The second annual Cornell Neurotech Mong Family Foundation Symposium on Sept. 22 will feature three renowned neuroscientists who will discuss their research and techniques exploring the brain: Edward Boyden, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Catherine Dulac, Harvard University; and Thomas Jessell, Columbia University. Cornell Provost Michael Kotlikoff will offer opening remarks.

The symposium begins at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, and concludes at 5 p.m. with a public reception, and will be held in G10 Biotechnology Building. The symposium is free, and the public is invited.

Cornell’s leadership in exploring the brain was recently recognized with a National Science Foundation grant, which established the Cornell Neurotechnology NeuroNex Hub to research, develop and disseminate new optical imaging tools for noninvasive recording of neural activity in animals. The grant also established the Laboratory for Innovative Neurotechnology at Cornell, where engineers and biologists will collaborate to develop and test tools to explore the brain.

“We have three terrific speakers who are at the forefront of neuroscience and neurotechnology development. The symposium covers a wide range of topics, and will be interesting to anyone who wants to find out more about how our brains work,” said Chris Xu, the Mong Family Foundation Director of Cornell Neurotech and professor of applied and engineering physics in the College of Engineering.

“These prize-winning neuroscientists are some of the greatest brains on our planet, so their talks should be a treat for other brains,” added Joseph Fetcho, co-director of Cornell Neurotech and professor of neurobiology and behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The symposium is supported by a seed grant from the Mong Family Foundation, through Stephen Mong ’92, MEN ’93, MBA ’02, to Cornell Neurotech. The gift is intended to seed collaborative efforts across campus at the interface of technology and brain, as well as bring individuals at the forefront of neurotechnology to campus through the Cornell Neurotech Mong Family Foundation Symposium.

Linda B. Glaser is a staff writer for the College of Arts and Sciences.