We're excited for #Flux2024! As we gear up for the conference, we've been fortunate to get insights from many of our amazing speakers about their upcoming talks. Here's a sneak peek of one symposium, chaired by Dr. Catherine Insel. Keep an eye on our blog for more previews, and don't forget to share your excitement for the event using #Flux2024.
Symposium III: Cross-Species Approaches to Understanding Adolescent Learning
Chair: Dr. Catherine Insel, PhD, Harvard University
Speakers: Dr. Linda Wilbrecht, Dr. Laura DeNardo, Dr. Juliet Davidow
Our symposium brings together cross-species approaches that help us understand how adolescents navigate decision-making and learning. In this session, we will discuss the time windows and contexts that bring out both strengths and limitations in adolescents' learning. Dr. Linda Wilbrecht and Dr. Laura DeNardo will present work that implements mouse models to understand how learning changes across development. These approaches allow for causal investigations and circuit manipulation, and these talks will reveal mechanistic insights about how brain development shapes learning from rules, rewards, and threats. Dr. Katie Insel and Dr. Juliet Davidow will present work on goal-directed learning in humans that implements neuroimaging and computational modeling. These talks will highlight the contexts in which adolescents exceed adults in learning, and the learning processes that continue to mature with age. The idea for this symposium was inspired by conversation during the Flux strategic task force meetings, when we discussed the importance of integrating methods and perspectives from human and animal research. We look forward to having a fruitful discussion, and we hope that these talks and conversations will build bridges between animal and human researchers to foster an integrative understanding of adolescent learning.
Article Written By
Kahini Mehta
Comcom Member
I am post-bac Software Engineer and Data Analyst with Dr. Theodore Satterthwaite at the University of Pennsylvania. While initially interested in journalism, I became drawn to neuroscience through the course of my education. I studied Psychology and English (non-fiction) at Brown University, where I grew increasingly interested in the brain-behavior interface. I also developed a passion for computational approaches towards questions of abnormal behavior. As a result, I completed my undergraduate thesis on interventions targeting different cognitive mechanisms implicated in depression via a Drift Diffusion Model. At UPenn, I grew to appreciate more neuroscience-based approaches to research. Currently, my research focuses on neuroimaging approaches towards cognitive mechanisms that are transdiagnostic in nature. My most recent work (which I presented at the 2023 Flux Congress meeting!) examines how individual differences in delay discounting in youth might be related with dorsal prefrontal cortex connectivity. As a trainee, I believe that Flux presents an excellent opportunity to connect with collaborators, mentors, and peers, as well as familiarize oneself with the latest work in the field. I am honored by the opportunity to be part of the Communications Committee and help disseminate information about Flux to other researchers in the field!