2020 NOVA Fall Lab Tours
The Neuroscience Outreach and Volunteer Association (NOVA) invites students from Baltimore City's Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy each year for our annual Fall Lab Tours. Typically, the students would visit campus for a day to learn about neuroscience research by attending laboratory demonstrations and short lectures. This year, we virtually hosted 22 students who had the opportunity to see live demonstrations from four different neuroscience labs at UMB.
The students were able to see a wide variety of neuroscience research, beginning with the Lobo Lab who showcased how they use molecular and behavioral techniques in mice to study drug abuse. Next, the students got to “visit” the Longden Lab who use microscopy and electrophysiology to study blood flow in the brain. The students’ third lab tour of the day was in the Chang Lab, which uses fMRI to study brain development in children. Finally, the students ended their “tours” at the Mathur lab, which studies brain circuitry in alcohol abuse using techniques like fiber photometry, animal behavior and optogenetics. After getting to see what neuroscience research looks like, the students heard presentations from a panel of UMB graduate students so they could learn more about academic life and the many paths that can be taken to work in science and research.
On behalf of NOVA, thank you to the Lobo, Longden, Chang and Mathur labs for taking the time not only to design and present their laboratory demonstrations, but also to adapt them to a virtual format while keeping them fun and engaging for everyone.
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