Global brain research campaign turns 20

The College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences along with the Winnipeg Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience (WCSN) has planned a number of engaging public events to raise the profile of Brain Awareness Week (BAW).

This is the first time that the local chapter has held a series of events to mark BAW, a global movement aimed to increase public awareness of the progress and benefits of brain research. The Dana Foundation led initiative celebrates 20 years with a weeklong campaign that runs from March 16-22.

Each year partner organizations host creative and innovative activities in their communities to educate kids and adults about the brain. In 2014 there were more than 860 events held in 55 countries.

Dr. Sari Hannila, director of outreach for the WCSN, says diseases of the brain are becoming increasingly common, particularly with an ageing population.

“These are diseases that affect people of all ages and backgrounds,” explains the Assistant Professor of Human Anatomy and Cell Science (College of Medicine). “We want to give students and the general public the opportunity to learn more about these conditions and the brain in general, and tell them about the innovative research that is being done here at the University of Manitoba and across Canada.”

Event lineup:

PUBLIC LECTURES

“Neurogenetics and neurodegeneration”
Monday, March 16
6:30 p.m. – Bannatyne Campus, 727 McDermot Avenue

Click  for event info

Presented by Matthew Farrer, MD
Canada Excellence Research Chair in Neurogenetics and Translational Neuroscience;
Professor, Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia

Keeping Your Head in the Game: How Concussions Affect the Brain

Café Scientifique
Wednesday, March 18
7:00 p.m. – McNally Robinson Booksellers, 1120 Grant Avenue, Winnipeg

Click for event info

In addition to the public lectures, the WCSN has planned an inaugural “Brain Bee” challenge. The full day event will be held at the U of M’s Bannatyne Campus on Saturday, March 21; high school students from across the city are invited to participate in a morning competition followed by hands-on activities in the afternoon.

One winner will be selected to move on to the 2015 Canadian National Brain Bee (supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research).