Amazing Brain Science Talks 2024: Celebrating the Mind
We're happy to announce that the 2024 Amazing Brain Science Talks video recordings are officially live on our YouTube channel. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting your favourite moments, don't miss out on these compelling talks!
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) presented the second edition of the Amazing Brain Science Talks, organized in collaboration with Brain Canada Foundation. Held at the PHI Centre in Montreal, the event was a great success, drawing over 100 members for an engaging afternoon focused on brain health. Bringing together mental health advocates and researchers from McGill and Western University, the Amazing Brain Science Talks also featured a scientific poster session by students from HBHL's Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI) program and an interactive art installation by students from McGill and Concordia.
The event began with an introductory talk by Alan Evans, a James McGill Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill and HBHL’s scientific director, followed by Jibran Khokhar, Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Western University, who shed light on the effects on cannabis and vaping on the developing brain.
Jelena Ristic, Professor of Psychology at McGill, then shared insights on the role of eye contact in conversations, while Dr. Adrián Noriega de la Colina, CIHR-Institute of Aging Fellow at the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill and The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) discussed how forecasting brain health can help families prepare for cognitive decline.
Katie Jensen, host and editor of Playing with Marbles, Brain Canada’s English-language podcast, gave a powerful firsthand account of life with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Gabriel Blanco Gomez, PhD student in neuroscience at McGill, then explored the fascinating question, “Why do humans have language?”
Two lively Q&A sessions allowed attendees to engage directly with the speakers. Finally, Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, offered closing remarks, highlighting the importance of continued research for brain health.
Designed to demystify brain science for a broad audience, the second edition of the Amazing Brain Science Talks was a resounding success. Thank you to all speakers and attendees! To view the full photo album, check out the official Amazing Brain Science Talks website.
Photo credits: Owen Egan
