Overview
Now in its 11th year, the Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences gathers science reporters for an annual, daylong event focused on a single research topic. Journalists enjoy firsthand access to Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers and physicians, getting the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in health, medicine and science. Past events focused on topics ranging from sensory biology to epigenetics to pain and tissue regeneration and the brain to metabolism research and the immune system and immunology. Nearly 100 journalists and science writers from all regions in the U.S. and Canada have attended this exclusive event.
Who Can Attend
The Science Writers' Boot Camp is open to science communicators of all types including writers, journalists, bloggers and public information officers. To join our email list for information about our events, please contact us at writersbootcamp@jhmi.edu.
Speakers
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Richard Huganir, Ph.D.
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor and Director of the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience
The Space Between Neurons: Where Developmental and Mental Health Disorders Begin
When a single mutation wrecks the tiny space between neurons in the brain, where key messages about memories and learning are traded, a developmental disorder called SYNGAP1 begins. What researchers have learned about this disorder and how to potentially treat it may also reveal new insights on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other neurological conditions.
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Mollie Meffert, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry and Neuroscience
Deep-Diving into the Brain, Where Faulty Connections Offer Insights to Disease
Zoom in to the microspace connecting neurons to see what happens in the brains of people with cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease
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Joshua Vogelstein, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Computational Medicine, Center for Imaging Science, Institute for Data Intensive Engineering and Sciences
Open Access to the Brain: a Computer "Connectome" Links Brain Images in Fine Detail
What can we learn from connecting databases of brain imaging data? The Open Connectome Project is an ambitious endeavor to visualize the brain in extraordinary detail, one neuron at a time. Learn more.
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Joshua Sharfstein, M.D.
Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement, director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Stemming the Opioid Epidemic with Science
Policy and population science expert Joshua Sharfstein will discuss a basic conundrum: Some of the most popular efforts to address the opioid crisis do not work, while approaches based in science can be deeply unpopular.
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Michael I. Miller, Ph.D.
Bessie Darling Massey Professor and Director, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Director, Center for Imaging Science, Co-director, Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute
Engineering the Future of Medicine: Predicting Alzheimer’s Disease
At Johns Hopkins University, the Department of Biomedical Engineering is Engineering the Future of Medicine by developing the technologies that cure disease. Dr. Miller will present highlights from his own research, which uses computational medicine approaches to improve the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease years before the onset of clinical symptoms.
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Vikram Chib, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering
The Motivation Problem: Learning What Drives Depression and other Neurological Disorders
What motivates us? Understanding the connection between motivation and behavior can help scientists develop better treatments for neurological and psychological impairments.
Panelists
Words Matter: how language and images in reporting on addiction can perpetuate its stigma
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Joshua Sharfstein, M.D., Moderator
Vice Dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement, director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
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Kenneth Stoller, M.D.
Director, Johns Hopkins Broadway Center for Addiction, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
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Maia Szalavitz
Author of Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction. Addiction Narratives (PDF).
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Emma Beth McGinty, Ph.D.
Deputy Director of the Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy Research and the Associate Director of the ALACRITY Center for Health and Longevity in Mental Illness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Stay Connected
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