The human brain is the most complex organ in the body, responsible for all thoughts, memories, emotions, processing of sensory inputs, control of motor outputs, language, consciousness, and more. The brain’s intricate network of billions of neurons and glial cells and trillions of synaptic connections allow for the incredible diversity of our experiences and behaviours. In this workshop, participants will learn about the macro and micro structures and functions of the brain through hands-on dissection of a sheep brain and examination of the wide variety of morphologies of neuronal and glial cell types with light microscopes.
About the Speaker
Dr. Bruce McKay is the Dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, and Dean of the Wilfrid Laurier International College, at Wilfrid Laurier University. Dr. McKay’s research focuses on recreational psychoactive drug use, with particular interests in trends in undergraduate student alcohol and other drug use (with studies emphasizing cannabis, MDMA, nootropics and the use of psychedelics), relationships between alcohol and drug use and academic outcomes, the reasons underpinning recreational alcohol and drug use by students, harmful outcomes associated with excessive alcohol and drug use, and harm reduction. Dr. McKay completed his PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Baylor College of Medicine.
Presented by Laurier