Michael Hasselmo, professor of psychological and brain sciences, and Timothy Gardner, assistant professor of biology, were invited to the White House for a conference announcing new efforts to advance President Obama’s BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Neurotechnologies) Initiative. Their invite was in recognition of BU’s commitment to the initiative, which was demonstrated through the School’s own BRAIN Day event this past March.
Obama’s BRAIN Initiative began as a $100 million project aimed to help researchers uncover the mysteries of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and traumatic brain injury. However, at the event, the White House announced an additional $300 million in support to the initiative, including $240 million in research efforts by major foundations, patient advocacy organizations, and universities, including BU. In addition, the NIH awarded Gardner nearly $1.8 million for his own neuroscience research. Read more