Mind, Matter, and Mechanisms: A Look into Brain Function and Evolutionary Biology

Fear is essential to our survival because it helps us recognise and avoid danger. However, our environments are dynamic - situations that were once dangerous may become safe, while new threats can emerge at any time. How does the brain calibrate fear and avoidance in response to changing information? This talk will focus on the neural circuits underlying avoidance learning and explore the implications of dysfunction in these circuits.

Neurons get all the fame—but what about glial cells? Long thought to be just the “glue” holding neurons together, glia are now emerging as key players in how the brain works. They shape neural circuits, regulate behavior, and may even hold clues to brain evolution. In this interactive talk, I’ll show you the fascinating world of glial cells—from astrocytes to oligodendrocytes—guided by stunning imagery and insights from modern neuroscience. You’ll be part of the experience: vote for your favorite glial type, ask questions, and help steer where the talk goes. Come rethink what brain cells can do—glia might just surprise you!

Animals display a huge diversity of behaviours, often even between closely related species. However, it is difficult to determine the molecular changes which have contributed to these evolutionary events. To overcome this, we investigate different round worm species which despite their small size and simple appearance have surprisingly varied and sophisticated behaviours. These includes diverse feeding abilities such as grazing and predation as well as other behaviours like cannibalism and kin-recognition.