The 55th Annual Michigan Society for Neuroscience Conference at Wayne State University 

Wayne State University proudly hosted this year's MI-SfN event, bringing together science, advocacy, and community.

🔍 What is MI-SfN?

The Michigan Society for Neuroscience (MI-SfN) is Michigan’s local chapter of the National Society for Neuroscience!

💡 Did you know that our local chapter is actually older than the national chapter?

🎓 Showcasing Research: Ujala Janjua’s Poster Presentation

We were thrilled to have our Lab Manager, Ujala Janjua, present her research on Autonomic Arousal During Fear and Safety Learning in Youth at one of the poster sessions.

👩‍🔬 Her presentation highlighted our lab’s core mission: identifying biomarkers of risk and resilience for posttraumatic stress and anxiety, especially in youth populations who have been historically marginalized or excluded from scientific research. 

🗣️ Science with a Voice: Panel on Advocacy and Communication

In addition to the poster session, we hosted a compelling panel discussion on Science Advocacy and Communication. led by:

• Dr. Ruvvy, Our Director

• Edmund Alyn Jones, Director of Communications, Marketing, and Outreach

• Natalie Snider-Hoy, PhD candidate in Cancer Biology

🎙️ This panel emphasized a critical truth: science doesn’t end in the lab—it needs a voice. It’s not enough for scientists to communicate with one another; we must also be able to connect meaningfully with the broader community and lawmakers to highlight the real-world impact of scientific discovery on health, quality of life, and future innovation. 

This event was a powerful reminder that advancing science means not only conducting rigorous research, but also stepping forward to share, advocate, and engage with the world around us.💡

📢 Why Advocacy Matters: A Call to Action

At Michigan Society for Neuroscience, we learned about novel research on: 

• How our experiences shape the way we perceive and respond to the world around us.

• Ways to optimize treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder, a condition that affects roughly 7-10% of the general population.  

• How the environment influences lifespan and health. 

• . . . and so much more! 

A significant portion of this research is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The funds that the NIH provides not only help generate foundational knowledge and new treatments for disease, but also empower individuals with jobs and train people into new careers.  

🚨 These health and economic benefits are now at stake.  

The president’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year proposes a drastic 38% CUT to the NIH, which would cause serious economic harm and be detrimental to the health of the American people.  

✍️ Take Action Now

Join us in telling Congress to REJECT the proposed 38% cut to the NIH budget. 

SIGN THE LETTER from Research America to add your voice to the fight:  

• Read the full letter here 

• Sign the letter here 

🧠 Mind Over Matter

A youth-led panel focused on uplifting young voices and expanding access to mental health resources in Detroit.

📅 Wednesday, May 28
🕕 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Coleman A. Young Recreation Center

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