The McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida e-newsletter

                                                                            Issue 16, Summer 2020

Message from the Director, Dr. Todd Golde

Dear Colleagues:

It's hard to believe that the summer semester is upon us, although in a much different fashion than we ever anticipated. 

I want to thank everyone in the neuroscience research community for their efforts during these challenging times. Many have had to wind down their research activities to help flatten the curve, but they’ve found creative ways to keep their research alive and have rallied around their colleagues on the front lines. Thanks to their positive spirit, I know we’ll emerge from this stronger and more resilient.

I'd also like to thank longtime neuroscience chair Dr. Lucia Notterpek, who recently accepted a new leadership role at the University of Nevada, for all she's done for neuroscience at UF, and congratulate Dr. Jennifer Bizon, who has taken the helm as interim chair. Dr. Bizon has done an outstanding job co-leading the MBI's Education and Outreach efforts and serving on our Executive Committee, and I know she'll excel in this new role. Be sure to read about this leadership transition and Dr. Notterpek’s accomplishments in this newsletter.

Please stay safe, enjoy your summer and stay tuned for more information about our reopening efforts in the coming weeks and months.

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COVID-19 NEWS

Jeb Justice., and Steven Munger

Global survey supports link between COVID-19 and loss of smell and taste

UF Health Smell Disorders Program leaders co-author multinational study of COVID-19 patients.

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Doctor holding an ipad

COVID-19 crisis as catalyst for telemedicine

Dr. Michael Okun co-authored a new JAMA Neurology Viewpoint article discussing COVID-19’s impact on health care delivery.

READ MORE »

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clinicians working with simulator

Simulations help clinicians prepare for COVID-19 intubations

Interactive medical simulations in ERs, ICUs help UF clinicians prepare for COVID-19 intubations.

READ MORE »

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Melanie M Nelson, P-h-D

Promoting positive behavior in children during COVID-19 crisis

Dr. Melanie Nelson offers tips for managing children’s behavior during the COVID-19 crisis.

READ MORE »

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Doctor Okun in the O-R

Commentary offers DBS recommendations

Dr. Michael Okun and co-authors' commentary in Journal of Parkinson's addresses challenges for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Tansey Lab preview

Pandemic’s effects on recruiting international STEM trainees

Article in The Scientist featuring Dr. Malú Tansey examines COVID-19’s impact on recruiting.

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Bizon/Notterpek

Transition in leadership: UF Department of Neuroscience

Longtime chair of neuroscience Dr. Lucia Notterpek accepts leadership role at University of Nevada; Dr. Jennifer Bizon takes the helm as interim chair.

READ MORE »

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Notterpek microscope

Notterpek leaves lasting impact on UF Department of Neuroscience

Dr. Lucia Notterpek served as chair of the department of neuroscience for more than 11 years.

READ MORE »

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Mitchell in lab

Renowned brain tumor researcher named CTSI director

Dr. Duane Mitchell named CTSI director; will lead UF’s efforts to move research discoveries to patients.

READ MORE »

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May 20: Zoom Into UF Neuroscience & Neuromedicine Research

Join our weekly online seminar with Dr. Karina Alviña's presentation, "The exercise-derived myokine irisin as a stress resilience molecule and potential neurodegeneration counteracting agent."

SEE FULL-SIZED PROMOTIONAL GRAPHIC »

JOIN THE SEMINAR (SEE GRAPHIC FOR PASSWORD) »

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M-R-I hoisted in the air

New MRI scanner crane-lifted into McKnight Brain Institute

The Philips MR Ingenia Elition 3T MRI scanner will enhance research efforts across the UF campus.

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MBI

MBI highlighted in Innovate Gainesville

Publication features innovators in communities throughout the world and highlights MBI’s mission and key research areas.

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Dr. Khanna and Dr. Hoh, neurologists and neurosurgeon, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery

Ingredients for surviving a stroke: rapid response, comprehensive care

Stroke experts Drs. Brian Hoh and Anna Khanna share an inspirational patient success story.

READ MORE »

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Proceedings of the Seventh Annual DBS Think Tank

Proceedings of the 7th Annual DBS Think Tank

Annual meeting hosted by UF develops collaborations and advances the field to improve patient outcomes.

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Doctors Cottler and Nixon

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study renews for additional seven years

UF among universities contributing to research program that will generate robust data about how young brains mature.

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tansey lab full sized

Parkinson’s expert highlighted for gut microbiome research projects

Dr. Malú Tansey and the CTRND were highlighted in the Spring 2020 Parkinson’s Foundation Report.

READ MORE »

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Carley Headshot

Fixel Institute clinician named Young Dietitian of the Year

Carley Rusch earned the honor from Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

READ MORE »

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Microscope

May 1-31: Request for UF Medical Guild grant proposals

Each year, the UF Medical Guild awards grants to area nonprofit organizations for community-based special projects directly related to wellness or patient care.

READ MORE »

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Image of a brain with superimposed connection points over it

Research Snapshots: Drs. Ron Cohen & Vaughn Bryant

Study demonstrates that individuals with past heavy alcohol use and HIV demonstrate functional connectivity differences in the brain.

READ MORE »

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Highlight your work with MBI’s Research Snapshots

Showcase your recent discoveries by pairing an impactful image from work in your lab — often associated with a newly published manuscript — with a brief description of what the image represents and how it has influenced your field of study.

READ MORE »

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Hoh_Kahn slider

MBI researchers in the spotlight

Journalists regularly reach out to our MBI members for their expertise on many subjects. If a reporter contacts you, please alert assistant director of communications Todd Taylor, science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee or UF Health media relations coordinator Ken Garcia so we can assist with, archive and promote your media endeavors. Here are recent examples of MBI researchers in the news:

• Dr. Michael Okun (The Washington Post) — She fell more than 30 times. For three years, doctors couldn’t explain why.

• Dr. Melanie Nelson (WJXT Jacksonville) — Promoting positive behavior in your kids.

• Dr. Steven Munger (CNN) — Many people lost their sense of smell weeks ago. They’re still waiting for it to come back.

SEE MORE EXAMPLES OF MBI RESEARCHERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT»

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Put your work on the national stage

Check out these recent Conversation pieces written by MBI members:

• Drs. Steven Munger & Jeb Justice — Is the loss of smell and taste an early sign of COVID-19?

• Dr. Michael Okun Ozzy Osbourne has a type of Parkinson's disease called Parkin

More than 100 UF faculty members have contributed to this online magazine, and it's a great opportunity to highlight your work. The Conversation reaches 5 million-plus unique readers monthly and then the articles go farther, often picked up by major outlets such as The Washington Post, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine and the Chicago Tribune.

Contact science writer Michelle Koidin Jaffee or assistant director of communications Todd Taylor with your ideas for The Conversation.

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Reminders from the Communications Team

Please become an MBI member (if you haven’t already), make sure you have a professional headshot, update your UF Health Directory profile and let our communications team know early and often when you have big news or research coming out of your area. All of these efforts will help us shine an even brighter light on neuro research at UF.

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