Connecting Neuroscience and Society
The Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at UC Irvine is committed to serving students and the community through our outreach programs directed by the Outreach Team of Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education; Dr. Morgan Coburn, Assistant Director of Outreach and Education, and Dr. Erin Purvis Conway, Civic Science Fellow. Our public lectures foster community engagement and understanding of the brain, learning, and memory. Our K-12 programs facilitate a new passion for neuroscience in the next generation of brain scholars. The CNLM Ambassador Program is a trainee-led neuroscience outreach, education, and training group run and founded by Dr. Oliveira Yassa. The Program not only serves the community, but also enriches its trainees by offering pedagogy, project management, and leadership training, teaching and scientific communication opportunities. Through their participation, Ambassadors broaden their connections in the field of neuroscience, foster community and identify outlets for engagement outside of the lab.
Mission and Vision:
- To advance public understanding of brain science
- To bridge the gap between neuroscience and society
- To inspire youth to pursue education and careers in STEM fields
- To broaden participation in neuroscience
- To foster an inclusive and supportive environment for CNLM scientists
CNLM Ambassador Program
The CNLM Ambassador Program aims to advance public understanding of brain science through outreach and educational activities. The engine of the program is the group of more than 100 UC Irvine undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who design, execute and evaluate meaningful activities on campus and in the community throughout the year.
School Tours and Visits
CNLM Ambassadors design, execute and evaluate school tours of CNLM laboratories and facilities throughout the year. Tours of the CNLM are available for students of all levels, including elementary school, high school and community college. The CNLM hosts nearly 1,000 students who participate in this program every year. These school tours have been a staple of our outreach to the local community. In addition to tours of CNLM facilities and laboratories, we also run programs off campus at K-12 schools. Both on-site and off-site programs feature demonstrations of real brain specimens (human, sheep, rodent), brain games, giveaways and educational materials. To learn more about the K-12 program please click here. To inquire about school tours, please contact us at explorethebrain@uci.edu.
McGaugh-Gerard Lecture on Learning and Memory
Our public lectures are free to the public and are meant to encourage community engagement with science and promote public understanding of the brain, learning and memory. The McGaugh-Gerard Lecture on Learning and Memory is held at the Irvine Barclay Theatre and attracts capacity audiences of community members, professionals as well as high school and college students. Attendees are provided with ample opportunity to interact with and ask questions of the speakers.
The Distinguished Lecture Series on Brain, Learning and Memory
The Distinguished Lecture Series on Brain, Learning and Memory was founded in 1995 by James L. McGaugh, Founding Director of the CNLM. The lectures are an integral part of the CNLM's outreach mission and are intended for a lay audience. The Distinguished Lecture Series on Brain, Learning and Memory is held at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The series is widely regarded as the most successful public lecture series at UC Irvine and in Orange County.
UCI Brain Camp
UCI Brain Camp was founded by Manuella Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education and run by the Center's outreach and education team, undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and staff that serve as Science Mentors, and Brain Camp alumni who serve as Junior Mentors. UCI Brain Camp is the only neuroscience summer camp in Orange County and one of only a handful in the world. The program will feature engaging, hands-on workshops, laboratory activities and experiments and will introduce students to the fundamentals of neuroscience, research methods, experimental design, data analysis, team science and scientific communication. Click here to learn more about UCI Brain Camp.
Brain Explorer Academy
The Brain Explorer Academy is the CNLM's flagship educational program for high school students. Founded by Manuella Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education and run by the Center's Office of Outreach and Education team. This 10-week program is ideal for high school students preparing for college as the program aims to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in neuroscience, biology, psychology, or medicine.
Irvine Brain Bee
The Irvine Brain Bee is hosted by the UC Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory's Office of Outreach and Education. Directed by Manuella Yassa, Director of Outreach and Education, the goal of the Irvine Brain Bee is to inspire high school students in Orange County to learn about the brain and provide opportunities for engagement with university students and professors. All Irvine Brain Bee competitors will have the opportunity to participate in a review sessions before the event.Click here to learn more about the Irvine Brain Bee.
SCYNA
CNLM Director of Outreach and Education Dr. Manuella Oliveira Yassa and current UC Irvine student, Nikhita Kaushik, built the foundation for what would become the Southern California Youth Neuroscience Association (SCYNA) – a platform for high school students to learn, actively participate in, and grow as aspiring neuroscientists. SCYNA aims to establish a community of neuroscience students to further their interest and passion in neuroscience and to fuel a fascination for the brain in the curious minds of younger children. Click here to learn more about Scyna.
CONNECT Initiative
The CONNECT (Collaborative Outreach Network for Neuroscience Education and Community Training) Initiative was born from a desire to create community for those who engage in science outreach and education and aims to foster collaboration and enhance resources in the field of Science Outreach and Education, creating impactful connections among educators, researchers, and the community. Click here to learn more about the CNLM CONNECT Initiatives.
NeuroBridges
NeuroBridges is a collaboration between the Office of Outreach and Education at the UC Irvine Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (CNLM) and Neuroboricuas, a non-profit organization that focuses in empowering young Puerto Ricans to engage in science and helps schools in Puerto Rico perform scientific research. Click here to learn more about NeuroBridges. Learn more about Neurociencia en Arroz y Habichuelas, NeuroBridges' interactive booklet designed to make brain science fun, accessible and relatable to Puerto Rican youth, here!
Evenings to Remember (E2R)
The Evenings to Remember series, supported by the Herklotz Lecture Endowment is a special event for our community supporters, the Friends of the CNLM. The dinner and lecture take place in an intimate setting in the CNLM Herklotz facility and the courtyard in the evening. These events provide an opportunity for our community to interact closely with CNLM faculty and learn about the latest research developments. To receive information on E2R events, you must be a member of the Friends of the CNLM Community Support Group. Attendance is by invitation only. Email memory@uci.edu to inquire.
Friends of the CNLM
The Friends of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory is the community support group of the Center. CNLM Friends enjoy a number of special benefits, including invitations to the Evenings to Remember, priority seating at our Public Lectures, special behind-the-scenes laboratory tours and more!
The extraordinary research happening at the CNLM has warranted frequent coverage by media outlets. Our research accomplishments are frequently covered by local and regional print media such as the O.C. Register and Los Angeles Times, national venues such as The New York Times as well as international venues such as The Times and The Guardian. CNLM Fellows have appeared in countless TV and radio interviews. Work at the CNLM has been frequently featured on CBS’s 60 minutes, ABC News’ 20/20, BBC News, and other media.