McGaugh-Gerard Lecture on Learning and Memory
Steve Ramirez, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University
"From Moments To Engrams"
October 1, 2026 - 7:30PM
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Event Description
What if memories weren’t just something you recall, but something scientists can actually reshape? Join us for the 4th Annual McGaugh-Gerard Lecture on Learning and Memory by Dr. Steve Ramirez, revealing how memories are formed, stored, and even modified in the brain. In this talk, you’ll learn:
• The recent advances in modulating cells processing specific memories in the context of healthy and psychiatric disease-like states.
• How researchers can lastingly modulate neural circuits to influence a range of both healthy and maladaptive neurobehavioral states.
• Novel avenues for molecular, circuit, and systems-wide interrogation of the physical basis of memory in the brain.
Discover how his work is opening new possibilities for understanding and treating psychiatric and neurological conditions.
About Dr. Steve Ramirez
Steve Ramirez is an Associate Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University and a former Junior Fellow of Harvard University. He received his B.A. in neuroscience from Boston University and began researching learning and memory in the laboratory of Howard Eichenbaum. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in neuroscience in the laboratory of Susumu Tonegawa at MIT, where his work focused on artificially modulating memories in the rodent brain. Steve's current work focuses on imaging and manipulating memories to restore health in the brain.
Both in and out of the lab, Steve is also an outspoken advocate for making neuroscience accessible to all. He's passionate about diversifying and magnifying the voices in our field through intentional mentorship -- an approach for which he recently received a Chan-Zuckerberg Science Diversity Leadership Award. Steve has also received an NIH Transformative Award, the Smithsonian's American Ingenuity award, National Geographic's Breakthrough Explorer prize, Forbes and Technology Review's Top 35 Innovators Under 35 award, and has given a TED talk. He cheers for all sports teams Boston!
The McGaugh-Gerard Lecture on Learning and Memory
The McGaugh-Gerard lectures are made possible by the McGaugh-Gerard Endowment that was established by Dr. James L. McGaugh and the family trust of the late Dr. Ralph W. Gerard. The lectures are free to the public and are intended to encourage public education, scientific discourse and exposure to world class science.
Drs. McGaugh and Gerard were friends and colleagues who shared a mutual respect for one another as well as for their research in neuroscience. Dr. Gerard arrived at UC Irvine in 1964 and helped founding Chancellor Daniel G. Aldrich, Jr. organize the new campus. He was appointed the first Dean of the Graduate Division. Dr. McGaugh also arrived at UCI in 1964 and was interviewed by Dr. Gerard for the position of founding chair of Psychobiology, which is now known as the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior. Of Gerard, Dr. McGaugh remarks “I felt privileged to know him, as he had a highly distinguished career in physiology and was one of the founders of the Society for Neuroscience. After he retired he invited me to meet with him in his home on Friday afternoons for many interesting discussions of science, campus activities and other matters.” It is a fitting tribute to Gerard’s memory and the two scholars’ friendship that this lecture bear their names together.
About the Venue
The McGaugh-Gerard Lecture on Learning and Memory series are held at the Irvine Barclay Theatre and are FREE and OPEN to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served for those who have registered. Registering online does NOT guarantee a seat. Please plan to arrive early. Doors to the lobby open at 6:30PM. Doors to the theatre open at 7:00PM. Parking is available for $10 in the lot adjacent to the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Please click here for directions.
There will be fun booths with raffles, brain games, giveaways and even a real human brain that you can hold in the lobby!