Neuroscience Program

Program Overview

Have you ever wondered if we can use brain imaging technologies to read human thoughts or if we can reprogram skin cells to neurons and treat brain disease? What about if we can engineer brains outside the body or can zombies exist? The Eureka Program offers an exciting Neuroscience Program where students can explore the fascinating world of neuroscience and attempt to answer some of the most intriguing questions related to the brain. We will delve into these topics and more as we learn about the mechanisms underlying signal and information propagation in biological cellular neural networks, the computational potential of such networks in the brain, and neuroengineering applications such as neural prostheses and technologies for interfacing with the nervous system. By the end of this course, you will have a solid foundation in neuroscience that will prepare you for college-level studies and research in neuroengineering.

Eureka Alumni from this program have received admission offers to Boston University, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Emory University,and University of Michigan. Alumni from this program have gone off to pursue studies in Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Computer Science, Psychology and other neuroscience studies.

Alumni of this program also take pride and are actively participating in their local communities. Some of our students have established non-profit organizations to support their neighborhoods. Notably, two siblings who attended our program started a non-profit organization aimed at promoting cultural awareness for children in their community. They accomplished this by donating a diverse range of cultural children's books to local libraries. Another student volunteered his free time during the COVID-19 pandemic to collect and donate face masks to his community. Additionally, several workshop attendees have secured hospital internships while still in high school.

Graduates of this program have achieved recognition through prestigious awards for high school students. Among the organizations that have honored our students are the Society for Science - Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS), the National Merit Scholarship Program, the Massachusetts Regional Science Fair, and the US Physics Olympiad. The Eureka Program is proud of our students achievements and wish success on their future academic endeavors.

The below sections will provide more insight into the students that have attended this program and share their experiences and successes.

Research Topic Samples

Can a Brain Outside the Body Answer the Questions of Consciousness?

A team of researchers recently discovered that the brain of a pig can continue to function even when removed from the body, leading to inquiries about the potential for consciousness in disembodied brains. The application of optogenetics, a technique that introduces light-sensitive proteins to neurons, can elicit responses in the brain and serve as a tool for assessing consciousness in an isolated pig brain when compared to a live brain. A Eureka student, in collaboration with a neuroscience professor, carried out this research project.

• (ED) Emory University

Eureka Research Title

The Effects Of Amino Acid Substitutions At Position 8 Of The 3-11 Α-Synuclein Helix