Faculty Advisor: Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroscience, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University

Program Start Time: TBD (meetings will take place for around one hour per week)

Research Practicum Introduction

The brain is the most complicated part of the human body, and the most important organ that sets us apart from other species. Depending on where we have been, our brain consistently rewires its circuitry. Our thoughts, minds, dreams, memories, and experiences all arise from neuro material. The firing patterns of electrochemical pluses define who we are as an individual. When those activities change character, who we are is likely to change rapidly.

Brain science is a very fast-moving area of cutting edge research. In this program, we will cover the following topics: 

1. The story develops from the formation of a new brain in the infant and how our brain keeps involving as we grow and mature. In this process, billions of neurons make connections at first, and then trimming based on what we see, what we sense, and what we learn. A fascinating process that helps shape who we are and what we become.

2. Various brain cells form the complex brain, there are neurons, microglial, astrocyte. The story continues by talking about the role each of these neuronal cells are playing and their specific function in the maturation of the brain, and their potential connection with the brain related disorder/diseases. 

3. The genetic and environmental factors of brain development, including but not limited to brain plasticity and their potential correlation with brain disease/disorders.

4. Disruption of different brain regions, at different times leads to different disease/disorder, including, but not limited to Lou Gehrig Disease (also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

At the end of the program, students will build a basic understanding on the development of the brain in general, and learn that neuroscience is a critical area of research, as this might be the last unresolved disease area that needs serious progress. Each student will complete a paper, based on the interests of their own, and a presentation.

Project Topics:

• The development of the brain

• The plasticity of the neuronal network, and how that shapes who we are.

• The genetic and environmental factors for Lou Gehrig Disease

• Arising aging issue, and potential crisis in aging related diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

• How the neuronal network helps with memory formation, motor movement and how all other activities affect our daily life.

• Various brain cells, neurons, astrocytes, microglial, and their specific roles.

• The connection between glioblastoma and neurodegenerative diseases.

Program Detail

• Cohort Size: 3-5 students

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Workload: Around 4-5 hours per week (including class time and homework time)

• Target Students: 9-12th grade students interested in quantum mechanics, mathematics, theoretical physics and/or computer science.

• Prerequisites: Quantum mechanics is intimately tied to linear algebra. Students should have a good understanding of mathematics, particularly in vectors and matrices. Students should also learn the basics of python.