POLINA POTOCHEVSKA, [email protected] The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Neuroscience 2018 conference is the world’s largest neuroscience conference for scientists and physicians who are devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. To be held Nov. 3-7 at the San Diego Convention Center in California, SfN’s 48th annual meeting allows 30,000 attendees from over 80 countries to network with peers, learn from experts, explore innovative neuroscience tools and technologies, and discover career opportunities. The conference will host four Presidential Special Lectures, seven featured lectures, and 14 special lectures by leading neuroscientists in the field. The Presidential lecturers include Vivian Budnik, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts Medical School, presenting The dArc Matter of Synaptic Communication; Catherine Dulac, Ph.D., of Harvard University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, who will present Neurobiology of Social Behavior Circuits; Daniel Choquet, Ph.D., of CNRS and the University of Bordeaux, will present From Nanoscale Dynamic Organization to Plasticity of Excitatory Synapses and Learning; and Dr. Bryan L. Roth, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, presenting From Salvia Divinorum to LSD: Toward a Molecular Understanding of Psychoactive Drug Actions. Neuroscience 2018 also will host a wide range of symposia and minisymposia to discuss current research topics. They will cover themes such as neurodegenerative disorders, sensory systems, integrative physiology and behavior, and cognition. Four Basic-Translational-Clinical Roundtable discussions are being held to examine research and encourage debate and conversation from clinician-scientists of all levels. Topics include molecular therapies for neurological diseases, neuroprosthetic devices from the patient’s perspective, rapid antidepressant action, synaptic mechanisms and clinical aspects, and improving the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease to develop effective treatment. The event will feature a Meet-the-Clinician-Expert series, as well, giving attendees a behind-the-scenes look at factors that influence a clinician-scientist’s work through a variety of sessions. These include, How to Make Your Work/Life Relevant, presented by Dr. Y. Joyce Liao, Ph.D., and Optogenetically Inspired Deep Brain Stimulation (Opto DBS) for Novel Indications, presented by Dr. Christian Lüscher, Ph.D. Other workshops hosted at Neuroscience 2018 will include the Neurobiology of Disease Pre-Conference session, professional development workshops, the Animals in Research Panel, a Social Issues Roundtable, multiple poster sessions, and networking events. Clinicians-scientists also can receive Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits by attending CME-designated lectures, symposia, and roundtables. Certified by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, physicians gain a broad overview of the field, as well as more detailed information about recent research on mechanisms, treatments, and diagnoses of conditions related to neurological and psychiatric disorders. They also can learn about new discoveries regarding the brain and nervous system. SfN’s annual meeting allows attendees to gain knowledge about desirable physician attributes, as well. In addition, Neuroscience 2018 will host a graduate school fair, allowing prospective students and their advisers to meet with representatives from neuroscience graduate programs. Dozens of professional development and networking events will be held, in conjunction with more than 100 satellite events. There also will be an extensive exhibition featuring over 600 exhibitors showcasing new tools, technologies, and publishing opportunities. The general exhibit categories are biochemical and reagents, computer related instruments, laboratory equipment and supplies, optical/imaging instruments, physiological instruments, publishers, and pharmaceutical companies. Some of the many exhibitors include Hopstem Biotechnology, Enzo, Bruker Corporation, Kent Scientific Corporation, Mad City Labs, Inc., PeproTech, Inc., and Vector Laboratories, Inc. For more information about Neuroscience 2018, visit https://www.sfn.org/annual-meeting/neuroscience-2018.
