future generations into adolescence and adulthood.
LGBTQI+ Neuroscience Workforce Social
Chair: Irene AvilaCo-Chairs: Carol Hubner
Location: MCP Room N134
Guests: David Pagliaccio, Jenny Panlilio, Christopher Barnhart, Eric Hudak, Stefano Cataldi, Danie Greene, Jonathan King, Milo Taylor
MCP Room N134. We cordially invite you to a social for members of the neuroscience workforce who identify as LGBTQI+ and their allies. This event is for anyone interested in sexual and gender minority health research, workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, this event is for you! This event will be an excellent opportunity to network with fellow neuroscientists who share common interests. In addition, program staff from the National Institutes of Health will be in attendance. All are welcome.
Locus Coeruleus Social
Chair: Natale SciolinoCo-Chairs: Barry Waterhouse
Location: MCP Room N228
Guests: Craig Berridge, Jordan McCall, Lindsay Schwarz, Joshua Johansen, Rita Valentino, Patricia Jensen
MCP Room N228. The study of the locus coeruleus is attracting new attention due to recently developed tools that have the power to reveal novel characteristics and functions of neuromodulatory circuits. This social is organized to encourage networking among new and experienced researchers studying locus coeruleus anatomy, physiology, and behavioral functions. There will be opportunities for networking, stimulating new collaborations, and competing in a trivia game moderated by a “surprise guest.”
Natives in Neuroscience Social
Chair: Lauren McLester-DavisCo-Chairs: Dominic Acri
Location: MCP Room N133
MCP Room N133. Neuroscientists of all backgrounds are invited to network with members of the Natives In Neuro community! During the social, our board will introduce themselves and provide an update on the events of the past year. This will be an opportunity to meet with Indigenous neuroscientists from all over the world and a chance to identify potential mentors in this growing network. Stay in touch with the organizers on X @NativesInNeuro or join the mailing list by sending an email to nativesinneuro@gmail.com.
Psychopharmacology Social
Chair: Stan FlorescoCo-Chairs: Erin Calipari, Jill McGaughy
Location: MCP Room N138
Guests: Jill McGaughy (co-chair), Patricia Janak, Carrie Ferrario, Zoe McElligott, Jared Young, Erin Calipari (co-chair)
MCP Room N138. This social will bring together experts in mind-altering substances. The well-dressed hosts will facilitate meeting others in the field, relaxing after a long day of Neuroscience 2024 with a favorite beverage, and grooving to a psychopharmacology-inspired playlist. Participate in the psychopharmacology discussions to build knowledge and networks. Intermingling between more senior scientists and trainees is strongly encouraged, and all are welcome.
Somatosensation and Interoception Social
Chair: Rebecca SealCo-Chairs: Sarah Ross
Location: MCP Room N226
Guests: Cheryl Stucky, Michael Oshinsky, Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, Uhtaek Oh, Gregory Scherrer, Ellen Lumpkin, Andrea Nackley, Robert Gereau, Allan Basbaum, Jim Gnadt
MCP Room N226. This social intends to connect researchers working in somatosensation, including pain, touch, itch, and also researchers working on interoception. The intent is to foster networking and collaboration within and across these interests. We also want to foster interactions between researchers who study rodent models and those working in non-human primates and humans. Trainees will be particularly encouraged to attend. Discussions will be informal and relaxed.
