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MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit

Using cognitive theory and innovations in neuroscience to understand and improve mental wellbeing across the lifespan

Science night 2025

Inside the Mind: Exploring the Human Brain

Date: Wednesday 19 March 2025

Time: 6pm – 8.30pm

Location: MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF

 

 

As part of the Cambridge Festival 2025, the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit are hosting a fun filled and educational open evening. Below you can find out a bit more about what to expect at our event.

Refreshments will be provided.

Experiments, tours and talks are suitable for all ages.

Prior booking is not required to attend this event, however, the maximum capacity is 100 people on a first come first served basis. Places on the MEG and MRI short tours are limited, and bookable upon arrival. 

 

 

Demonstrations & Interactive Activities

 

The first part of our open evening will provide guests with the opportunity to get involved with fun and engaging hands-on experiments and demonstrations. There will also be an opportunity to chat to our scientists and learn more about the Unit’s research. See below for a brief description of just a few of the excellent activities being hosted on the evening.

 

 

Visual World Paradigm

The Visual World Paradigm is a research method where people listen to spoken words while looking at images. Their eye movements are tracked to see how they understand language in real time. Come and try out our demo!

 

 

 

Brain Microscopy: Zooming in on the human brain

Zoom in on the brain through a microscope and visualise neurons and their connections. Discover how different microscopy techniques are used to study brain anatomy, physiology and pathology. 

 

 

 

Test your memory


Ever wondered if you would make a good eye-witness? Come try out a short memory experiment and see how accurately you remember things.

  

Ci-Fi experience

 

Discover key concepts about auditory perception, listen to some sound examples simulating cochlear implant processing and see the CI signal processing in real-time!

  

Third Thumb


Third Thumb: The Third Thumb is a 3D-printed, extra-robotic thumb that fits on the side of your hand and is controlled by your toes. You will have the opportunity to learn about what it means to have an extra robotic finger.

  

EMG demo


EMG (Electromyography), acts as a unique microphone for your muscles, revealing how they communicate, their levels of strength, and fatigue. Come and witness your muscle activity in real-time, and hear how this tool is used in research on phantom limb, and for learning to practice yoga.

  

 

Tours

Back by popular demand, we will be hosting five short tours of both the Unit’s MEG and MRI facilities.

Tours will start at 6.10pm, 6.35pm, 7pm, 7.25pm and 7.50pm
(please note the last two tours take place at the same time as the talks so only book on to these if you are happy to miss the talks)

Tour spaces are limited to 15 people per tour and a slot can be booked upon arrival on a first come first serve basis.

Click here to learn more about the MEG and MRI facilities. 

 

 

Talks

From 7.30pm – 8.30pm, our team of expert scientists will deliver four short talks on current research studies and findings. Click below to read more about each speaker and a short overview of what they will be sharing with you.

Georgia Turner – “Chasing likes: the psychology of reward pursuit on social media”

My name is Georgia Turner and I’m a third year PhD student studying the psychology of social media use. In my talk, I will explain how we use psychological research about reward learning in lab experiments, to understand how people pursue rewards such as ‘Likes’ on social media.

 

 

Rik Henson – “Why do some people remain cognitively able in old age? Investigating Cognitive Reserve in the camCAN sample”

I am Rik Henson. I am a Programme Leader at the MRC CBU. My research focuses on the ageing of the brain and cognition. I will be talking about some clues as to why some people “age better” than others. Clinicians have long known that two people can have brain scans that show similar levels of brain shrinkage, owing to old age or Alzheimer’s Disease, for example, yet one of them can appear to be functioning much better in terms of their cognitive abilities. This led clinicians to coin the term “cognitive reserve”. This talk will cover some of our attempts to identify other brain correlates of cognitive reserve (such as functional reorganisation, functional compensation, etc) and possible lifestyle contributors.

 

Estherina Trachtenberg – “Wired for connection: The neuroscience of loneliness and health”

My name is Estherina, and I am a postdoctoral researcher in the 4D Lab. My research focuses on the link between prosocial behaviour, social connectedness, and neurocognitive changes and their impact on physical and mental health. In my talk, I will discuss loneliness, the brain, and health.

 

Tammar Truzman – “Language and the brain: From post-mortem discoveries to AI-powered MRI”

My name is Tammar Truzman. I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Aphasia Lab at the MRC CBU. My work focuses on the implementation of machine learning techniques in post-stroke aphasia using neuro-imaging data. I will be speaking to you about language and the brain: From post-mortem discoveries to AI-powered imaging.

 

 

We look forward to welcoming you to the Unit on Wednesday 19 March 2025. 

Please contact Vicky Collins for more information.



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