Communication Skill

"Communicating research findings is a critical professional skill and Vanderbilt Brain Institute's Neuroscience Graduate trainees have many opportunities to develop their communications skills."

Neuroscience Retreat: Each spring, in April or May, Vanderbilt Brain Institute's Neuroscience Graduate Program coordinates a Neuroscience Retreat. Neuroscientists from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development gather at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Museum of Art for a day filled with brain-related talks, games, music, poster sessions, and great food. The purpose of the Retreat is to foster communication among laboratories within and beyond the Neuroscience Ph.D. Program.

Speakers from Vanderbilt's own neuroscience community relate ongoing research projects and future plans, and a keynote address on a topic of general interest is presented by a director of a renowned neuroscience program. A graduate student poster session allows trainees and faculty to enjoy learning about and discussing the many varieties of neuroscience research being conducted at Vanderbilt in a relaxed and informal setting. Not only do these interactions stimulate new insights and collaborations, presenting scientific data and ideas at the Retreat increases graduate student confidence and poise in presentations at national meetings.

**Vanderbilt's 10th Annual Neuroscience Retreat**

Neuroscience Discussions Course (NURO 325): This course is required of all first-year Molecular and Integrative Track students. The content of the course is diverse and includes opportunities for students to present research questions being addressed in their laboratories and the projects they will be working on during their training.

The Neuroscience Student Organization (NSO) provides students with the opportunity to discuss their research with fellow students. The NSO also sponsors an annual Spring Neuroscience Seminar.

National Meetings: Senior neuroscience graduate trainees are encouraged to present their research at national scientific meetings and the Vanderbilt Brain Institute Neuroscience Graduate Program may be able to underwrite some or all of expenses associated with such presentations.

Additional Opportunities: Vanderbilt and Meharry Medical College have formed a neuroscience educational alliance that fosters communications between faculty and trainees at these two institutions, including formal and informal gatherings where trainees may have opportunities to present recent research findings. Also, trainees may have the opportunity to represent their laboratory by presenting ongoing research to prospective Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. recruits.

Vanderbilt Brain Institute Neuroscience Prior Retreat Photos