Grand Challenges Brain and Neuroscience

UVA LAUNCHES $75M NEUROSCIENCE CHALLENGE WITH ALZHEIMER’S, AUTISM, OTHER BRAIN RESEARCH

See UVA Today story here.

Neuroscience

The University of Virginia announced Friday it will invest more than $75 million in an interdisciplinary effort to pioneer life-changing advances in neuroscience while simultaneously mapping the workings of the human brain.

One of UVA’s ambitious Grand Challenge Research Initiatives, the neuroscience push will help scientists better understand perplexing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism, as well as how the brain functions over a lifespan.

The Grand Challenge in neuroscience’s initial studies will:

  • Investigate why caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients are more likely to develop dementia than their peers who don’t serve as caregivers.
  • Test the capacity for focused ultrasound to help deliver immunological therapies across the brain’s protective barrier.
  • Catalog neurodiversity among the many forms of autism to develop enhanced interventions and educational approaches for students from early childhood onward.
  • Deploy multiple technologies to better understand the brain’s overall circuitry and development.

“A further advantage of making these investments is that it will put us in position to develop a world-leading comprehensive neuroscience institute, along the lines of a comprehensive cancer center,” Provost Baucom said.

The University will make more than 20 strategic faculty hires to help with the research, and initiate the Next Generation Scholars program, which will recruit and train 15 outstanding post-doctoral researchers, with an emphasis on diversifying the field.  

The University Grand Challenges Fund is providing $50 million of the total investment, with UVA Health and the partnering schools collectively contributing another $25 million. Some investments, such as a data analytics center and additional library resources, will benefit researchers in many areas across Grounds. About $10 million will go toward equipment and research cores, including a clinical trials unit.

“We want to take what we learn all the way to the clinic, where our patients can share in advances,” Jaideep Kapur said.

The neuroscience investment was one of two Grand Challenges announced Friday at the Board of Visitors’ meeting, along with one focused on climate change and environmental resilience, for a combined infusion of about $140 million.

This effort is being led by the UVA Brain Institute. 

Brain and Neuroscience Project Teams

Identifying Subtypes of Autism, and Identifying and Testing Effective Interventions

  • Jaideep Kapur, Professor (SOM)
  • Kevin Pelphrey, Professor, Neurology (A&S, SOM)
  • Micah Mazurek, Professor, Education (SEHD)
  • Adema Ribic, Assistant Professor, Psychology (A&S)
  • Jack Van Horn, Professor, Psychology and Data Science  (SDS and A&S)

Alzheimer’s Patient/Caregiver Dyad Study, Including Identifying and Testing Effective Interventions for Both Patients and Caregivers

 

  •  Carol Manning, Professor, Neurology
  • Ishan Williams, Associate Professor (Nursing)
  • Mimi Riley (Law, ethics, and medicine)
  • John Lukens, Associate Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
  • Heather Ferris, Assistant Professor, Endocrinologist (SOM)

Using Focused Ultrasound to Overcome the Blood-Brain Barrier in Order to Deliver Immune-Based Therapies

  • Harold Sontheimer, Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
  • Tajie Harris, Associate Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
  • Ukpong Eyo, Assistant Professor, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia Neuroscience Department, (SOM)
  • James Stone, Associate Professor, Radiology & Medical Imaging, Department of Neurological Surgery (SOM)
  • Fred Epstein, Professor, Radiology & Biomedical Engineering (SEAS)

Cognitive and Developmental Neuroscience

 

  • Howard Goodkin, Professor (SOM)
  • JC Cang, Professor, Biology & Psychology (A&S)
  • Emily Solari, Professor, Reading Education, Director, UVA Reading & Phonological Awareness Literacy Screener (PALS); (SEHD)
  • Sarah Kucenas, Professor, Biology (A&S)
  • Mark Beenhakker,  Associate Professor, Pharmacology (SOM)

Grand Challenges Brain and Neuroscience Forum

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November 9, 2021 - 12:30PM-6:00PM at the Rotunda Dome Room. Registration required. 

Livestream link: https://youtu.be/T6InJ1ABs84

Agenda:

12:30-12:45 pm    Opening Session/Welcome 

12:45-1:30 pm  Cognitive/Developmental Neuroscience – Early detection of intellectual and physical disabilities

  • Moderator: Howard Goodkin, Professor (SOM)
  • JC Cang, Professor, Biology & Psychology (A&S)
  • Emily Solari, Professor, Reading Education, Director, UVA Reading & Phonological Awareness Literacy Screener (PALS); (SEHD)
  • Sarah Kucenas, Professor, Biology (A&S)
  • Mark Beenhakker,  Associate Professor, Pharmacology (SOM)

1:30-1:50 pm                Discussion

Watch

1:50-2:00 pm                Break

2:00-2:45 pm  Autism: Molecules to Minds

  • Moderator: Jaideep Kapur, Professor (SOM)
  • Kevin Pelphrey, Professor, Neurology (A&S, SOM)
  • Micah Mazurek, Professor, Education (SEHD)
  • Adema Ribic, Assistant Professor, Psychology (A&S)
  • Jack Van Horn, Professor, Psychology and Data Science  (SDS and A&S)

2:45-3:05 pm  Discussion

3:05-3:20 pm    Jim Ryan, President

Watch

3:20-3:30 pm   Break

3:30-4:15 pm  Conquering Challenges at the Intersection of Neuro-imaging and Neuroimmunology

  • Moderator: Harold Sontheimer, Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
  • Tajie Harris, Associate Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
  • Ukpong Eyo, Assistant Professor, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia Neuroscience Department, (SOM)
  • James Stone, Associate Professor, Radiology & Medical Imaging, Department of Neurological Surgery (SOM)
  • Fred Epstein, Professor, Radiology & Biomedical Engineering (SEAS)

4:15-4:35 pm   Discussion

Watch

4:35-4:45 pm   Break

4:45-5:30 pm   Neurodegeneration: Causes, Treatments, and Societal Impact

  • Moderator: Carol Manning, Professor, Neurology
  • Ishan Williams, Associate Professor (Nursing)
  • Mimi Riley (Law, ethics, and medicine)
  • John Lukens, Associate Professor, Neuroscience (SOM)
  • Heather Ferris, Assistant Professor, Endocrinologist (SOM)

5:30-5:50 pm    Discussion

Watch

5:50-6:00 pm   Closing comments 

6:00 pm       Reception (Multipurpose Room)

Use IdeaNote to share ideas on Brain and Neuroscience topics discussed. Find instructions on how to set up an account and use IdeaNote here.

 

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Idea Generation Events

Share ideas and suggestions through September 10, 2021 via the IdeaNote platform available both on the ERI and Brain pages and directly listed below to help refine areas for university investment.

Brain and Neuroscience