The BRAIN Initiative Neuroethics Working Group at NIH has drafted a document to “characterize the neuroethical implications that may arise as BRAIN Initiative investments produce new tool/neurotechnologies, and/or those tools/neurotechnologies are applied to advancing the goals of the NIH BRAIN Initiative.” They have posted it here and are requesting public feedback [...]
The CNS and the department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy will host Dr. Peter Reiner of the University of British Columbia, speaking on his current research project: “The mind in your pocket: On the neuroethical implications of smartphones as extensions of our minds." Tuesday, May 7, noon at the [...]
Deadline has been extended to May 3rd! BECOME A NEUROSCIENCE & SOCIETY UNDERGRAD FELLOW FOR 2019-2020! The Center for Neuroscience & Society at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking applications from rising Penn juniors and seniors for its new group of CNS Undergraduate Fellows for 2019-20. This program is intended [...]
CNS faculty Roy Hamilton and Adrian Raine filmed a segment of Nova yesterday, featuring their research using non-invasive brain stimulation to shift people toward more ethical behavior. Here they are with producer and cameraman over at Goddard!
Poets and Quants, a business school news site, named our own Diana Robertson among the 50 top business professors nationwide! A specialist in business ethics, who incorporates neuroimaging into her research, she has also won numerous teaching awards within Penn. Read about her here: https://poetsandquantsforundergrads.com/2018/11/13/2018-top-50-undergraduate-professors-diana-robertson-university-of-pennsylvania-wharton/
One of the fathers of cognitive neuroscience will be here on Tues, October 23rd, delivering the annual Philomathean Oration at 7:30 (free but tickets required) and joining us for lunch and conversation at the CNS at noon that day.
The Center for Neuroscience & Society has established an Undergraduate Fellows Program, in which a small group of highly motivated juniors and seniors explore the interface of neuroscience and society through reading, discussing, attending talks and writing. This year the program was launched with Hilary Gerstein as its Director. (For [...]
Join us on April 17 when Eric Kandel speaks about his life, from his Jewish roots in Vienna to his Nobel Prize winning neuroscience research in the US, with reflections on the relation between science and the arts. Hosted by the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic studies with co-sponsorship from [...]
The Center for Neuroscience & Society at Penn is seeking applications from rising Penn sophomores, juniors and seniors for its first class of CNS Undergraduate Fellows for 2017-18! Selected fellows will participate in a series of seminars, projects, and activities exploring the intersection of neuroscience and society, such as the [...]
The Center for Neuroscience & Society at the University of Pennsylvania is seeking applications from rising Penn juniors and seniors for its new group of CNS Undergraduate Fellows for 2018-19. This program is intended for students from any School or department who have identified an interest in exploring the intersection [...]
PIK Professor Michael Platt, a social neuroscientist who has just joined the faculty of the CNS, spoke recently on the neuroscience of political forecasting with another Penn PIK professor, Barbara Mellers. See and hear more here.
Each year, the CNS hosts a half-day retreat for all current and past students in the SCAN program. The 3rd Annual SCAN Retreat took place earlier this February. Students and alumni came together for lunch, followed by a series of student presentations in which a few students gave brief overviews of [...]
We are thrilled to announce a new position at the CNS, and a new person to fill it: Dr. Hilary Gerstein comes to us from the Society for Neuroscience in DC, where she worked to inform the public, including lawmakers and their Capitol Hill staff, about neuroscience. Her own neuroscience [...]
The Center for Neuroscience and Society at the University of Pennsylvania is Seeking a PhD neuroscientist with teaching experience to join us as a full-time Lecturer and Associate Director of the graduate certificate program in Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN). Details: Teaching load of 2 and 2, including one [...]
CNS faculty member Joe Kable's recent article in the Journal of Neuroscience, on predicting impulsive decision-making from structural MRI, inspired this provocative thought piece in Harvard Business Review.
The Franklin Institute will open its new permanent exhibit, Your Brain, on June 14th. We saw it, and helped with it, in development. But even we were stunned when we finally stepped inside. It is not just fascinating and comprehensive, it is gorgeous! Take your friends and family and go [...]
Dr. Martha Farah is interviewed on fMRI lie detection on this NeuroPod podcast.
Bioethics Commission Seeking Comments on Neuroethics. The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues is asking for public comment on the ethical considerations of neuroscience research and the application of neuroscience research findings. Comments are due on April 1.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry and the psychiatric aspects of jurisprudence, Penn Law Professor Stephen J. Morse has been selected to receive the Isaac Ray Award of the American Psychiatric Association. The award, one of the highest honors in its field, is scheduled to be presented [...]
2013 Boot Camp alumni Kevin Davis discusses the benefits of CNS Neuroscience Boot Camp for lawyers looking to navigate neuroscience-based legal claims in the American Bar Association Journal.
After examining the scientific evidence, CNS Advisory Board member Dr. Sanjay Gupta has reversed his position on medical marijuana, saying " It doesn't have a high potential for abuse, and there are very legitimate medical applications... We have been terribly and systematically misled for nearly 70 years in the United States, [...]
National Public Radio airs a segment on the growing use of ADHD drugs by healthy college students and interviews Martha Farah concerning the trend and associated risks (February 5, 2009). More Students Turning Illegally To 'Smart' Drugs
Penn Neuroscience Boot Camp participants describe the varied ways in which neuroscience is relevant to their professions on Reuters (October 15, 2009, “Brain science starting to impact varied fields”).
Adrian Raine discusses the puzzling brains of psychopathic killers on ABC News’ Nightline (August 25, 2010, ” 'I Am Hatred': What Turns Someone Into a Psycho-Killer?”)
Jason Karlawish explains how Alzheimer’s disease can manifest itself early in financial decision-making for the New York Times (October 30, 2010: Money woes can be early clue to Alzheimer’s”).
Jonathan Moreno addresses the costs and benefits of new predictive testing for Alzheimer’s disease in the New York Times (December 18, 2010, “Tests Detect Alzheimer’s Risks, but Should Patients Be Told?”)
Martha J. Farah tells Newsweek what stimulant medications can, and can’t, do to improve cognition in healthy people (January 3, 2011: “Can you build a better brain?”).
Stephen J. Morse analyzes the legal challenges associated with the insanity defense for the New York Times in connection with the Giffords shooting (January 12, 2011: “Legal strategy could hinge on mental ills”).
Martha Farah and Irena Ilieva discuss Adderall use at Penn in The Daily Pennsylvanian (February 16, 2011: "Beating the Adderall curve").
Adrian Raine discusses the implications of a biological basis of criminal and anti-social behavior in the Penn Current (February 17, 2011: "Neurocriminology: How early can we see a brain basis for crime?").