Post by Carli Cox, undergraduate in Psychology/Rosenbaum scholar at Portland State University, NW Noggin Resource Council member for PSU, NogginFest organizer!
Our first ever virtual NogginFest went off without a hitch!
We had so much fun sharing our love of neuroscience, research, art, and music last Saturday night. We were thrilled to see such a wonderful turn-out of enthusiastic learners from all over the globe!
WATCH THE PERFORMANCE!
Thank you Ryan Rusby and Dustin Prisley at Portland State University for your extraordinary, skilled behind the scenes show wrangling!
LEARN MORE: Noggin Fest 2021!
LEARN MORE: What is NOGGINFEST?
We would like to give a huge “thank you!” to our sponsors: the Dana Foundation’s Brain Awareness Week Program and the OnPoint Community Foundation, along with everyone who purchased raffle tickets and Glial Gift Bags!
LEARN MORE: Noggin awarded Dana Foundation Brain Awareness grant!
We’d also like to thank Fort George Beer, Paxton Gate, Dale Marsh, Sienna Morris, Kanani Miyamoto, Lehuauakea, Cassie Ferguson, Kindra Crick, Michael Edward McGovern and Ear Trumpet Labs for their generous donations to our raffle prizes and art auction.
LEARN MORE: Want to own stunning original art?
And of course, to all of our artists, presenters, musicians, and volunteers who put in so much work to make this event possible – THANK YOU!
HEAR MORE: 2 8 Tha Native
LEARN MORE: Until the story takes shape
LEARN MORE: Stellaruse
LEARN MORE: Ryan Walsh Guitar
How do we age successfully?
The human population is getting older, notes Gail Stonebarger, so it’s critical to understand how aging affects the brain. Non-human primates, including the macaques Gail studies at OHSU, share many neuroanatomical and social similarities with people, and are thus a “clinically translational” population for research on what happens as we age.
Explore what Gail and other research scientists are discovering about aging primate brains, and what this suggests about healthy aging for all.
LEARN MORE: Gail Stonebarger
How many types of vegetables should you eat each week?
“What is an immunologist doing at NogginFest?” begins Dr. Heather Zwickey, a celebrated expert on neuroinflammation at the National University of Natural Medicine. “Neuroinflammation,” she explains, “starts in the gut!”
So how does our microbiome – essential organisms which thrive in our gastrointestinal system – influence how we think, feel and behave? How does what we eat influence our mental health? Who has the least diverse gut on our planet? Do microbes release neurotransmitters? How many different types of vegetables should you eat each week?
Discover fascinating research on the gut brain axis!
LEARN MORE: Dr. Heather Zwickey, National University of Natural Medicine
The promise of psychedelics
“In Oregon we are kind of at the center of the psychedelic renaissance,” begins Dr. Chris Stauffer, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at OHSU who specializes in the treatment of PTSD and substance use disorders in both Veterans and LGBTQI+ populations.
What is psilocybin? How does it affect the brain? What has research revealed about its psychoactive, and also therapeutic effects? What did Oregonians just vote on regarding the clinical use of psychedelics?
How can you become a psychedelic psychotherapist?
LEARN MORE: Dr. Chris Stauffer, OHSU
LEARN MORE: Psychedelic Portland
LEARN MORE: A less self-centered and more creative life
Science for all!
Dr. Theanne Griffith is not only a celebrated neuroscientist studying mechanisms of thermoreception at UC Davis, but also a popular author of engaging science-minded books for kids!
Listen to Dr. Griffith as she follows the adventures of Violet, Pablo and Dr. Crisp from her “Magnificent Makers” book “Brain Trouble” (of course :). She also shows us how to bake our own colorful noggin – and runs an on-screen experiment exploring what sound actually is!
WE LOVE THIS: Art, science, stories, experiments & brains!
LEARN MORE: Dr. Theanne Griffith, UC Davis
LEARN MORE: Dr. Theanne Griffith, neuroscientist and author
LEARN MORE: Magnificent Makers
ART AUCTION
WATCH NOGGINFEST!
If you weren’t able to make it to NogginFest this year, don’t worry! We have the event recorded so it can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home for years to come!