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Overview

The BRAIN Initiative® Conference, previously known as the BRAIN Initiative Meeting, convenes BRAIN Initiative awardees, staff, leadership from contributing federal and non-federal agencies, and anyone interested in neuroscience and BRAIN-funded research.
Now in its tenth year, this hybrid meeting aims to continue building the BRAIN community, provide a forum for discussing exciting scientific developments and potential new directions, and identify areas for collaboration and research coordination.
June 16, 2024: Early career researcher evening networking event
June 17 – June 18, 2024: Plenary talks, posters, symposia sessions, and more.

Preliminary Agenda

Sunday, June 16, 2024

5:00 - 8:00 pm: BRAIN, Neuroscience, and Beyond: Building Our Early Career Community (Location: TBA)
For early career researchers (undergraduate through early associate professor) to socialize and network with one another and BRAIN Initiative staff. This special event includes coordinated networking, mentoring opportunities and information for all career stages.

Monday, June 17, 2024

8:00 - 9:30 am: Poster Session 1 & Exhibits (Location: Grand Ballroom E-H)
Explore this year’s poster hall and interact with BRAIN Initiative scientists presenting their cutting-edge BRAIN Initiative research projects in-person and virtually through the event mobile app. Visit a selection of in-person and virtual exhibit booths and learn about the scientific endeavors of our exhibiting organizations.

9:30 - 9:45 am: BREAK

9:45 - 10:00 am: Welcome (Location: Grand Ballroom A-D)
Dr. John Ngai Director, NIH BRAIN Initiative
Dr. Ngai opens the 10th Annual BRAIN Initiative Conference with an update on The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative followed by the Scholar Spotlight Lightning Talks.

10:00 - 10:15 am: Scholar Spotlight Lightning Talks (Location: Grand Ballroom A-D)

10:15 - 11:15 am: Plenary: Deconstructing the Serotonin System in the Mouse Brain (Location: Grand Ballroom A-D)
Dr. Liqun Leo Stanford University

11:15 am - 12:45 pm: Concurrent Sessions: LUNCH + NETWORKING On your own
Poster Session 2 & Exhibits (Location: Grand Ballroom E-H)

12:45 - 1:00 pm: BREAK

1:00 - 2:30 pm: Concurrent Sessions: Concurrent Symposia 1: TBD (Location: Grand Ballroom A-C)
Concurrent Symposia 2: TBD (Location: Grand Ballroom D)

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: BREAK

2:45 - 4:15 pm: Concurrent Sessions: Concurrent Symposia 3: TBD (Location: Grand Ballroom A-C)
Concurrent Symposia 4: TBD (Location: Grand Ballroom D)

4:15 - 4:45 pm: BREAK

4:45 - 6:15 pm: Building on a Decade of Innovation (Location: TBD)
Join us for an afternoon conversation reflecting on the groundbreaking impact of 10 years of BRAIN-funded science and what's still to come. More details coming soon. You don’t want to miss this event!

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

8:00 - 9:30 am: Poster Session 3 & Exhibits (Location: Grand Ballroom E-H)
Explore this year’s poster hall and interact with BRAIN Initiative scientists as they present their cutting-edge BRAIN Initiative research projects in-person and virtually through the event mobile app. Visit a selection of in-person and virtual exhibit booths and learn about the scientific endeavors of the participating organizations.

9:30 - 9:45 am: BREAK

9:45 - 10:00 am: Welcome: Day Two (Location: Grand Ballroom A-D)
Dr. John Ngai Director, NIH BRAIN Initiative

10:00 - 11:00 am: Plenary: Blood-Brain Barrier: Friend and Foe (Location: Grand Ballroom A-D)
Dr. Viviana Gradinaru Caltech

11:00 - 11:15 am: BREAK

11:15 am - 12:15 pm: Specialty Sessions and Networking (Location: TBD)

12:15 - 1:45 pm: LUNCH + NETWORKING + EXHIBITS

1:45 - 3:15 pm: Concurrent Sessions: Concurrent Symposia 5: TBD (Location: Grand Ballroom A-C)
Concurrent Symposia 6: TBD (Location: Grand Ballroom D)

3:15 - 3:30 pm: BREAK

3:30 - 4:30 pm: Meet the Funders Networking Session - open to all attendees (Location: TBD)
Networking opportunity for trainees and researchers to connect with agency and partner organizations staff to learn about funding opportunities.
Meet and mingle with representatives from the following organizations:
- NIH BRAIN Initiative Staff
- Simons Foundation
- Kavli Foundation
- National Science Foundation

4:45 – 5:30 pm: Wrap up: The Future of the BRAIN Initiative
Dr. John Ngai Director, NIH BRAIN Initiative

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