Fourth-Annual Neurosciences Fair
“Building capacity, Empowering students, Experiential learning and Fostering excellence.”
The Annual Nerusciences Fair promotes interprofessional collaboration. Georgian students, professors and librarians from all programs at all campuses are invited to present posters on topics related to the nervous system.
- Wednesday, March 25, 2020
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Barrie Campus
Event update
Notice of cancellation
After careful consideration amid COVID-19, Georgian College has made the difficult decision to cancel our annual Neurosciences Fair scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 at the Barrie Campus.At this time, no decision has been made to reschedule the Neurosciences Fair.
Photo gallery
Photos from the 3rd Neurosciences Fair
How to participate
Posters can focus on
- computation neurosciences
- robotics and artificial intelligence
- neurological disorders
- addiction and mental health
- nutrition and the brain
- developmental
- gender and sexual orientation
- dentistry
- anatomy and physiology of the nervous system
- massage therapy
- community nursing education
- nursing assessment
- teaching, learning and cognition
- psychology/psychiatry
- drugs and the brain
- emergency medicine
- acupuncture
- speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and assistive devices
- molecular genetics
- data analysis
- diagnostic tools, tests and assessments
- vision and eye movement
- central control of motor function
- research reviews
- history of neurosciences
- teaching of neurosciences in high schools and colleges
- careers in neurosciences
and much more
Poster guidelines
Posters must be done on a large PowerPoint printed poster (48 in. by 36 in.) OR Bristol Board of the same size so that it can be easily pinned to the poster display board.
Not sure if your area fits into neurosciences?
Ask yourself: Does it have any component that relates to the nervous system? Yes? Then, you are part of the large neurosciences community!
Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
We offer you an opportunity to showcase your products and services, and to connect with professor leads, program developers, decision makers and students.
About the neurosciences initiative
Mission statement
Neuroscience is a multi-disciplinary field that helps us better understand how humans interact with the biological and technological world around them. Our mission is to:
- Raise awareness about the field of neurosciences
- Open academic and career pathways for our students
- Build neuroscience research capacity to inform our practices
- Promote innovation
- Prepare our students for an era of artificial intelligence and high-speed information gathering.
What is neurosciences?
Neuroscience is a broad field of study encompassing numerous disciplines such as anatomy, physiology, mathematics, cognitive behavior, development, clinical rehabilitation, biotechnology, computer sciences, teaching, learning and much more, ultimately rooted in the study of the nervous system.
Everything in our world functions because of our neural networks, they allow us to create, develop, expand, communicate and influence the world around us. Marketing, communication, learning, memory, speaking, grasping, planning all involve actions performed by our nervous system.
Neuroscience only began to be recognized as a distinct academic discipline in the 20th century when an understanding of neurons and nervous system function became increasingly more precise, despite curiosity dating back several thousand years as to the function of the brain and ideas of consciousness. Since the 1950s, research and practice in modern neurology has made great strides, leading to developments in the treatment of stroke, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis and other medical conditions. It was in 1950 that integration of basic anatomical and physiological research with clinical psychiatry was initiated, at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. During the same period, a neuroscience research program was developed in the Biology Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to integrate the fields of biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics.
Neuroscience has continued to grow and eventually associations, such as the Society for Neurosciences, were created bringing together academics from a multitude of different areas from different parts of the world. The number of neuroscientists has grown exponentially in the last 30 years. And now, with the development and rapid progress of Artificial Intelligence (AI) we see neuroscience informing computer sciences and engineering. Neuroscience has made several pivotal contributions to AI development leading to AI systems becoming more advanced and sophisticated every day.
To build super-intelligent machines, cure mental illnesses, manipulate genes, treat spinal cord injury, develop teaching strategies, and much more; all rely on our being able to gain a deeper understanding of the human brain.
Careers in neurosciences are growing, from clinical, laboratory, and cognitive work, research, psychometrics, pharmaceutics and much more. We are living in a new era, an era of information seeking, lightning fast responses and human-machine integration. Our graduates must be prepared for this world.
Neurosciences initiative steering committee
Maria Elena Puigbonet, B.Ph.Ed (KAHS), M.Sc.
Lead for the Neurosciences Initiative
Maria holds a B.PhEd, a post-graduate specialization in Exercise and Nutrition Physiology, an Operating Room Nursing diploma, and an MSc degree in Physiology (Neurosciences). She has also had four years of doctorate training in Cognitive Neurosciences at the Hospital for Sick Children. Maria has been a professor in the School of Health, Wellness and Sciences at Georgian College for 18 years. She has taught Pathophysiology, Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) and Biology for the Bachelor of Sciences (BScN) in Nursing, Practical Nursing (PN), and for the Pre-Health programs; holding a lead position for the A&P course in the PN Program. Maria is an active member of the Society for Neurosciences, Human Anatomy and Physiology Society and the American Physiological Society. With an unwavering passion for neurosciences and a focus on the future, Maria envisioned bringing Neurosciences to the College since 2012 and has been working tirelessly toward this goal. In 2017, Maria conceptualized and implemented the first Neurosciences Fair. The event was a success and from then onwards the Neurosciences Initiative began to grow; now, involving several other programs.
Maria created the Neurosciences Initiative Steering Committee in 2017.
Sean Madorin, BSc, PhD
Sean has been a professor in the School of Health Wellness and Sciences at Georgian College since 2002. Sean has taught courses in a variety of programs across the college and through Georgian’s University Partnership Centre. He has developed and coordinated several programs including Pre-Health Sciences, Primary Care Paramedic and Biotechnology: Health; and, has held a brief tenure in an administration position at Georgian. Sean graduated with a PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from the University of Western Ontario in 2005, publishing articles in a variety of journals in fields ranging from neurosciences to critical care medicine. Sean has a keen interest in neurosciences, reflected in activities and content incorporated into both lectures and labs highlighting the importance and fun of neuroscience.
In 2017/18 Sean became a member of the Neurosciences Initiative Steering Committee.
Dong Liu (David), PhD
David has been teaching and practicing TaiChi, Qigong, Acupuncture and functional rehabilitation exercises for over 20 years. He joined the faculty at Georgian College as a professor of Acupuncture in 2015, helping to develop the program curriculum. In addition to teaching, David is also an accomplished writer, contributing to an award-winning Acupuncture textbook “Clinical TCM Needle Insertion Pathway Anatomy” and “Illustrations of 14 Meridians Sinews Myofascial Zone.” In his clinical practice David specializes in caring for clients with spinal cord injury and clients with bladder and bowel dysfunction. David has also provided care as a team therapist to international caliber figure skaters at national and international competitions. David is active in research, focusing on the use of acupuncture to manage pain and the use of TaiChi to promote mindfulness and improve mood in college students. David enjoys practicing TaiChi and has competed in both the Canadian and International TaiChi Championships, earning both first and second places respectively. David’s commitment and passion for TaiChi, acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) earned him the International TCM Award for Acupuncture Development and Contribution in Canada in October 2018.
In 2017/18 David became a member of the Neurosciences Initiative Steering Committee.
Ian Cole, ND (CCNM)
Ian is a faculty member in the School of Health, Wellness and Sciences at Georgian College where he is a professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. In addition to his academic responsibilities, Ian is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Ontario maintaining a practice and performing work with his provincial regulatory body. His research interests involve the neuroanatomical basis for acupuncture and the pharmacology of botanical medicines as well as their traditional use.
In 2018, Ian became a member of the Neurosciences Initiative Steering Committee.
Contact us
Connect with us!
If you are looking for more information about the 4th Annual Neurosciences Fair or would like to know about the Neurosciences Initiative in general, please reach out to us.
Maria Puigbonet, BPhEd, MSC
Lead for Neurosciences Initiative
Professor, School of Health, Wellness and Sciences
Phone: 705.728.1968 ext.5504
Email: maria.puigbonet@georgiancollege.ca