Scientific rigor is about trying to make sure that our experimental design, analytical techniques, and how we interpret, reproduce, and replicate data are strong enough that we can make sure we are on the right path for scientific discovery.

How can you make neuroscience interesting and not scary to non-science majors? As Marc Breedlove, professor of neuroscience at Michigan State University, explains, it’s all about presenting the science in an accessible way.

Neuroscientists are now collecting datasets of unprecedented scale thanks to technological advances. Yet, there are many unanswered questions that must be addressed to keep moving the field forward. In this webinar moderated by Gardiner von Trapp, panelists Michael Miller, Richard Myers, and Pascal Wallisch discuss: What types of research problems can a data-science approach solve? How will neuroscientists analyze large-scale data sets most effectively, and with what tools? What training challenges do mentors and trainees face for implementing large-scale data science practices? What skills are valuable for neuroscientists to have to successfully understand and adopt this approach?

Most studies of plasticity in the nervous system focus on mechanisms regulating the synaptic connectivity between neurons.

Scientific rigor means implementing the highest standards and best practices of the scientific method and applying those to one’s research.

Material below is adapted from the SfN Short Course, Modeling Predisposition to Schizophrenia, a Genetically Heterogeneous Neuropsychiatric Disorder, Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, by Seok-Man Ho, BSc, Erin Flaherty, BSc, and Kristen J. Brennand, PhD. Short Courses are day-long scientific trainings on emerging neuroscience topics and research techniques held just prior to SfN’s annual meeting. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder affecting approximately one percent of the world population. In recent years, scientists have employed animal models and genome-wide association studies to gain important insights into the biological underpinnings of schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear exactly how environmental and genetic factors interact to increase the risk for this debilitating disease.

Material below summarizes the article, Pleiotropic Control by Testosterone of a Learned Vocal Behavior and Its Underlying Neuroplasticity, published on January 12, 2016, in eNeuro and authored by Beau A. Alward, Farrah N. Madison, Shannon E. Parker, Jacques Balthazart, and Gregory F. Ball. Adaptive variation in behavior often involves dynamic changes in different brain regions (neuroplasticity) that form a regulatory circuit. Steroid hormones can profoundly modulate behavior in multiple ways: generally, such as alteration of arousal, or specifically, such as enhancing a particular sensory experience.

The following Q&A is adapted from the webinar, Neuroscience Training Programs without Borders.

As we gain traction in curing diseases, one of the biggest battles still being fought is the problem of chronic pain.

Part of being a scientist today is also being an educator and public servant.