Neuroscience High School Summer Camp Schedule
10:00am to 4:00pm
WEEK ONE
M 7/13
Introduction to the Brain and Central Nervous System
Dr. Jed Shumsky, course director of Medical Neuroscience, will provide an
overview of the neuroanatomy of the brain and central nervous system. In the afternoon,
students will work in lab groups to identify structures on an actual human brain.
T 7/14
Spinal Cord Injury and Rehabilitation
Dr. Veronica Tom, a researcher in spinal cord injury, will describe the structure
and function of the spinal cord, detailing various sensory and motor pathways and the
consequences of spinal cord injury. In the afternoon, students will work as amateur
neurologists to solve clinical cases involving various brain and spinal pathologies.
W 7/15
Speaking Honestly – Animals Research Education
Amanda O’Hare and Rebecca Spangenberg from the Pennsylvania Society for
Biomedical Research will describe the procedures for how animals are used in research
labs and the value of animal research. In the afternoon, students will have the opportunity
to view a rat spinal cord surgery, nerve grafting, and electrophysiological recording of
nerve activity.
Th 7/16
Nerve Conduction and Cellular Neuroscience
Dr. Jed Shumsky will give an overview of how nerves transmit information via
electrical signaling and some examples of how this can be studied by electrophysiological
methods. Senior graduate student, Olga Mozgova, will give a lecture about how neurons
differentiate, sprout axons, and form synapses on the cellular level. In the afternoon,
students will view demonstrations of various electrophysiological and cellular techniques.
F 7/17
Sensory systems
Dr. Francis Sessler, co-director of Medical Neuroscience, will describe the human
sensory systems, comparing and contrasting the various receptors, transduction
mechanisms, and pathways leading to sensory perception. In the afternoon, students will
explore visual illusions and sensory discrimination capabilities.
WEEK TWO
M 7/20
Neuropathology and Cortical Trauma
Dr. Tim Cunningham, a researcher in neuro-inflammation, will give a lecture on
cellular markers, causes, and treatments of neurodegenerative diseases such as
Alzheimer’s disease. Senior graduate student, Lauren Hanlon, will describe cortical
function and the effects of cortical trauma. In the afternoon, students will select and
begin their group lab projects.
T 7/21
Neuropharmacology
Dr, Jed Shumsky will describe the neurotransmitter receptor systems and how
these have been used to design pharmacologic treatments for psychiatric disorders.
In the afternoon, students will work on their group lab projects.
W 7/22
Finalize Lab Projects
Students will spend the day completing their group lab projects and working on
creating a powerpoint presentation.
Th 7/23
Comparative Neuroanatomy
Dr. Haviva Goldman, anthropolgist and course director of Microscopic Anatomy,
will describe how the brain and skull have developed in various species. This will be
followed by a Field Trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University for a
behind the scenes tour of the museum and then to the Franklin Institute to see the new
Brain exhibit.
F 7/24
Brain Machine Interfacing
Dr. Simon Giszter, researcher in the neurorobotics and motor systems, will
describe recent advances in the field of how the brain can control machines such as
prosthetics for rehabilitation. In the afternoon, students will present the results of their
projects, receive certificates of completion of the NHHSC, and provide feedback on their
experience through a course evaluation.