University of Verona

The project proposed by the University of Verona for the Brain Awareness Week 2017 was titled “The Brain for and from all ages”. The objective was to elicit attention on brain research from citizens of all ages. We therefore started by visiting Ippolito Nievo primary school.Kids demonstrated their curiosity about the general structure and function of the human brain but what caught their attention was the explanation of the development of nervous system and of the reasons why their brains are so good at learning. After the lecture time, kids had the opportunity to be engaged in enjoyable activities to apply knowledge. During the second day, we visited the Catullo junior High School to talk about the concept of attention with regard to which brain areas are responsible for this executive function as well as the differences between males and females in the attention task. In the course of the practical session, students participated in a typical experiment. The Educandato Agli Angeli High School hosted the third event of our Brain Awareness Week. 14-18 year old students are often confronted with addictive behaviours. During the event, the basic questions were centered on: why it is so easy to fall and so difficult to quit and what strategies might help to educate or re-educate the brain. We then moved on to adults; a round table discussion was organized for teachers and parents. We explained how we can take advantage of new research on the brain mechanisms of learning and memory for the kids. Last but not least, we enjoyed the final day of the Brain Awareness Week with the students of a continuing education university. My brain is old but it still works! We had so lovely feedbacks…..

We had a very very good feeling. All audience was so happy to know new advances in Neurosciences and also to share opinions. We would like to share with you some lovely feedbacks….. “Grazie! La conferenza è stata per me e mio marito davvero interessante e illuminante. Leggeremo attentamente l’opuscolo e… Impareremo a invecchiare meglio! Complimenti per la vostra iniziativa e cordiali saluti.” “Buonasera a voi, ho ricevuto il vostro opuscolo, grazie. Sono io che devo ringraziare sperando che la

In my opinion this activities must represent a very important part of a Researcher life. I often was said: “you are loosing your time. You need to focus in experiments and paper publication” I do not think so at all, but we might find a way to find a balance in cv requirements for advancing in your career.

For personal reason I do not use Facebook. Very little. I prefer LinkedIn (more professional). This is the reason why I really do not manage very well Facebook