Behavioral Research Advancements
in Neuroscience (BRAIN)
The Atlanta NET/work - click here for more details
Join us for BRAIN 2012!
See below for details.
If you are interested and ready for a great summer neuroscience research experience, consider applying for BRAIN. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, hard working, detail oriented, and who want to engage in cutting edge neuroscience research. Some accepted Fellows will be working at the molecular or cellular level in laboratories, others will be working with small animals and some may be collecting data and doing research at outdoor field sites. Projects may include day or evening work. Be a part of an exciting summer research experience!
If you are accepted into the BRAIN program, you will be randomly placed into one of two program formats (and notified on acceptance about your program format). One format called "LeftBRAIN" is a similar to a professional program for practicing scientists offered at Woods Hole, Cold Spring Harbor, or Friday Harbor, in which BRAIN Fellows work in a single lab facility with a rotating team of outstanding instructors to develop skills using various research techniques such as behavior analysis, pharmacology, electrophysiology, and/or molecular biology. The other format called "RightBRAIN" is an individual lab format, in which Fellows work with individual Mentors to join ongoing research projects using techniques available in the Mentors’ labs. Both program formats conclude with a poster presentation describing a research mini-grant proposal you prepared (LeftBRAIN) or the research project you joined (RightBRAIN) at a BRAIN Research Symposium.
Behavioral Research Advancements in Neuroscience is the hallmark program of the undergraduate education arm of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience (CBN), a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center. The program consists of a 10-week summer research and education experience. BRAIN grows naturally from the scientific and education missions of CBN's member institutions, which are committed to increasing student interest in behavioral neuroscience and, ultimately, in the pursuit of research and other science careers (e.g. science policy, science education, and science journalism).
TENTATIVE Dates for Program Applicants
- Program dates: May 23 - August 4, 2012
- Application available online: November 1, 2011
- Application deadline: January 13, 2012 (Mail-in materials must be postmarked 1/13/12 or earlier)
- NET/work application deadline February 17, 2012
- Applicants will be notified of status (invited, waitlisted, declined) beginning March 12, 2012; the waiting list will remain open through April.
Important Notice: If you are accepted into the program, then the selection committee will place you in one of two program formats: LeftBRAIN or RightBRAIN. You will be notified of your placement when you receive your acceptance letter.
Program Formats:
- The LeftBRAIN format is similar to a professional program for practicing scientists offered at Woods Hole, Cold Spring Harbor, or Friday Harbor, in which BRAIN Fellows work in a single lab facility with a rotating team of outstanding instructors to develop skills using various research techniques such as behavior analysis, histology, pharmacology, electrophysiology, and molecular biology.
- The RightBRAIN format is a traditional lab rotation format, in which Fellows work with individual Mentors to join ongoing research projects using techniques available in the Mentors' labs.
Program Benefits
- An intensive, first-class research experience in the biomedical or behavioral sciences
- Mentoring from eminent scientists at Georgia State University, Emory University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Georgia Institute of Technology, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morehouse College
- Weekly seminars on special topics to prepare students for success in research programs
- The skills necessary for the successful pursuit of a doctorate degree
- The BRAIN program provides students with a $3,000 stipend and housing on either Georgia Stat University or Emory University's campus. Students are, however, responsible for the majority of meals, gas (if they rent or drive a car while in Atlanta), and their travel costs to and from Atlanta.
Eligibility Criteria
- Enrollment as a full-time student in a 2- or 4-year US institution for BRAIN; enrollment at Georgia State University, Emory University, Spelman College, or Agnes Scott College for NET/work.
- Previous BRAIN participants are ineligible to apply.
- Minimum B/C grade point average in science coursework; overall GPA of 2.7 or higher. (Exceptions to the GPA requirements may be made for those students who have had previous research experience and/or a strong sense of future goals).
- Students may not be enrolled in any summer courses or hold a job during the duration of the BRAIN program.
- Must be able to attend the entire BRAIN Summer Program
Application Requirements
- Beginning November 1, 2011 you may request a MyCBN User Account. Go to http://db.cbn.gsu.edu/fmi/iwp/res/iwp_auth.html. Log in as a Guest (no username or password; just select "Guest Account".) Once logged in as Guest, click on the "BRAIN_Applicants_Start_Here" link. Follow the directions in the web form. A username and password will be sent to you via email after two business days following your request. You will then be able to access the BRAIN 2012 Online Application. The last day to request a MyCBN User Account for BRAIN 2012 applicants was 1/10/2012. The last day to request a MyCBN User Account for NET/work 2012 applicants is February 15, 2012
- If you have received MyCBN login credentials in this or any prior year, DO NOT fill out a new requets. Instead, send an email to brain.applications@gmail.com to request reactivation of your username and a reset of your password.
- Once you receive your login credentials, go to the BRAIN online application form and log in to begin completing the online portion of the application.
- Send in an official copy of your current undergraduate transcript. Mail by 2/17/2012 to: Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, c/o Liz Weaver, PO Box 5030, Atlanta, GA 30302-5030.
- Email your resume or CV in PDF format to BRAIN APPLICATIONS (brain.applications@gmail.com). Make sure the PDF file is named exactly like this: First initial, last name, and "resume" (example student name: Elizabeth Weaver:eweaverresume.pdf)
- Email two letters of recommendation to BRAIN APPLICATIONS (brain.applications@gmail.com). These emails must come from your recommenders' email address (not from your own email address). At least one recommender must be a science instructor or advisor. Note: The email subject line from your recommender should read (example student name Elizabeth Weaver): Letter of Recommendation: Elizabeth Weaver
- Be sure to request your letters of recommendation and transcripts as soon as possible (should be done immediately so as to avoid delays over the holidays).
Contact Us:
(The best way to reach us is via email. Phone calls will not be returned)
For general BRAIN Program questions:
Liz Weaver, MS
eweaver1@gsu.edu
Kyle Frantz, Ph.D.
kfrantz@gsu.edu
For technical questions concerning the BRAIN application:
Rob Poh
rpoh@gsu.edu
BRAIN 2012 FAQs
BRAIN 2012 Poster
Photo Gallery
|
