Cherry Award Finalists' Public Lectures

Kelly Lambert, Ph.D.

MacEldin Trawick Chair and Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Richmond

Monday, Oct. 30, 2023 | 3:30 p.m.
Paul and Jane Meyer Conference Center, Foster 250

Brain Sculpting:  Stranger than fiction tales of neuroplasticity

Considering that brains change from the womb to the tomb, it is important to understand how various experiences guide the life-long modifications of our neural networks, a process known as neuroplasticity.  Drawing from her love of scientific storytelling and ongoing diverse research projects exploring dynamic brains, Kelly Lambert will present a series of “brain-sculpting” vignettes that, at times, may seem more like fiction than evidence-based observations.   Her laboratory and field research exploring the neurobiology of resilient rats (e.g., rats driving cars, trust-fund rats, wild rats), paternal mice, curious raccoons, problem-solving macaques, and somewhat mysterious Madagascar mouse lemurs should provide several plot twists for expanding neuronal experiences in the laboratory, classroom, and beyond.