UVA Neuroscience Brings Brains
The University of Virginia Neuroscience Department presented to MSA's Dual-Enrollment Psychology class during quarterly lab day. In addition to learning about cutting-edge research being done at UVA in brain studies, MSA students had the opportunity to examine real human brains donated to UVA for research.
The presentation was part of the UVA Neuroscience Department's annual Brain Awareness program. The presenters, Ashtyn Smith and Ellie Braatz, are both PhD candidates in neuroscience at UVA. Ms. Braatz's research focuses on Huntington's disease, and Ms. Smith's research studies Glia cells in the nervous system.
The presentation included a lesson on brain biology as well as details about the specific fields of research where UVA is leading the charge. MSA psychology students were amazed at the advances in research being done just up the road at the University. Ms. Smith and Ms. Braatz fielded a wide variety of questions posed by students related to their own study of psychology.
“The students were brimming with questions, and our local UVA neuroscientists did a great job sharing with enthusiasm and competency. We are very grateful for the opportunity to have the team from UVA join us and for inspiring young minds with new ideas.”
"The students were brimming with questions, and our local UVA neuroscientists did a great job sharing with enthusiasm and competency. We are very grateful for the opportunity to have the team from UVA join us and for inspiring young minds with new ideas," commented MSA Psychology teacher Jon Hayden.
Mr. Hayden earned his Master's degree in psychology from William & Mary and introduced Dual-Enrollment Psychology in 2017 to the MSA curriculum. Students in his course earn both MSA credits as well as college credits through Piedmont Virginia Community College.
