Community tunes in to learn about ‘The Craving Brain: Food and Drugs’ during Brain School
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute sees record attendance, both in person and virtually, for its 11th annual celebration of brain research.
Nearly 200 people packed into the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC during Brain Awareness Week activities in March for exhibits, tours, talks, brain-healthy food and programming around brain science and its role in helping people lead healthier lives.
Another 140 alumni and friends from 22 states registered to participate virtually to view the Brain School panel discussion “The Craving Brain: Food and Drugs” and learn more about research taking place in Roanoke.
Brain School at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute is Virginia Tech’s official recognition of the global Brain Awareness Week, held every year in March.
Director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute’s Center for Health Behaviors Research and the research institute’s Addiction Recovery Research Center, Professor Warren Bickel, and Associate Director of the Center for Health Behaviors Research, Assistant Professor Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, talked about how Type 2 diabetes medications, commonly known by trade names such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, have been linked to weight loss and reduced alcohol cravings.
A discussion with the audience was led by Michael Friedlander, executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and Virginia Tech’s vice president for health sciences and technology.
“The entire program and the week of activities are emblematic of true volunteerism - giving your own time and passion back to the whole community with nothing expected in return,” Friedlander said. “But every year, the community returns that effort with enthusiasm and friendship, and we are extremely grateful.”
Graduate students who are part of the Science Outreach Program at Virginia Tech in Roanoke shared their science at the Monday night event and took the show on the road during the week. With support from Fralin Biomedical Research Institute faculty and staff graduate students shared lessons on the brain with 991 students at seven different schools across the Roanoke community.
They visited Lincoln Terrace and Monterey elementary schools; Woodrow Wilson Middle School; Glenvar, Hidden Valley and Northside high schools; and the Roanoke Valley Governor’s School for Science and Technology to share their enthusiasm for neuroscience.
Gabriel Isaac, a graduate student in the lab of Assistant Professor Wynn Legon, talked to high school students about focused ultrasound – a new tool to understand and treat neurological disorders.
“The students were full of great questions and very good insights,” Isaac said. “I would start a question, and tons of hands would shoot up. They were so sharp and energized, I anticipate great things from them. They may be destined for exciting careers in neuroscience.”
