Join us for an exciting and inspiring neuroscience event hosted by the Mind Science Foundation, featuring some of today’s brightest rising stars in brain research. A panel will be led by Ben Rein, PhD, Chief Science Officer at the Foundation, a Stanford-trained neuroscientist and award-winning science communicator.

Dr. Rein is widely recognized for his research on social behavior and has earned accolades from the NIH, Society for Neuroscience, and Sigma Xi. He is also the author of the upcoming book Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, which will be released by Penguin Random House on October 14, 2025. All event guests will receive a free hardcover copy, signed upon request.

The panel will showcase the 2025 Mind Science Foundation Award Winners, each presenting groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of the brain.

Agustina Aragon-Daud, PhD student at the University of Liège, explores the mysterious phenomenon of "mind blanking"—what happens in the brain when our thoughts seemingly disappear.

Eti Ben-Simon, a postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley, investigates the cognitive consequences of sleep loss, particularly its impact on our ability to process information and resist misinformation.

Iris Garcia-Pak, an MD-PhD student at UC San Diego, dives into the role of the blood-brain barrier in brain excitability and Alzheimer’s disease, presenting innovative pathways that may unlock future treatments.

This dynamic event not only highlights innovative neuroscience but also puts the power in your hands: the audience will decide the winner of an additional $10,000 Audience Choice Award.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from emerging leaders in brain science and help shape the future of research through your vote.