Skip to main content

August 2008 – The 12th annual Research Day held by the Department of Cell & Molecular Physiology will focus on the theme of “Human Neurological Disorders: From Autism to Alzheimer’s.”

LINK TO RESEARCH DAY PHOTOS >>

This annual event serves to introduce our research to new students and faculty, and to promote productive scientific interactions and collaborations throughout the Health Science programs within and beyond UNC-Chapel Hill. (Download flyer here [pdf].)

  • Online registration [Registration Deadline: Monday, August 11 by 5PM]
  • Department members: Guidelines for posters and abstracts

Human Neurological Disorders: From Autism to Alzheimer’s

Schedule of Events:

piven
Dr. Joe Piven

10:30AM – 11:30 AM: “Imaging the Developing Brain in Autism”
Joe Piven, M.D.
Bioinformatics Building, Auditorium (Room 1131)

Dr. Piven is the Sarah Graham Kenan Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychology, and Director of the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Center at UNC Chapel Hill. Dr. Piven’s research is focused on the pathogenesis of autism including neural mechanisms, genetic basis and neuropsychological and behavioral phenotypes. His talk with address how early neurodevelopmental disorders contribute to neurological problems and lead to behavioral abnormalities as seen in children with Autism spectrum disorders. Using state-of-the-art brain imaging methods to gain insight into early developmental changes may be helpful in designing cognitive and/or therapeutic interventions to combat Autism.

11:45 AM – 1:00PM: Lunch for registered attendees
MBRB, Ground Floor Lobby

sisodia
Dr. Sam Sisodia

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: “Function and Dysfunction of Presenilins in Alzheimer’s Disease”
Sam Sisodia, Ph.D.
Medical Biomolecular Research Building (MBRB), Ground Floor Auditorium (Room G202)

Dr. Sisodia is the Thomas A. Reynolds Sr. Family Professor of Neurosciences at the University of Chicago. He is a leading expert on the molecular and cell biology of Alzheimer’s disease pathology. He has been at the forefront of learning how the familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) genes, including the amyloid precursor protein and the presenilins, function normally, and how they contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis. Recently, Dr. Sisodia’s studies have shown that in mice, exercise has a remarkable ability to protect against Alzheimer’s disease pathology by favorably changing gene activity in the brain.

02:15 – 03:15 PM: Poster session #1 (2nd Floor Lobby MBRB)
Department members present their research
Guidelines and instructions for posters and submission of abstracts >>

03:15 – 03:45 PM: Coffee break

03:45 – 04:45 PM: Poster session #2 (2nd Floor Lobby MBRB)
Department members present their research

05:00 – 05:15 PM: Poster prize distribution

05:30 – 07:00 PM: Reception at the Carolina Inn for registered attendees