4th Annual Central Massachusetts Regional Brain Bee
The 4th Annual Central Massachusetts Regional Brain Bee Competition was held on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at the UMass Chan Medical School. Sponsored by the Society for Neuroscience, the Dana Foundation and the Department of Psychiatry's Brudnick Neuropsychiatric Research Institute at the UMass Chan Medical School, the annual Brain Bee brings together high school students from across Central MA to compete in a spelling-bee type quiz of brain facts. The test is made up of a written portion consisting of three sections: multiple choice, brain “dissection”, and patient/actor presentation of symptoms; followed by an oral testing round for the top ten scorers.
Thanks to the enthusiastic parents and science teachers from these area schools, this year's Brain Bee is the largest in Central MA history, with 53 students from 9 schools competing for the Andrew Sheridan Young Neuroscientist award. The first place winner, Rajyalakshmi Pyda, of Worcester Academy, will represent Central MA at the National Brain Bee Competition in Baltimore, MD, in March of this year. Best wishes to Rajyalakshmi!
Special thanks to Dr. Julie Pilitsis, our keynote speaker who presented a talk entitled “Deep Brain Stimulation: Where We Are At and Where We Are Going”, and Dr. Sheldon Benjamin, Master of Ceremonies. Thanks to the students and staff at the Department of Psychiatry who coordinated the 2010 Bee: Linzy Hendrickson, Nicki Fox, Marcy Laakso and Kristen Coulibaly; and students, staff and Residents who volunteered for this special event! Your commitment made this a great success!