MidBrains

The Undergraduate Neuroscience Conference

of the Upper Midwest




Welcome to MidBrains 2009!
May 2, 2009
Macalester College

The inaugural MidBrains Undergraduate Neuroscience Conference - MidBrains 2007 - was held at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, April 28th, 2007. The 2008 conference was held May 3, 2008. The date for the 2009 conference is May 2, 2009. The conference is a joint effort of the MidBrains Neuroscience Consortium-- a network of faculty from undergraduate neuroscience programs in the upper midwest. This annual event provides a forum for undergraduate students in the Midwest to present research findings, to attend research lectures and special panels, and to meet other undergraduate students interested in the neurosciences. Representatives from several major research universities are also present to discuss graduate school opportunities. Students are encouraged to submit abstracts in all fields of the neurosciences and related disciplines!

Hope to see you at Macalester College in 2009!

Abstract Submission Deadline: April 15, 2009

Online Registration Deadline: April 24, 2009

CLICK HERE for a map of the Macalester Campus.


Register Online

All attendees are required to register online for MidBrains 2009. Online registration helps us to estimate the number of attendees in advance of the conference and to allocate resources appropriately. There is no registration fee.

Register for MidBrains 2009 »


Submit an Abstract Online

In order to present either a poster or a talk at MidBrains 2009, you'll need to submit an abstract. The abstract should provide a descriptive account of the content of the presentation and should be limited to 200 words. Abstracts will only be accepted for registered attendees, so take a moment to register for the conference before submitting your abstract.


Submit an Abstract for MidBrains 2009 »


The 2009 Conference Schedule


CLICK HERE for the schedule of student research talks and posters.


8:00am - Registration (Smail Gallery, Olin-Rice Hall of Science)


9:30am - 10:30am - Keynote Address (Davis Lecture Hall, Campus Center)

The Neural Basis of Human Social and Emotional Development

Steven Anderson, Ph.D., University of Iowa


Concurrent Sessions

10:45am - 11:30am - Graduate School Presentation, University of Iowa (Olin-Rice 241)
Faculty from the University of Iowa will discuss their graduate program in the neurosciences. Information will be provided regarding program goals, research opportunities, admissions procedures, and financial aid specific to this institution, but the session will be informative for all students considering graduate study in the neurosciences.


10:45am - 11:30am - Faculty Research Talk

Understanding Locomotion One 'Crawl' Step at a Time. Karen Mesce, Ph.D., University of Minnesota Room 250


11:40am - 12:25pm - Graduate School Presentation, University of Wisconsin-Madison (Olin-Rice 241)
Faculty from the University of Wisconsin will discuss their graduate program in the neurosciences. Information will be provided regarding program goals, research opportunities, admissions procedures, and financial aid specific to this institution, but the session will be informative for all students considering graduate study in the neurosciences.


11:40am - 12:25pm - Faculty Research Talk

Neurobiology of Obesity. Kamal Rahmouni, Ph.D., University of Iowa Room 250


12:30pm - 1:30pm - Lunch (Box Lunches By Registration)

Enjoy lunch with students from around the Midwest and discuss the graduate school experience with the graduate students representing specific regional programs.

1:35pm - 2:40pm - Student Research Talks

Olin-Rice 301

1:35pm - 2:40pm - Focus Groups: The MidBrains Conference: Participant Experiences

2:45pm - 3:30pm - Graduate School Presentation, University of Minnesota (Olin-Rice 241)
Faculty from the University of Minnesota will discuss their graduate program in the neurosciences. Information will be provided regarding program goals, research opportunities, admissions procedures, and financial aid specific to this institution, but the session will be informative for all students considering graduate study in the neurosciences.


2:45pm - 3:30pm - Faculty Research Talk

Behavioral and Physiological Studies of Sound Localization. Tom Yin, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Room 250


3:30pm - 5:00pm - Poster Session (Smail Gallery, Olin-Rice Hall)


5:00pm - All-Conference Party (Atrium, Olin-Rice Hall)
All conference registrants are invited to attend the traditional MidBrains party immediately after the student poster session! Free music and food will be provided, and faculty and graduate students from the sponsoring graduate institutions will be on hand to discuss their neuroscience programs. What could be more fun? Please plan on attending!





Questions about MidBrains 2009?

Further information will be posted here as it becomes available, but you can also contact Eric Wiertelak, Director of the Cognitive and Neuroscience Studies Program at Macalester College with any questions about MidBrains or the MidBrains 2009 conference.


Support for the MidBrains 2009 Conference is generously provided by:


The University of Iowa
The University of Minnesota
The University of Wisconsin-Madison
Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
Macalester College
Carleton College

Last Updated: April 29, 2009.