The Power of Early Brain Development

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Sloka Iyengar (https://www.slokaiyengar.net/), a renowned neuroscientist, will explain the science behind brain development, connections made in the brain during early childhood, and the impact of factors like maternal health, nutrition, and safe, nurturing environments in early childhood development. We will also look at the neuroscientific basis of seizures, autism spectrum disorders, and other neurological disorders.

Dr. Iyengar's passions lie in the power of science to change the world for its most vulnerable populations, and the importance of communication to affect that change. She has always been fascinated by the brain as the organ that controls all that we sense, feel, and do. It was during her work at a spay-and-neuter shelter in India that this fascination took an even more keen form which led her to pursue graduate studies in neuroscience.

For Dr. Iyengar's Ph.D. and postdoctoral work, she examined neuronal circuits that lead to the generation and propagation of epileptic seizures. Wanting to use her scientific training for more direct public impact, she worked with adults and children with refractory epilepsy to develop better therapeutic strategies. This work led to the approval of cannabidiol (CBD) for certain epilepsy syndromes.

In the recent past, Dr. Iyengar has realized the impact that science and effective science communication can have, and the critical need for science geared towards public good. It is also clear to her that she has an obligation to use her scientific training for direct public impact. To do this, she works with collaborators in India and the US in the areas of patient advocacy and communication, dementia, palliative care, harm reduction in substance abuse disorders, and post-traumatic epilepsies. She has a track record of excellence in projects spanning major pharmaceutical clients, non-profit organizations, and academia. Her areas of focus are mental health and substance abuse, aging and palliative care, and neurological disorders.

As an award-winning Bharatanatyam performer and practitioner, Dr. Iyengar believes that the arts have an important role to play in society. As a practitioner of dance and science, she has created productions that explore the many points of convergence between dance and neuroscience.

Dr. Iyengar is sponsored by ReadyNation/Council for a Strong America (https://www.strongnation.org/readynation/our-work/brain-science-speakers).

####### To Attend the Meetup via Zoom #######
The zoom link for this event is https://zoom.us/j/92799601400. This will be the link for all our meetings this year.