Through a collaborative effort by the University of Louisville, Greater Louisville Medical Society and the Louisville Women in Medicine and Science (L-WIMS), students participated in a variety of health-sciences sessions at the Kentucky Science Center.

Dr. Sara Petruska and two third-year medical students, along with Kevin Martin, director of the Paris Simulation Center, conducted an OB/GYN workshop and demonstration utilizing the Lucina Delivery Mannequin. Petruska serves as the steering committee chair for L-WIMS and also as its designated representative to the Group of Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS) at the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC).

Martin has participated in the R!L program at the Kentucky Science Center for at least three years.

“I always enjoy speaking with future students and having the Science Center as a backdrop is nice,” he said.

In addition to the simulator work session, the students participated in a variety of activities, including:聽

• Galvanized Skin Response (GSR): A reaction demonstration whereby students were connected to a device that monitored their GSR level as they were exposed to both scary and soothing images.
• See Your DNA: Students extracted DNA from their saliva using salt water, dish soap and alcohol.
• Anatomy of Vision: Students were provided visual models and engaged in discussion about visual sciences to learn more about their own vision.聽
• MakerPlace 3D Pen Cardiac Design-Build: Students were challenged to create a device that could help clear clogged arteries and used 3D pens to connect the “arteries.”聽
• Heart Monitoring Technology: Students were shown the latest in heart-monitoring technology.

For their work, the Louisville group was named the 2017 chapter of the year by the 聽earlier this month at the organization鈥檚 annual meeting in Washington, DC.

The Society for Neuroscience is an organization of nearly 38,000 basic scientists and clinicians in more than 90 countries who study the brain and nervous system. The Louisville SfN chapter includes nearly 300 members, about 280 of whom are faculty, staff and students at the University of Louisville. Members also represent Bellarmine University, Morehead State University and Northern Kentucky University.

The SfN presents its Chapter-of-the-Year Award in recognition of a chapter鈥檚 accomplishments in outreach to the public, providing neuroscience resources for K-12 education and advocacy for issues related to research and science.

The Louisville chapter organized or participated in more than 30 events between June 2016 and July 2017 related to this mission. Members hosted 25 minority high school students interested in health professions for a tour at UofL, held a seminar to encourage middle school girls鈥� interest in STEM-related careers, developed 鈥淏rain Days: An Interactive Neuroscience Experience鈥� at the Kentucky Science Center, and helped organize the local March for Science in Louisville. The club estimates that through these and other events, 171 volunteers helped educate more than 5,000 people about the field of neuroscience.

In addition to the chapter award, the group鈥檚 outgoing president, Kristofer K. Rau, PhD, earned the organization鈥檚 for junior faculty for his efforts to share neuroscience with the public through communication, education and outreach activities. Rau, a senior research associate in the UofL Department of Anesthesiology, spearheaded community outreach efforts for SfN鈥檚 Louisville chapter designed to increase science education and literacy focused on nervous system function and careers in neuroscience research. Rau helped to establish adult education programs, initiated neuroscience awards at regional science fairs, and prepared materials and mobilized volunteers for a walk to end multiple sclerosis.

The Louisville SfN chapter will receive $3,000 for the two awards.

The event was part of (R!L), an annual week-long event focused on medical research in the Louisville Medical Center.

Instructors said the students enjoyed the one-on-one stations in the lab where they had the opportunity to speak with medical students and instructors, as well as the hands-on mini-labs where they could ask questions and see structures first hand.

The R!L event at the Kentucky Science Center is sponsored by the University of Louisville and the Jewish Hospital & St. Mary鈥檚 Foundation/KentuckyOne Health, and organized in collaboration with the Greater Louisville Medical Society and Louisville Women in Medicine and Science (L-WIMS).