Neuroscience & BMRI Retreat

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Neuroscience Graduate Students & Faculty

Every year, the BMRI and Neuroscience Graduate Program combine and spend two full days away from the city and their respective labs. The Retreat serves two main purposes: to update each other on current events, science, and achievements, and to bring everyone together in an informal setting for a friendly bonding experience. Students and faculty both enjoy the Retreat and it is an event we look forward to all year. 

This year in October 2022, the program ventured to the Interlaken Inn, nestled by the Berkshires. Students and faculty woke up to an early crisp fall day and took a scenic bus ride to Connecticut.

Upon arrival, students and faculty gathered for breakfast before a series of talks from both students and faculty. The program began with opening remarks from Monica Santisteban, PhD Leon Levy Research Fellow, Instructor in Neuroscience, then Nicole Sayles a PhD student from the Manfredi Lab. Following, faculty talks were given by Lishomwa (Lish) Ndhlovu, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Manu Sharma, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience and Keith Purpura, PhD, Associate Professor of Neuroscience. A few coffee breaks later and after lunch, the talks concluded with a presentation by Andrew Lee, a PhD student in the Joyner Lab.

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Presentation by Manu Sharma, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, Appel Institute for Alzheimer's Research

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Presentation by PhD student Andrew Lee, from the Joyner Lab

After the talks and presentations, students and faculty checked into their respective rooms and enjoyed a few hours of bonding and relaxation as some ventured on the water for kayaking/canoeing, hiking, visited local tourist hubs, or had roamed throughout the beautiful Interlaken grounds.              

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Canoeing on the Wononskopomuc Lake in Connecticut

Following the days presentations and afternoon activities, faculty and students gathered again for a cocktail hour and dinner in which the BMRI Paper & Mentor of the Year was announced by Director & Chair of BMRI, Costantino Iadecola, MD. BMRI Paper of the Year was awarded to The Director of the Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer’s Disease Research Institute Li Gan, PhD and BMRI Mentor of the Year was awarded to Brain and Mind Research Institute’s Hagen Tilgner, PhD. The evening's sessions ended with the 2nd Year Graduate Student tradition of the Faculty Roast which was enjoyed by all.

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1st Year Students at the Retreat

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2nd Year Students at the Retreat

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Faculty at the Retreat (Left to Right): Drs. Manfredi, Gan, Ross and Eliezer

Day 2 of Retreat

Day 2 began with breakfast for faculty and students over poster presentations! Students and faculty gathered for poster session by our 3rd year and above Neuroscience Graduate Students. Celeste Parra Bravo (3rd year student from Gan Lab), David Estrin (4th year student from Liston Lab) and Stephanie Jackvony (5th year student from Levin Lab) were each awarded 'Best Poster' Awards. Andrew Lee (6th year student from Joyner Lab) was awarded 'Best Presentation' Award as well.

Following posters, attendees relocated to the main room to resume the day's activities which included student presentations, and updates on the Neuroscience Graduate Program led by Neuroscience Program Director, Giovanni Manfredi MD, PhD. The student presentations give faculty and student peers insight into current research being done. The talks are informative and encourage relationships and collaborations. Activities and talks ended at 3:00 PM, shortly after faculty and students were well rested and prepared for the drive back to New York City - it was a great retreat enjoyed by all!

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Graduate Student Poster Session

Weill Cornell Medicine Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute 407 E 61st St New York, NY 10065 Phone: (646) 962-8277 Fax: (646) 962-0535