Neurodegeneration and Injury Focus Area Working Group (NDI-FAWG) | |
Led by Chair Dr. Detlev Boison and Vice-Chair Dr. Steven Levison, the Neurodegeneration & Injury Focus Area Working Group (NDI-FAWG) unites nearly 40 faculty members across Rutgers, the East Orange NJ VA, and the Kessler Foundation to investigate neurodegeneration following brain injury and develop neuroprotective and neuroregenerative strategies. With expertise spanning Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, frontotemporal dementia, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries, neonatal brain injuries, and epilepsy, the group fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to drive breakthroughs. These efforts have already led to four ongoing research projects, including a P01 planning grant awarded through BHI, highlighting the power of synergy in advancing brain health research. Watch the video and visit the website to learn more. |
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Rutgers Giving Days on March 12-13 | |
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Join Dr. Gary Aston-Jones, the Director of Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI), for an overview of our organization and the groundbreaking work we're leading in neuroscience. From pioneering research to innovative treatments, discover how BHI is at the forefront of understanding and improving brain health. Watch now and learn how you can support shaping the future of neuroscience at BHI.
Rutgers Giving Days are on March 12 and 13—we invite you to support something remarkable at BHI. With your help, we integrate cutting-edge basic and clinical research, foster robust educational programs, enhance scientific collaborations, and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for brain research.
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2025 BHI Postdoc Recruitment Event on April 22-23 | |
The 2025 BHI Postdoc Recruitment Event will be held on April 22-23, offering highly qualified graduate students and postdoctoral fellows a two-day, all-expenses-paid visit to Rutgers University. This event provides an opportunity to explore postdoctoral positions in neuroscience and brain health research at BHI. Up to 20 trainees from North American institutions will be selected to attend on the Piscataway campus in New Jersey. Invited candidates will present platform talks, network with faculty and current trainees, visit labs, and tour the Rutgers campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway, and Newark. Applications are due by March 15. If you have any questions, require further information, or have trouble submitting your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at bhi@bhi.rutgers.edu. |
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Super Bowl Winner Eagles Partner with Rutgers Scientists to Advance Autism Research | | |
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Dr. Maria Chiara Manzini, Associate Professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at RWJMS, is a recipient of the Eagles Autism Foundation grant program. Her lab combines human genetics with molecular and behavioral approaches to understand neurodevelopmental disorders, with recent work examining potential molecular mechanisms that make males more likely to develop autism. |
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Dr. Luciano D’Adamio Launches Startup to Improve Alzheimer’s Treatment | | |
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Dr. Luciano D’Adamio, Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience and the Herbert and Jacqueline Klein Endowed Chair in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, is the founder of NanoNewron, Inc., a startup looking to advance its potentially game-changing approach towards treating Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurological conditions. “My idea was to target a different metabolic pathway to interfere with the disease process in order to impact the root causes of the pathology” said Dr. D’Adamio. |
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Dr. Avram Holmes Publishes in PNAS: Parenthood Linked to Brain Health Benefits | | |
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A new study led by Dr. Avram Holmes, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at RWJMS and core faculty at BHI & CAHBIR, suggests that raising children may help protect against certain effects of aging on the brain. Published in PNAS, the study analyzed nearly 37,000 adults and found that parents exhibit brain connectivity patterns that counter typical age-related declines—an effect that strengthens with each additional child. “The regions that decrease in functional connectivity as individuals age are the regions associated with increased connectivity when individuals have had children,” said Dr. Holmes, highlighting a link between parenthood and brain resilience. | |
Dr. Victoria Abraira Awarded Sloan Fellow for Her Research on the Sense of Touch | | |
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Dr. Victoria Abraira, Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was named a 2025 Sloan Research Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors for early-career scientists. Dr. Abraira studies how early-life touch experiences shape brain development, influencing emotional and social growth. | |
BHI Commentary: Insights on FDA Approves New Type of Nonopioid Painkiller for Acute Pain | | |
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BHI Core Faculty members Drs. Tibor Rohacs and Ying-Xian Pan shared their insights on the FDA’s recent approval of Journavx (suzetrigine), a new non-opioid painkiller from Vertex Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in adults. “Journavx provides an effective alternative to opioids for pain management. It will be interesting to see its analgesic effects and potential side effects as more clinical data become available,” said Dr. Pan. Dr. Rohacs added, “As research accelerates, the therapeutic landscape for chronic pain may shift significantly, offering new hope to both patients and clinicians.” | |
Dr. Avram Holmes Awarded NIMH R01 Grant to Study Functional Genomics of the Human Connectome in Psychiatric Illness | | |
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Dr. Avram Holmes, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at RWJMS and Core Faculty Member of BHI and the Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research (CAHBIR), received an R01 grant from the National Institute of Mental Health for the project “Functional genomics of the human connectome in psychiatric illness”. This project investigates how brain network function, genetics, and longitudinal changes shape symptom profiles in depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia to improve understanding and classification of psychiatric disorders. |
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Dr. Holly Poore Awarded NIDA K01 Grant to Explore the Genetic and Phenotypic Overlap of Substance Use Disorders and Psychopathology | | |
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Dr. Holly Poore, Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at RWJMS, received a five-year K01 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for the project “Exploring the Interface between Substance Use Disorders and Other Forms of Psychopathology using Phenotypic and Genomic Approaches”. The project aims to improve the classification and understanding of substance use disorders (SUDs) by examining their phenotypic and genetic overlap with other forms of psychopathology, using advanced statistical genetics and clinical research to enhance treatment prediction and psychiatric classification. |
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Drs. Loren Runnels and James Millonig Awarded NINDS R21 Grant to Study Neuronal Magnesium Homeostasis | | |
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Dr. Loren Runnels, Professor Department of Pharmacology RWJMS, and Dr. James Millonig, Associate Professor Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology RWJMS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, R21, “Role of CNNM2 in Neuronal Mg2+ Homeostasis, Function and Development”. The study focuses on the role of CNNM2 in regulating magnesium levels in neurons, with implications for neurodevelopmental disorders like intellectual disability and epilepsy. Using mouse models and human-induced neurons, the study aims to uncover how mutations in CNNM2 affect brain development and function. |
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2024-2025 Rutgers Brain Health Institute Trainee Travel Awards | |
We’re thrilled to announce the 2024-2025 Rutgers Brain Health Institute Trainee Travel Award winners! These exceptional neuroscience PhD students, MD/PhD students, and postdocs were selected by BHI Focus Area Working Groups (FAWGs) to receive a $500 award. This funding will support their attendance at national or international conferences focused on neuroscience and mental health research. | |
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!! | |
We are excited to share the launch of our all-new Rutgers Brain Health Institute website! With a fresh design and user-friendly features, the site showcases BHI’s leadership in neuroscience and brain health research, collaboration, and education. Explore news, events, faculty achievements, and trainee opportunities, all in one place. Please take a moment to visit our new website and discover everything we have to offer. We value your input—please complete this survey to share your feedback and help us continue improving your experience! | |
BHI Postdoctoral Alliance Working Group (PAWG) Trainee Information Collection Form | |
The PAWG is the only working group at the BHI that's dedicated to all Rutgers trainees engaged in neuroscience, brain and mental health research and training. We would like to collect as much trainee (post-doc, PhD student, Master's, undergraduate) information as we can. This database can then serve as a listserv for us to disseminate important information to you, such as symposiums, seminars, travel awards, fellowships, outdoor events and trivia nights, and even instructions on how to file your taxes on a fellowship. This data will also serve YOU. We will compile anonymous trainee stats (# trainees, pubs, fellowships, etc.) for you to use in your grant and fellowship applications when you discuss the BHI. Please complete this survey. | |
BHI Announcements & Opportunities | |
Connecting Persons with Autism with Autism Researchers (2025) | |
The New Jersey Autism Center of Excellence (NJACE) led by Dr. Wayne Fisher, Director of RUCARES in BHI, aims to help New Jersey researchers connect with individuals with autism and their families who may be interested in participating in research. We anticipate funding up to four seed grants with a maximum of $2,000 per award. Please complete the request form and submit it to Hnorris@childrensspecialized.org to be considered for funding. | |
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. | |
TMS-EEG Study of Eye Movements and Memory | |
The Brain Modulation & Control Lab is recruiting paid volunteers to perform computer-based tasks while recording electroencephalography (EEG) data and applying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to study brain dynamics related to eye movement tasks. If you are interested in this study, please contact bmclab@rwjms.rutgers.edu. | |
Learn About Your Risk for Addiction | |
The Rutgers Addiction Research Center in BHI is currently running a research study to evaluate a newly developed online platform that provides individuals with personalized risk profiles that combine genetic, behavioral, and environmental information. Participants will receive their personalized risk profile for free as well as up to $40 in compensation for completing research surveys to help the study team evaluate the program. | |
Alzheimer’s Risk Among South Asian Populations | |
The Rutgers Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is launching a study to understand the characteristics that may place South Asian populations at heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease. This study seeks to recruit individuals with ethnic or racial backgrounds from South Asian countries, aged 45-70, who have one or more parents with AD. Participants at Rutgers can receive up to $175. Participants will undergo comprehensive assessments every two years, encompassing surveys, cognitive and language assessments, motor function tasks, blood tests, physical and neurological exams, as well as brain imaging. | |
IFPR – Rutgers Research Collaboration | |
The RARC is partnering with the Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) to establish a streamlined process for enhanced 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. | |
Rutgers Research Community Partnership | |
The Research Community Partnership (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. Participants can choose to accept or decline any project to which they are invited. Anyone who wants to be a part of research can enroll in the RCP. | |
Join the ADRD research center community | |
The newly established 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. | |
Director of Neurotechnology Innovation Center at BHI | We seek an accomplished scientist or physician-scientist eligible for the rank of tenured Associate or Full Professor to join the Department of Neurosurgery under new leadership at Rutgers Health and BHI as Director of the new Neurotechnology Innovation Center (NTICe) at BHI. The goal of NTICe is to develop a world-class research center that serves as a platform for interdisciplinary collaborations among basic and translational scientists, clinicians, engineers and industry partners to propel discovery of innovative, groundbreaking neurotechnology that can be brought from the bench to the bedside to treat debilitating neurological and psychiatric diseases. |
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Director of Center on Research in Pain and Pain Therapeutics at BHI | We seek an accomplished scientist, at the Professor or Associate Professor level, to join the Rutgers Brain Health Institute (BHI) and The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) as Director of the new Rutgers Center on Research in Pain and Pain Therapeutics (CRPPT). This new center director will have the responsibility to develop a research center focused on mechanisms underlying pain with a goal of developing novel therapeutic approaches. The CRPPT will build collaborations among scientists with the multidisciplinary expertise required to identify novel therapeutic targets, assess efficacy of treatments, and develop precision medicine approaches to diagnose and treat pain. |
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Open Rank Associate Professor/Professor in Data Science | |
The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at the BHI is seeking data scientists for a tenure-track faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level at RWJMS and BHI within RBHS. We seek a faculty member who is experienced in using advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze datasets related to aging, Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. | |
Geriatric Psychiatrist or Geriatric Neurologist Faculty | |
The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at BHI is seeking a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist or geriatric neurologist with clinical and research experience in Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including physicians experts in dementia research and care, neuropsychologists and neuropathologists, on a clinician-scientist track. Applicants should have experience in conducting clinical trials (as PI or site PI), experience conducting longitudinal studies, and an interest in studying preclinical Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. | |
Human Neuroimaging Faculty Position in Alzheimer’s Disease | |
The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at BHI is seeking a neuroimaging leader for a tenure-track position at the Associate or Full Professor level at BHI, and RWJMS within RBHS. We seek a faculty member who is experienced in using neuroimaging techniques to image human brain structure and activity as it relates to aging, Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The candidate will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including neurologists, neuropsychologists, and neuropathologists. | |
Assistant Professor in Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience, Tenure-Track | |
The Department of Psychology in the Rutgers University-New Brunswick, School of Arts and Sciences in Piscataway, New Jersey invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in Behavioral & Systems Neuroscience (BSN), with a start date of September 1, 2025. The ideal candidate is expected to lead a research program using advanced neuroscience approaches that would complement departmental strengths in one or more of the following pre-clinical areas: 1) sensory and computational neuroscience; 2) motivational and affective neuroscience; and 3) learning and memory. | |
Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Early Intervention Research in Autism | |
The BHI, RUCARES, and Department of Pediatrics at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) are seeking a tenure-track assistant or associate professor for a clinical research program focused on improving interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder. | |
Human Neuroimaging Faculty Positions | |
The CAHBIR is recruiting for multiple faculty positions at all levels (Assistant/Associate/ Professor). We seek investigators who use innovative MRI approaches to image human brain structure and function. Individuals who utilize additional approaches such as EEG, tDCS, and rTMS to study human brain function would also be attractive. | |
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. | |
Human Neuroscience Trainee Seminar Series | | |
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The BHI and CAHBIR are hosting a seminar series on the last Monday of each month. This series features presentations by graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, providing a platform to share their research with the broader Rutgers neuroscience community. It is open to all trainees conducting human neuroscience research in BHI laboratories. Trainees may present experimental plans, pilot data, or complete research. Talks can also be used to prepare for conferences, job talks, or other professional presentations. Please contact Noelle Stiles (ns1608@rutgers.edu) with any questions.
March 3: Amber Howell, Postdoc (PI: Linden Parkes & Avram Holmes) – "Role of corticothalamic connectivity in shaping brain function across development"
March 31: Carrisa Cocuzza, Postdoc (PI: Avram Holmes)
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BHI's Postdoctoral Alliance Working Group (PAWG) is proud to present the first BHI Trainee Retreat. The program consists of a grant writing workshop with tip/tricks, grant writing Panel with Study Section Experts, transition to the next steps in academia & industry, and “How to Manage in the lab" workshop. The lineup of speakers features experts from industry, academia, and even the business department. Reserving your spot ensures your food preferences are accommodated, though walk-ins will be welcomed on the day as space allows. | |
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Translational Work-in-Progress Series (ADRD-TWIP) | | |
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The Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in the BHI is organizing a series of translational work-in-progress talks every month. The goal is to alternate between clinical and basic presentations to open new opportunities for translational research and discussions from different points of view. Dr. Nathan Wages will present “Is Limb Immobilization an Appropriate Model to Investigate Limb Disuse Adaptations: A Pending Grant Application”. Dr. Wages will discuss his aims page and intended methodology and is interested in feedback towards fine tuning this idea before beginning work on the strategy section. | | |
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From pioneering research to innovative treatments, discover how BHI is at the forefront of understanding and improving brain health. With your help, we integrate cutting-edge basic and clinical research, foster robust educational programs, enhance scientific collaborations, and provide state-of-the-art infrastructure for brain research. | | |
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The Center for Advanced Human Brain Imaging Research (CAHBIR) and the Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Cognitive Neuro-Psychiatry (CCNP) at the BHI are excited to host their first open house. CAHBIR is committed to advancing high-quality human neuroscience research through state-of-the-art neuroimaging techniques. CCNP, a unique collaboration between Rutgers and Princeton, is one of the first centers dedicated to computational psychiatry. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge brain research and learn how their support can contribute to the fight against neurological and psychiatric disorders. |
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2025 Newark New Jersey Regional Brain Bee | | |
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The Newark New Jersey Regional Brain Bee, sponsored by the BHI, is a Question & Answer competition, similar to a spelling bee, that tests high school students' neuroscience knowledge on topics such as brain structures, learning, memory, sleep, vision, and movement. Registration is free and open to all New Jersey high school students interested in participating. |
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Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center Symposium | | |
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The Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center at the BHI will hold its Second Symposium on March 19. This one-day symposium will feature presentations from clinical and basic science investigators. Registration is limited to the first 140 attendees. Breakfast and lunch will be served. The Symposium will award a $350 prize for both Best Poster and Best Paper by young investigators (PhD students, Postdoctoral Fellows, Assistant Professors). Please submit your 2024 paper and/or poster abstract to adrd@bhi.rutgers.edu. | |
6th Annual Neurosurgery Research Symposium | | |
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Hosted by Dr. Detlev Boison and Dr. Hai Sun, the Neurosurgery Research Symposium is a yearly event designed to showcase research accomplishments from our department and to connect students, postdocs, residents, and clinical and research faculty during an interactive day of research presentations and discussions. This year’s theme, Engineering Approaches to Neurosurgery, will delve into the transformative influence of engineering in advancing neurosurgical care. Dr. Cameron McIntyre (Duke University) and Dr. Chethan Pandarinath (Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology) are the plenary speakers. The will feature a poster session during the extended lunch break. We welcome poster presentations from all researchers! Submit abstracts by March 12. | |
2025 BHI Postdoc Recruitment Event | | |
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The 2025 BHI Postdoc Recruitment Event offers highly qualified graduate students and postdoctoral fellows a two-day, all-expenses-paid visit to Rutgers University. This event provides an opportunity to explore postdoctoral positions in neuroscience and brain health research at BHI. Up to 20 trainees from North American institutions will be selected to attend on the Piscataway campus in New Jersey. Invited candidates will present platform talks, network with faculty and current trainees, visit labs, and tour the Rutgers campuses in New Brunswick, Piscataway, and Newark. Applications are due by March 15. | |
2025 BHI Plenary Seminar Series | | |
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Hosted by Neurodegeneration & Injury FAWG | Dr. Scott Brady is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Illinois. Dr. Brady's research focuses on molecular motors, axonal transport and the neuronal cytoskeleton, Neuronal signaling pathways, Effects of myelin on neurons and pathogenic mechanisms in adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and Huntington's as well as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and diabetic neuropathy. |
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Hosted by Motivational and Affective Neuroscience FAWG | Dr. Abraham Palmer, Professor and Vice Chair for Basic Research, Department of Psychiatry, UC San Diego. Dr. Palmer is interested in the relationship between genotype and phenotype, especially behavioral phenotypes. His lab is currently studying several genes that we identified using these methods with the goal of gaining novel mechanistic and biological insights (e.g. Glo1, Azi2, Cadm2, Gpm6b). Dr. Palmer will discuss “GWAS in model organisms and cross-species translation”. |
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Dr. Ofer Yizhar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Brain Sciences at Weizmann Institute of Science. Dr. Yizhar’s lab is interested in the neural circuit substrates of complex behaviors, including social behavior, decision making, learning and memory. Work in the lab is focused on how specific neural circuits regulate these functions, on disease-related changes and their electrophysiological and behavioral correlates. |
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Hosted by the Herbert and Jacqueline Krieger Klein Alzheimer’s Research Center in BHI | Dr. David Weinshenker is a Professor in the Department of Human Genetics at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Weinshenker's approach is to use a combination of genetics, behavior, pharmacology, neurochemistry, optogenetics, and chemogenetics in rodents to better understand the neurobiology underlying normal brain function as well as neurological and neuropsychiatric disease. |
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Dr. Michael Beauchamp is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Beauchamp’s lab focuses on the superior temporal sulcus, a brain area critical for the integration of auditory and visual information and for the perception of complex visual motion, such as mouth movements. |
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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! | | | | |
