Neuroscience

Senior Spotlight: Thara Venkateswaran ’25

Senior Spotlight: Thara Venkateswaran ’25

Neuroscience, ethics and psychedelics: Dana Foundation and Baylor experts weigh in on therapy potential

A recent symposium organized by the ENRICH office and the Rice Neuroengineering Initiative as part of the Meeting of the Minds NeuroNetworking Series explored ethics and policy in brain science today, including in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Shining light on brain function: New optogenetics protocol poised to advance neuroscience

Rice neuroscientist Valentin Dragoi and Ariana Andrei from the Houston Methodist Research Institute developed a detailed, step-by-step guide for deploying optogenetics in nonhuman primates, providing critical guidance for researchers working to advance understanding of the brain’s complex networks and their relationship with behavior.

Brain health initiatives can learn from heart health, Rice Baker Institute expert says

A national commitment to improve the U.S. population’s brain health through research, education and investment can provide economic benefits, according to an expert from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

New OpenStax digital resource supports the field of neuroscience

OpenStax, Rice’s initiative to make education affordable and accessible to learners everywhere and the world’s largest publisher of open educational resources (OER), announces the release of “Introduction to Behavioral Neuroscience,” a free, openly licensed digital learning resource.

Rice labs tapped for brain research by UK funding agency with multimillion-dollar awards

Four Rice research groups are part of an inaugural cohort of 18 projects funded by the U.K.’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency to unlock cutting-edge brain-interfacing technologies.

The Brain House at Davos: Rice is helping lead brain health innovation at World Economic Forum

The Brain House at the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) upcoming annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, is a marquee platform designed to spotlight the critical importance of brain health and how innovation in “brain capital” can address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Sponsored by Rice University for the second consecutive year, The Brain House hosted by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Jan. 20-24 will showcase a series of events featuring leading experts in health and innovation who are advancing global brain health.

Emerging focus on brain health among several Rice researchers’ expertise

Rice is a hub of cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research on the brain. In addition to a critical mass of researchers in the field, Rice is home to entities dedicated to collaborative clinical and scientific research on the brain.

Rice undergraduate student to present research at prestigious Congress of Neurological Surgeons conference

Bibek Samal, a senior at Rice, has been selected to present his research on subarachnoid hemorrhage and platelet aggregation at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

Rice, Baker Institute lead ‘Brain Days’ at the United Nations

Neuroscience experts from government, business, finance, banking and philanthropy came together at the inaugural Brain Days of the 79th United Nations General Assembly Science Summit to discuss the global “brain economy transformation.” The role of the human brain in the wider economy is drawing increased attention, and brain capital is becoming a priority for nations, businesses and individuals. 

Rice addressing ‘one of the most pressing issues of our time’: The brain’s role in America’s future

Neuroscience experts from government, medicine, business and academia came together at Rice’s Bioscience Research Collaborative (BRC) Aug. 27 to discuss the American “brain economy transition.” The role of the human brain in the wider economy is drawing increased attention, and brain capital is becoming a priority for business and individuals. 

Rice lab pioneers noninvasive measurement of gene expression at target locations in the brain

Rice bioengineers have developed a noninvasive tool to measure gene expression and gene therapy delivery in specific brain regions using ultrasound.

Rice engineers’ probe could help advance treatment for spinal cord disease, injury

Rice neuroscientists have used a nanosized sensor to record spinal cord neurons in free-moving mice, a feat that could lead to the development of better treatments for spinal cord disease and injury.

In the brain at rest, neurons rehearse future experience

New research from Rice and the University of Michigan sheds light on how individual neurons in the hippocampus of rats stabilize and tune spatial representations during periods of rest following the animals’ first time running a maze, offering first proof of neuroplasticity during sleep.

Rice undergraduates win coveted Goldwater Scholarship

Rice University students Emma Codianne and Daniel Wang have won the Barry Goldwater Scholarship , an annual award that recognizes pioneering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) undergraduates in the United States.