FENS Voices: the brains behind neuroscience

Moving from the lab life to a career in graphic design is an intriguing twist in the life of a neuroscientist. Take for example the career evolution of Gil Costa, who obtained his PhD at the University of Coimbra to later become a Scientific Designer and Illustrator who helps neuroscientists translate their research into images.
In this episode, Dr Richard Roche guides the audience through Gil’s remarkable journey: from his start in academia to his first encounter with graphic design for a university theatre project, culminating in his present role as freelancer collaborating with numerous international journals and research centres. There is also a bit of FENS in this story, since Gil participated at the European Neuroscience Conference by Doctoral Students (ENCODS) meeting in 2015, where he held a workshop on graphic design for scientific projects, but most importantly where he first met the neuroscientist who would later become his wife!
While pointing out the differences between a career in graphic design and one in science, he also describes how a scientific background adds value to his work as an illustrator, and offers some helpful advice for those considering a similar jump from the academic career to the world of art and design.

The last episode on FENS Cast in 2023 brings you none other than Irene Tracey, current President of FENS and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Dr. Tracey takes Dr. Richard Roche and the audience on an unexpected journey, delving into her work on pain perception and consciousness. A discussion which highlights the transformative potential of fundamental research, showcasing its translation into tangible and practical applications.
Along the way, you will have a chance to glance at how pain looks like in the brain in normal and pathological conditions and how this has implications for anaesthesia and other related techniques, providing a unique perspective on the intersection of neuroscience and medical practices.
 
Beyond her scientific achievements, Dr Tracey opens up about her experience in balancing her identity as a scientist with various leadership positions she held and how these experiences led her to discover a rewarding world outside of the laboratory.
 
This episode offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into the evolving landscape of FENS. Join us to understand how FENS is adapting and transforming to confront the challenges that lie ahead.

In an exciting FENS Cast episode, neuroscience enthusiasts are in for a treat as Richard Roche joins Liset Menendez de la Prida, chair of the programme committee, and Balázs Hangya to provide a sneak peek into the highly anticipated FENS Forum 2024, set for 25-29 June in Vienna, Austria. This episode promises an intriguing glimpse into the minds of these outstanding researchers and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complexity of building a scientific programme and plans for next year's Forum.
The dynamic duo reveals the motivations that led them to join the FENS Programme Committee. Gain an understanding of the challenges faced while curating the Forum's scientific programme and the thought processes behind selecting from a pool of exceptional neuroscientists and research projects.
Listen to this new episode to get an exclusive preview of the topics covered in the Forum's Plenary Lectures and discover what Liset and Balázs are most excited about in the upcoming FENS Forum 2024, from meeting with their peers to learning new groundbreaking topics.

What is epilepsy? The answer to this question has puzzled humanity for centuries. From the Greeks and Romans associating seizures with divinity, passing centuries of social stigma to a recognised condition by the World Health Organization. During this new episode, Prof. Richard Roche and Dr Michele Simonato dive into the fascinating world of epilepsy research and discuss the latest discoveries, the historical social stigmas and new treatments.
Over three decades of research, Dr Simonato shares his experiences and contributions in the field, offering a peek into the ever-evolving landscape of epilepsy research and discussing new strategies and clinical markers used to predict seizures.
Join FENS Cast in this enlightening journey through the intricacies of epilepsy while aiming to increase awareness and understanding. Tune in now and be part of this enriching conversation.

Emotional resonance, social dynamics and the intricate web of neural circuits take centre stage in the new FENS Cast episode. Richard Roche delves into the groundbreaking research of Assoc. Prof. Ewelina Knapska, a visionary in the field of neuroscience and a member of the FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE). Discover her journey and all her scientific discoveries related to emotional contagion using animal models. 

Animal research involving the brain has already led to significant enhancements in human health. Animals are used as models to gain insight into the human brain and nervous system. Nonetheless, the brain is much more complex than any other organ, as it controls the functions of the rest of the body and is responsible for perception, communication and memory, all that we call behaviour. Find out why animal models are crucial for brain research from behavioural neuroscientist Anna Mitchell. 

The global impact of EJN with John Foxe
Discover the world of groundbreaking brain research with the European Journal of Neuroscience. Dr Richard Roche discusses with the EJN Editor-In-Chief, Dr John Foxe, the impact of the journal of FENS, which goes beyond European research and engages with the global scientific community. Championing diversity and promoting the latest research, EJN is a journal full of high-quality content and cutting-edge topics.
 

Richard Roche embarks on an exciting journey with Dr Kanaka Rajan, delving into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its connection with neuroscience and biology. Through a captivating discussion, Kanaka and Ricard will unravel the most important questions surrounding this area of research: how does AI learning differ from human learning? Can AI develop its own memory or even false memories? Let’s explore the potential of AI in the neuroscience and biology fields.

Have you ever wondered what makes you the way you are? What makes humans different? What is metacognition? Join Richard Roche and Kevin Mitchell to explore the intersection between philosophy and neuroscience in this new FENS Cast episode. Both neuroscientists debate the role of philosophy in understanding the nature of the mind, brain and free will, along with the moral implications of AI research.

How do gasotransmitters produced during neuroinflammation and oxid(nitrous) active stress contribute to neurodegeneration and brain repair? The phenomenon of injury-induced neurogenesis and its efficiency.
Richard Roche and Inês Araújo discuss the latest advances in establishing mechanisms to help identify strategies to repair brain damage.