As we come to the end of 2025, BHI would like to thank the Rutgers faculty, trainees, and staff who helped us succeed in a challenging year. Together, we have created a welcoming and supportive community, evidenced by the engagement and camaraderie at the symposiums and events organized by BHI and its centers throughout the year. We celebrate your achievements in research, clinical service, and training. Read our 2025 Annual Report to learn about all we accomplished together in 2025! We wish you and your family a Joyous Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

2025 Eleventh Annual BHI Symposium

We were thrilled to host the 11th Annual BHI Symposium, welcoming over 315 attendees—our highest turnout yet—for a full day of scientific exchange, interactive sessions, and networking. Held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at the Busch Student Center in Piscataway, the event brought together academic leaders, researchers, and industry professionals. Learn more

The symposium began with welcome remarks from Chancellor Brian Strom of Rutgers Health, followed by updates on BHI’s initiatives and accomplishments from Dr. Gary Aston-Jones, Director of BHI. Keynote speaker Dr. Moses Chao delivered an inspiring keynote lecture titled “Mysteries of Neurotrophic Factors.”

Faculty from across Rutgers then presented their cutting-edge research, sharing updates on ongoing studies and highlighting their areas of scientific focus. Lewis-Burke provided an informative overview of the rapidly changing federal research funding landscape.

This year’s symposium showcased 58 trainee posters across a wide range of neuroscience disciplines. The top 25 posters were selected to present two-minute flash talks. We recognized excellence in research communication through our Poster Awards. The top three posters received certificates and awards of $200, $150, and $100, respectively.

First Prize

Watch Video

Ahmad Beyh, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow

PI: Linden Parkes

(RH-RWJMS)

Second Prize

Watch Video

Sindhu Sriramoji-Virdi PhD Candidate

PI: Miriam Bocarsly

(RH-NJMS)

Third Prize

Watch Video

Jack DeLucia

PhD Student

PI: Tracy Tran

(RU-Newark)

We were excited to showcase 15 creative submissions in the Brain Art Exhibition, celebrating the artistic side of science. Attendees enjoyed seeing how trainees translate the beauty and complexity of neuroscience into visual expression. The top three artworks were selected for certificates and awards of $200, $150, and $100, respectively.

First Prize

Maia Wang

Undergraduate Student

PI: Eleanna Kara

(RH-RWJMS)

Second Prize

Jack DeLucia

PhD Student

PI: Tracy Tran

(RU-Newark)

Third Prize

Erin McDonnell

PhD Student

PI: Natasha O’Brown

(RU-NB)

New this year, we offered a livestream option, allowing participants to join remotely. We would like to thank Metware Biotechnology Inc., RWD Life Science Co., and Bristlecone Solutions LLC for partially sponsoring the symposium. Learn more

BHI Research & Service Awards

We hosted the 2025 BHI Research and Service Awards Ceremony on December 12 at the Rutgers Club. The awards recognized outstanding achievements across five categories, honoring faculty and staff who have significantly impacted brain health research and service. Each awardee received a commemorative plaque and a monetary award. Learn more

Congratulations to

• Early Career Faculty “Rising Star” Award: Mark Rossi, PhD
• Mid-Career Faculty “Shining Star” Award: Brian D. Greer, PhD, BCBA-D
• BHI “Outstanding Service” Award for faculty: David Zald, PhD
• BHI “Outstanding Service” Award for staff: Emily Balcke, MSc
• Senior Faculty “Super Star” Award: John Pintar, PhD
• Senior Faculty “Super Star” Award: Yuan-Xiang Tao, PhD

Appointment of Dr. Carlos Pato

as Associate Director of BHI

We are excited to announce the appointment of Dr. Carlos Pato, MD, PhD, as Associate Director of BHI. Dr. Pato is Henry Rutgers Professor of Behavioral Health and Executive Chair of the Departments of Psychiatry at RWJMS and NJMS. He is also Senior Vice President of Research, Training and Academic Affairs for UBHC. Dr. Pato will work with BHI leadership to grow translational and clinical brain health research at Rutgers by helping facilitate recruitment and mentoring of physician-scientists, increasing research collaborations between BHI and the RWJBH system, and enhancing research partnerships with industry. Given his prior experience in leading international research consortia, Dr. Pato will also advise BHI leadership on building collaborations with international institutions. Learn more

2026-2027 BHI Trainee Travel Awards

We are pleased to announce the Spring 2026 trainee travel award for Rutgers PhD, MD/PhD students, and Post-docs from labs engaged in neuroscience and mental health research. BHI will provide $500 awards to help offset the cost of attending a national or international conference related to neuroscience or mental health research during the current fiscal year (i.e., by June 30, 2026). For the Spring cycle, there will be awards in each of the four BHI focus areas- Neurodegeneration and Injury, Neurodevelopment, Motivational and Affective Neuroscience, and Cognitive and Sensory Neuroscience. Submit all materials by January 30, 2026. Apply now

2025 BHI Holiday Toolkit – Celebrate Joyfully,

Protect Your Brain

BHI offers a practical guide that helps you enjoy the holiday season more fully – with greater energy, sharper memories, and mornings that leave your brain feeling refreshed rather than depleted. Whether you’re simply hoping to remember the party, or you’re a researcher/clinician who knows exactly how alcohol affects the prefrontal cortex – this toolkit has you covered. Learn more

BHI Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Linden Parkes Publishes Nature Communications Study on How the Brain Integrates Fast and Slow Information

Dr. Linden Parkes, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at RWJMS and a Core Member of the BHI and the Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research (CAHBIR), has published a new paper, “Inferring Intrinsic Neural Timescales Using Optimal Control Theory,” in Nature Communications. Dr. Parkes and his team analyzed multimodal brain imaging data from 960 individuals, built detailed maps of each person’s brain connectivity, known as connectomes, and applied mathematical models that describe how complex systems change over time to understand how information flows through these networks. Learn more

Claim your minute (and possibly more) of fame!! If you want to share any news (e.g., awards, grants, publications, patents, donor gifts) in future monthly newsletters, please send them to Lily Zhang (lily.zhangty@rutgers.edu) or use this Microsoft form to submit your news. We will also push these out on social media. So don’t be shy! Share your good news with us! We would love to hear from you!!

New Event Calendar Aggregator on the BHI Website

We encourage the Rutgers Neuroscience community to add their neuroscience and brain health research-related events to the Event Calendar on the BHI website. This will minimize scheduling conflicts for neuroscience and brain health events at Rutgers. To put your events on the BHI website Event calendar, BHI has obtained an event calendar aggregator software that can pull events you post on a shared Outlook or Google calendar created by BHI. If you’d like instructions on how to add your event, or if you have any questions, please contact Lily Zhang (lily.zhangty@rutgers.edu) to request access to the shared BHI Event Outlook or Google Calendar. Learn more

New Banner Ad and Sponsorship

Opportunities at BHI

We’ve launched a new banner ad section on the BHI website to help faculty and trainees promote events, study recruitment, job openings, and news announcements. With monthly traffic averaging over 10,000 visitors, and placements on the most-visited pages, your message will gain high visibility across Rutgers and beyond. Your ad will reach not only the Rutgers community but also external experts, prospective students, and potential collaborators and donors who visit the site. We will assist with designing engaging graphics and placing your announcement on high-traffic pages across the site. If you are interested in featuring your announcement, please contact Lily Zhang (lily.zhangty@rutgers.edu). Advertise with us

NEW!! We are looking for sponsors to support BHI events. Faculty, Staff and Trainees, please let us know about vendors you all work with who might be interested in sponsoring BHI events. Please reach out to kuzhikev@bhi.rutgers.edu with names and contact information of vendors who might be interested in partnering with BHI to sponsor neuroscience and brain health events at Rutgers.

BHI Feedback Hub

BHI Announcements & Opportunities

Rutgers Training in Addiction Research Program (TARP)

The Rutgers Addiction Research Center (RARC) in the BHI launched the TARP to cultivate the next generation of addiction neuroscience researchers. The TARP will open predoctoral and postdoctoral training slots during the 2025–26 academic year. We welcome applicants committed to advancing addiction neuroscience. All trainees (including international applicants) are eligible to apply. For interested applicants, please send your CV to Dr. Chris Pierce at chris.pierce@rutgers.edu. Learn more

BHI Motivational and Affective Neuroscience FAWG Mock Grant Review Program

The BHI and the RARC are pleased to announce the mock grant review program at Rutgers University. The primary objective of this program is to increase the success of grant proposals submitted to NIH by Rutgers investigators from the BHI and/or the RARC. Learn more

South Asian Memory, Aging, and Risk Tracking for Brain Health study (SAMARTH)

South Asian Memory, Aging, and Risk Tracking for Brain Health study (SAMARTH) The study aims to understand the characteristics that may place South Asian populations at heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study seeks to recruit individuals with ethnic or racial backgrounds from the South Asian subcontinents, aged 45-70, who have a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (one or more parents with Alzheimer’s Disease, high blood pressure, BMI >30, or Type II diabetes/pre-diabetes). Learn more

Multitasking Strategy Study (MUST Study): Neuroscience and Aging Study

The Rutgers Krieger Klein Alzheimer's Research Center and EngAGING Lab are recruiting older adults (60–75) for the MUST Study, a non-pharmacological research trial focused on cognitive training to support attention control and multitasking. Overall eligibility: ages 60–75, overall good health/cognitively healthy, English-speaking, and able to use a computer and the internet. Participation includes home-based online sessions (brain health education and cognitive training) and 3 in-person assessments over approximately 5–6 months. Participants may receive up to $275. Learn more

IFPR – Rutgers Research Collaboration

The RARC is partnering with the Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) to establish a streamlined process for collaboration among Rutgers researchers who want to partner with RWJBarnabas to analyze substance use disorder outcome data and/or implement new studies in the health system. Learn more

Rutgers Research Community Partnership (RCP)

The RCP, overseen by the RARC, is a central enrollment hub for community members to participate in Rutgers research projects, and for researchers to recruit for their studies. By signing up for the RCP, individuals agree to be contacted by approved researchers to participate in projects. Learn more

Join the ADRD Research Center Community

The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in BHI will serve as a hub for collaboration, innovation, and transformative research, with the mission of making meaningful strides in the prevention, diagnosis, and care of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD). If you are interested in learning more or collaborating with the center, please submit the form to provide your contact information. Learn more

Join us and make a lasting impact in neuroscience research and education. Discover current opportunities to advance your career and collaborate with leading experts at Rutgers. View all open positions Click here

If you want to share any opportunities (e.g., open positions, grants, surveys) in future monthly newsletters, please send them to Lily Zhang (lily.zhangty@rutgers.edu) or use this Microsoft form to submit your opportunities.

Save the Date

Jan 14, 12 PM



7th Annual Neurosurgery Research Symposium

The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center (KKARC) in the BHI is organizing a series of translational work-in-progress talks, alternating between clinical and basic presentations to open new opportunities for translational research and discussions from different perspectives. Dr. Nathan Wages, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation & Movement Sciences, School of Health Professions, and a core member of BHI, will present “Elucidating Mechanistic Underpinning of a Mind-Body Intervention in older adults with MCI and AD. A Katz Grant Application”. Learn more

March 18

7th Annual Neurosurgery Research Symposium

Mark your calendars for this interactive day of presentations and discussions on the latest developments in neurosurgery research at Rutgers Health and beyond. Hosted by Dr. Detlev Boison and Dr. Hai Sun, the symposium's focus will be on Nervous System Regeneration and Repair.

March 22

2026 Newark, New Jersey, Regional Brain Bee

The Newark, New Jersey, Regional Brain Bee, sponsored by the BHI, is a Q&A competition that tests high school students’ neuroscience knowledge. Registration is free and open to all New Jersey high school students interested in participating. Registration closes on March 8, 2026. Register now

March 24

Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center Symposium

The KKARC in the BHI will host its 2026 Symposium at the Busch Student Center in Piscataway. The keynote speaker is Sudha Seshadri, MD, Robert R. Barker Distinguished University Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Cellular and Integrative Physiology at the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The symposium will award a $350 prize for both Best Poster and Best Paper. Registration is limited to the first 140 attendees and will close on March 1, 2026. Submit Paper and Poster & Register Now

May 7

BHI Plenary Seminar: Robert W. Gereau, PhD

Dr. Robert W. Gereau is the Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, and Vice Chair for Research; Division Chief, Washington University Pain Center. Dr. Gereau's lab utilizes a combination of behavioral studies, patch clamp electrophysiology, optogenetics, in vivo imaging, molecular and genetic approaches to understand the signaling pathways involved in nervous system plasticity that underlies pain sensitization. The mission is to identify novel approaches to reverse this maladaptive plasticity to provide new therapeutic strategies to reduce pain and its impact on patient quality of life.

May 11

CSN–MAN FAWG Symposium: Rutgers Symposium on The Intersection of Cognitive, Sensory and Affective Neuroscience 

The Cognitive & Sensory Neuroscience FAWG (CSN-FAWG) and Motivational & Affective Neuroscience FAWG (MAN-FAWG) will host a cross-FAWG event on May 11th, 2026, from 10 AM to 4 PM, at Masker’s Barn, Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. The keynote speakers are Luiz Pessoa, PhD, Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, and Jacqueline Gottlieb, PhD, Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University. Learn more

May 19-20

Rutgers Health and BHI Postdoc Peek: Postdoc Recruitment Event

Save the date! Rutgers Health and BHI invite graduate students and postdoc fellows to apply for Postdoc Peek, a two-day, all-expenses-paid, on-campus visit on May 19–20. This experience offers participants the opportunity to explore postdoctoral training and research opportunities in neuroscience and brain health at Rutgers. Key Dates:

• Faculty application review period: February 24 – March 23
• Virtual information session: March 23, 12–2 PM
• Faculty Zoom interviews with top candidates: March 24 – April 6
• On-campus visit for selected candidates: May 19–20

Stay tuned for application details and registration information.

June 11,1-5 PM

Conducting Industry-Sponsored (CNS) Clinical Trials at Rutgers

Rutgers University offers unique resources to support industry-sponsored clinical trials examining central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics. Key resources include New Jersey’s only Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Center, state-of-the-art neuroimaging facilities, and specialized research cores for biospecimen processing and behavioral assessment. The event is sponsored by BHI, New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science, and Rutgers Office for Research. Learn more

Please visit the BHI Event Calendar page to view other upcoming neuroscience and brain health research events. Learn more



If you want to share any events in future monthly newsletters, please send them to Lily Zhang (lily.zhangty@rutgers.edu) or use this Microsoft form to submit your events.

If you want to feature any news, opportunities, and events in future monthly newsletters, please send them to Lily Zhang (lily.zhangty@rutgers.edu) or use this Microsoft form to submit your news. Thank you for your cooperation and support!

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